Frogging Hookset Issues

[XF15-Loader]

I spent the most part of last summer frogging.  I'm by no means a pro but I've caught my share of bass on topwater frogs.  

 

Jump forward to this year.  I'm still slaying em on frogs but the hook set is lacking.  Recently I've noticed that the hook(s) aren't penetrating the fish but they're hooking the skin of the inside of the mouth. 

 

Because of this I'm having trouble getting the hook free without tearing up the skin in the fishes mouth.  Do you think it's a hook set issue, a hook sharpness issue, or a timing issue?

 

Suggestions?

[d-camarena]

Bend the hooks out just a little

[papajoe222]

If you're hooking the skin on the inside of the mouth, it's a hook sharpness issue. Your hook point penetrates the skin, but then follows the bone forward until the angle to penetrate it is too sharp. Easy to correct, sharpen the hooks.

[d-camarena]

What frog are you using?

[XF15-Loader]

7 hours ago, d-camarena said:

What frog are you using?

Mostly Spro.  I learned a while ago that you've definitely gotta bend your hooks out on em but, I think your hard pressed to find a better walker.

 

As for my issue, I think @papajoe222 is on to something there.  I have plenty of frogs but usually end up with the same 2 or 3 tied on.  

[Scarborough817]

5 hours ago, XF15-Loader said:

Mostly Spro.  I learned a while ago that you've definitely gotta bend your hooks out on em but, I think your hard pressed to find a better walker.

 

As for my issue, I think @papajoe222 is on to something there.  I have plenty of frogs but usually end up with the same 2 or 3 tied on.  

then it may just be time to replace them 

[sully420]

Just replace the hooks on your most used frogs every spring

[XF15-Loader]

Thanks for the suggestion, gents.  Any recommendations as to hook types?

[fishballer06]

What line and rod are you using? You need a heavy powered rod with braid to effectively drive the hook home on a frog whenever you're 40+ feet out. 

[XF15-Loader]

1 hour ago, fishballer06 said:

What line and rod are you using? You need a heavy powered rod with braid to effectively drive the hook home on a frog whenever you're 40+ feet out. 

Lew's Super Duty on a St Croix Mojo Bass MHF with 50# braid.  This is the first year I've fished with this setup but considering I was using a Falcon Buccoo MHF and a Lew's MB w 50# braid, you'd think I was stepping up a notch.  

[beginningfisherman]

I've run into this problem as well. Is it possible to sharpen the hooks without replacing them?

[fissure_man]

@XF15-Loader Your fingernail is a better check on hook sharpness than internet opinions (as helpful as those may be )... Before changing hooks, have you confirmed that your hooks are actually dull?  

 

@beginningfisherman yes you can sharpen them.  Downside is you may end up with a weaker point that will roll or dull more easily, and you might have trouble getting them as sharp as a new, premium hook.  

[the reel ess]

Might I suggest you try a new Booyah Poppin' Pad Crasher? Out of the box, it's the best I've useed, but I did bend the hooks out a bit and trimmed the legs. If you want to walk it, it walks easier than most regular frogs, I guess due to the shape. But you can stop it every now and then and pop it, then start walking. It's two frogs in one. It's great o the pads, but seems to get open water strikes a little better.

 

Frog hooks won't stay sharp forever. The roof of a bass's mouth is a pretty tough surface.

[TxHawgs]

I must have almost 40 fish on frogs this yr, almost all in the 5 to 7lb range. My favorite frog bar none R2S Bully Wa 1 & 2. Combo 7' 1" NRX HF - 16 Shimano Metanium 8.5 & 60lb Sunline FX2. I don't think I can recall any being hooked in and out the lips like a worm hook. My fish are hooked inside the mouth, in the roof of the mouth through the tounge ect. I always wait to feel the fish before hammering them, by then they have inhaled the frog. So I don't understand why you guys are talking as if they should be hooked like a worm hook through the lips with a frog. Am I misunderstanding what is being said or?

[Montanaro]

If you has no issues last year

 

But issues this year...

 

Its likely a hook sharpness issue unless youve changed your tackle or have had an injury that changed your hookset.

[XF15-Loader]

26 minutes ago, TxHawgs said:

I must have almost 40 fish on frogs this yr, almost all in the 5 to 7lb range. My favorite frog bar none R2S Bully Wa 1 & 2. Combo 7' 1" NRX HF - 16 Shimano Metanium 8.5 & 60lb Sunline FX2. I don't think I can recall any being hooked in and out the lips like a worm hook. My fish are hooked inside the mouth, in the roof of the mouth through the tounge ect. I always wait to feel the fish before hammering them, by then they have inhaled the frog. So I don't understand why you guys are talking as if they should be hooked like a worm hook through the lips with a frog. Am I misunderstanding what is being said or?

Yes, you're misunderstanding what's being said. Last year I fished almost exclusively frogs.  I've tried just about every frog on the market with the exception of R2S.  I prefer Spro and have historically had great hook sets with one or both hooks penetrating the upper jaw between the mouth and eyes.  I find that waiting a 2 count ensures the fish has taken the frog, cleared the air and has it solidly in it's mouth.  

 

Fast forward to this year, using the same technique, my hooks aren't penetrating. They hit the roof of the fishes mouth and basically filet the skin off of them prior to coming to rest hooked in the skin.    As I said, I usually use the same 2-3 variations so the hooks may be getting dull as suggested.

5 minutes ago, Montanaro said:

If you has no issues last year

 

But issues this year...

 

Its likely a hook sharpness issue unless youve changed your tackle or have had an injury that changed your hookset.

Nope...I cross the eyes every time.  I often catch flack from my buddy because I'm a tippy toed, over the head, pull the fish from the water type of hook setter...lol