Lost a big fish.....what's my next move?

[BassB8Caster]

22 hours ago, Kid Catch said:

What kind of frog were you using? A soft bodied frog like a scumfrog/spro etc? or a Ribbits style soft bait? It sounds like youre throwing a soft bodied bait, in which case best I can offer up is to trim the legs (if silicone strand) and that a lot of soft bodied lures using a 2-prong often benefit from a bit of tension in opposing direction. 2 pairs of needlenose will open up them up just fine. If you're going to do this be sure to hold the hook low on its shanks and open the gap with even pressure. That'll keep the body from bunching up and preventing a good hookset. I'm sure you've caught plenty of frog bass so you know the whole hookset deal, waiting for the pressure and all that jazz.  

i use the booyah popper hollow body frog. It does have the long silicone strand "Legs". On my last frog (same kind) that i put into a tree, i did cut the legs. But honestly, i dont see any difference in results. I have yet to cut the legs on the new one. I do need to bend the hooks up a bit. I tried a little while out on the kayak one day, but they didnt bend much. I will do a better job on land with the right tools. As far as the setting the hook issue....yes i do know about waiting. But do i always? No, i get too d**n excited. It seems like im either right on the money, too early, or actually waiting for it to take it, allowing it to surface back up when they dont take it. No real consistency yet. But i do love fishing it. So i will improve the more i fish it. Just something about that topwater blow up that makes you excited to set the hook. 

[Kid Catch]

4 hours ago, BassB8Caster said:

i use the booyah popper hollow body frog. It does have the long silicone strand "Legs". On my last frog (same kind) that i put into a tree, i did cut the legs. But honestly, i dont see any difference in results. I have yet to cut the legs on the new one. I do need to bend the hooks up a bit. I tried a little while out on the kayak one day, but they didnt bend much. I will do a better job on land with the right tools. As far as the setting the hook issue....yes i do know about waiting. But do i always? No, i get too d**n excited. It seems like im either right on the money, too early, or actually waiting for it to take it, allowing it to surface back up when they dont take it. No real consistency yet. But i do love fishing it. So i will improve the more i fish it. Just something about that topwater blow up that makes you excited to set the hook. 

Ha. If there's one thing I'm better than you at, it's completely butchering a frog pickup. Bet you anything. 

I started fishing the scumfrog about the time I was able to grow a "scum-stache" actually, - (ya know, that horrible, fruit-mold looking mustache you start growing when you're like 16 and feeling all cool about it), Til this very day I miss largemouth on soft bodied frogs about 40% of the time. Just not any good with them regardless of line type or rod/reel. I throw a walking bait, that's sorta my go-to thing every day. It's the one style of topwater fishing that I've found that flat out gets 2nd, 3rd, sometimes 4th bites from the fish. They just rail it and it'll deadstop both hands for a sec. I'm sure you've had topwater fish knock slack into your line... fast forward to 2:13 it this:  VIDEO. Striper, hit it swimming faster than I was working it across top, big bow in the line, wasn't paying attention and I blew it. Saw the fish too. I don't handle those moments well.

[N Florida Mike]

I had a near perfect day going last saturday , had caught several nice fish.Stopped to throw a frog at a dock and a big fish rolled and ate it.He was 3 feet from the dock near deep water and heavy weeds all around.I pegged him good, felt him for a second, and the line broke.All I could do was sit there and say how?? a few times.Knot was good, drag was set, no nicks that I knew of.It happens .Sometimes you just cant make sense of it.

The dock where this fish was has plenty of cover, and deep water around.Im sure the fish will probably stay there.Im planning round 2 soon!!

[BassB8Caster]

There is just something about nature, whether it be fishing hunting etc that brings out some inexplicable things. I'm a believer in things happen for a reason. Having said that, the reason for me losing these big fish escapes me. Why oh why? Maybe a bigger one is on the way? Let's hope. I can think back to the first topwater day this year. It was with a super spook jr.  I just bought it this year. That day I was like 7 for 8. Only missed one hook up. Did I learn patience over the off season? Had it finally sunk in? Nah. Lucky. I've come back to Earth. Last night I was 2 for 5. Too antsy. Had nice blow ups on the spook but yanked too early. I did catch a decent one where I got it to bite twice. First bite it hit the lure and knocked it up in the air. Judging by that I never thought it would hit again. 

I have had my line snap once. Just exploded on a hook set. 12 lb mono. Lost a chatterbait.  Next cast tied on a square bill, hooked up with a monster. Got her close to shore, she turned to go out deep and she was gone. Just like that. Like she knew what she was doing. Of all the fish I wish I could have back. It's that one. She was beeeg. That's what keeps us going, never know what the next cast will bring.

[Larryd daniels]

On 6/10/2016 at 10:28 AM, the reel ess said:

I did it just last night. There's nothing you can do about that particular fish. You've lost her for the outing and you might have educated her to the evils of the frog. That fish in all likelihood won't be in that spot next time. 

I lost a big atleast 8 out of kayak by a down log went a week later same log same fish same story lost her again I'm hoping the 3rd times a charm