Losing fish on frog

[DanC]

I am wondering if it is normal to lose a lot of fish on frogs. I haven't done a study but I would guess that I lose about 50 % of the fish that I actually hook on a frog. Most of them within a few seconds. Up until now I have been using a 7'6" heavy rod with a 7. Something to 1 real with 50 lb power pro. I will be switching to a 7'4" St. Croix Mojo rod once it comes because my current rod broke. I always wait to set the hook about a second or two. I always assumed that it was normal to lose a lot of fish but lately watching videos it seems like it might not be as common as I think. I mostly use scum dog which is a scumfrog but a little bigger snd walks like a zara spook. 

[Molay1292]

Keep the hooks sharp, braided line and a stout rod.  The rest is technique, maybe try another frog and see if it helps.  

 

[Onvacation]

Remember, not a lot of videos show people losing fish because we can all do that.  

[Bluebasser86]

Check this thread out for some advice on hooking and landing frog fish.

 

[Coonedawg]

On 7/27/2016 at 11:20 PM, DanC said:

I am wondering if it is normal to lose a lot of fish on frogs. I haven't done a study but I would guess that I lose about 50 % of the fish that I actually hook on a frog. Most of them within a few seconds. Up until now I have been using a 7'6" heavy rod with a 7. Something to 1 real with 50 lb power pro. I will be switching to a 7'4" St. Croix Mojo rod once it comes because my current rod broke. I always wait to set the hook about a second or two. I always assumed that it was normal to lose a lot of fish but lately watching videos it seems like it might not be as common as I think. I mostly use scum dog which is a scumfrog but a little bigger snd walks like a zara spook. 

Put these on and you'll catch 9 out of 10 blowups. 

[DanC]

It doesn't get stuck?

[Bluebasser86]

13 hours ago, DanC said:

It doesn't get stuck?

I think it's going to depend on the type of weeds you're fishing. I couldn't fish them through the water willows I fish, but if you fish weeds that lay flat on the top you should be alright. 

[Coonedawg]

15 hours ago, DanC said:

It doesn't get stuck?

It hasn't in anything I've fished it in yet, but I don't throw mine in thick pads. I've been overly impressed with them since a buddy of mine turned me on to them. 

[DanC]

e en with just the hooks that are on the frog I gut hung up sometimes. I will try them though. Thanks. 

[WIGuide]

How hard are you setting the hook? I've seen lots of people lose them because they don't set it hard enough. Sticky sharp hooks and a soft body that collapses well are also imperative. Try out a Booyah Pad Crasher and see if you're still struggling. 

[corn-on-the-rob]

You seem to be set up with the right equipment so like WIGuide said, are you setting the hook hard enough? 

Also, after the hookset you need to be dragging is bigmouth butt up and out of the cover immediately and with force.

[YoTone]

id kill for a 50% hook up ratio

 

[Ersteman]

I've also lost some fish on frogs, even after reading these forums.  If you are determined to frog fish, then go for it.  But another presentation might be just as satisfying.  I'd rather spend my time with presentations that work better for me.  I have just as much fun seeing topwater blowups on other topwater baits and my hookup rates are 95%+.

[MassYak85]

Scum frogs IMO are relatively soft, so I'm not sure if switching up frogs will do any good. I still think Pad Crashers are about as good as it gets for collapsibility though. Your gear seems right too. I would say it may have something to do with technique, not that 50% with frogs is downright terrible, but you could probably get it higher. I usually fish mine with the rod very high up, so that when I see a fish blow up on it I can drop the rod to let them take it, then I reel up to make sure they actually did take it and didn't completely miss (which they do sometimes), then as soon as the slack is gone and I feel the fish on I hit 'em hard. This whole process usually takes up about 2 seconds, there is no extra "counting" or "wait time" thrown in. 

[WPCfishing]

You will develop a feel for your timing. Stick with it.. Every hit is different...

if your going to buy a rod look at the Lews HM85 Magnum Grass. It has great casting distance and accuracy and tons of hook setting power. There's nothing like the thud from a solid set!

[flyfisher]

go fishing at night and i bet your hookup rate increases.  you won't be able to see the hit which makes you instinctively want to set the hook...you will be forced to feel the fish.  I know it has helped me in my frog fishing this year 

 

[fishwizzard]

I fish mix of hollow bodied frogs and plastic frogs. The hollow ones get more hits, but less hookups, the plastic ones get less hits, but I get far better hookups.  

My solution is to just river fish for smallies until the weeds die off. 

But really, I think my issue is using too light of a rod, but sometimes I swear I get two or three good pulls in only to have the fish spit it.  I am starting to wonder how many of my hits are from snapping turtles instead of bass.  The main pond I frog in is full of them and I landed a monster of a snapper there last year.  

[greentrout]

What I enjoy about Major League Fishing is to hear some pro's say I'm not a frog guy but acknowledge another pro as a frog guy. It's a skill some seem to grasp better than others.