A Frog Man I Am Not

[Spankey]

Guy just looking for your thought or experience on this. 

 

As the title says I'm no Frog man. Clearly a technique that I've overlooked and really have never incorporated into a lifetime of my bass fishing. I have no intention to be the next Ish Monroe just give my bass fishing one more angle of approach. 

 

My current baitcaster setups are more geared toward Crank baits. To layout serious cash for a frogging setup would be nice but I can't right now. Got a wedding and a fishing trip coming up. More interested in picking up some frogs and getting back into a few of these areas. 90% of my time I'm on the river. I have not dedicated the time and effort on this type of structure river or lake other than weightless worm approach which has yealded some fish.

 

I have a MH 7' Fast 1 pc. spinning setup that does not get used a lot of use and was thinking about respooling with a 40 lb. braid and mono leader and give some 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 oz. frogs a shot. I realize you frog guys are doing this with a casting setup. Just looking for opinions as to whether my current approach might be do-able. Will try what you suggest. Thanks for your response and help. 

[kylek]

While not ideal, I am sure it will work.  I wouldn't use a mono leader for this.  Straight braid!

[Jacob Phelps]

You can make it work if you're unable to purchase a setup geared more for frog fishing! You don't need a mono leader for frog fishing, straight braid will be fine.

[RichF]

I'm a big frog fisherman and though your setup isn't ideal, it will definitely work.  I have a buddy that is 100% capable with baitcasting but prefers to use a 7'0 MH Mojo spinning rod and 30lb braid.  He throws a frog a lot and is pretty good at it.  I tell him he's crazy but it works for him.  It might be difficult to pull fish from super heavy vegetation but other than that, you'd be fine.

[budgetbassin]

I fish 1/4 oz frogs often on a medium action spinning rod with 20lb braid in really thick grass mats. You should be okay with your setup. Just lose the mono leader.

[SFL BassHunter]

Your setup should work just fine. It also depends where you are fishing though.

 

I use 40lb braid on my bank fishing rod and reel because its an all round casting set up. MH Fast, and I use it for everything except super finesse and punching. The 40 braid works fine in most places. Now if I was going to some very heavily vegetated areas, with huge pad fields, I am taking my H Fast rod with a reel spooled with 50 or 65lb.

 

Mono leader is not needed at all. The frog requires a strong hookset. The impact on your line between the fish hitting the frog viciously and your hookset could easily snap your line to line knot.

[MassYak85]

I'd go straight braid but otherwise I don't see why that wouldn't work. Definitely not ideal depending on the cover in your area but it will get you bites, hookup might not be the best but some fish is better than no fish. Have fun, it's probably one of my favorite ways to fish. 

[Angry John]

40 lb braid should get you going, i would not go lower as the hookset during frog fishing is generating a lot of shock and lighter braid does not deal with that very well.  Spro makes a smaller popping frog that i fish on a medium casting rod and 40 pound braid that may be worth a look.

 

[Spankey]

The replies from you guys is great appreciated. Last night I stripped my spool back some to get some Power Pro or what I can find at the tackle shop. I have some 20 but that's too light. Will go with the 40. Rod is a MH and should handle it fine.

 

I'll ditch the idea of the mono leader. As mentioned I'm not up to any speed with frog fishing. Just associated it to topwater fishing a hard bait. 

 

Here's my take on frog fishing. Out east here I'm getting a lot of rain now. I'm a river rat for the most part. These rains have been keeping me off the river. Forcing me to switch gears. Been fishing one of the two lakes as of lately. Catching fish but nothing to post about yet on here. I know the river situation will eventually straighten out but I'm not gonna set around and wait. I have a boat and like to use it. I kills me to see it set in the driveway during the winter with snow on my cover. Lake fishing it will be for now. 

 

Well to the frogs. The lakes have their share of grass, pads and forms of bulrushes. I have to have frogs at my finger tips if I find myself fishing these lakes more than normal. I'm catching juvenile bass in these lily pads now on worms and slider grubs. I just feel this frog fishing is going to be necessary soon when nicer bass make it their home for the summer. These lily pads have booco bluegills in there now. Bigger bass have to want to be in there at some time or another.  I have to give this grass an honest effort. I believe that Mr. Big will be in there. I'll go in there in stealth mode.  I believe he can be gotten in that stuff at 5:00 in the am. on a frog.

 

Thanks again for all the help. 

 

 

[CTBassin860]

Straight braid no leader.40# would be fine in open water,50# if your throwing in the slop.I honestly can't think of a funner,more exciting way to catch bass than frogging.Its all about the blowup.