Frog frustration!

[MrFrost]

I noticed a huge decrease in missed blow ups when I got a dedicated frog setup.  I got a 7'3'' Heavy/Fast, paired with braid.  There is little to no give, with the stiff rod, and line that doesn't stretch, so if the fish has a good bite, you can count on a hook set.  

 

I have dedicated a considerable amount of time to frog fishing in the two months I've been fishing.  I have learned how to watch the water/cover around my frog and sometimes you can actually see movement signalling an incoming fish.  It's really cool when you can see the strike coming!

 

Being so aware, I have actually learned to really watch the blow ups, and I noticed something that I don't see talked about much, either on here, or on YouTube, so I'm not sure if I'm right, or if I'm crazy, but I have started to determine that some of the missed blow ups I've had, are actually not bass at all, and are large bull frogs.  

 

Having hooked one I can guarantee they go for the bait, lol.  And I am convinced that some of the smaller blow ups are frogs attacking the bait.  I have witnessed one frog literally stalk my bait, and jump from the pads onto the top of the frog!

 

You can also bend your hooks up, not a lot, but slightly open up the angle on them, and they will catch a little better, but I don't do that to my new frogs now that I have a dedicated setup that takes a good amount of "work" out of it for me.  

 

It's definitely a learning process, but it is well worth it for the fun involved.  I personally love to hunt lilly pads!  Before you know it, you'll be having fun with it!  I have a spot that is so perfect for "frog" fishing, I don't even need a frog anymore, lol...

 

 

[bhoff]

I don't agree with the no waiting thing but I feel like some people get the wrong idea. Waiting for me means seeing the blow up and giving the fish maybe a second to take the bait in better. I'm not looking at the watch and counting out 10 seconds or something. This differs from say texas rig or jig fishing where my reaction is nearly instant when I feel the bite.

[MrFrost]

I feel like everyone is different.  If you notice that you're setting the hook and your frog is flying back towards you, your reaction times are probably on the fast side, and you would benefit from slowing yourself down slightly and allowing a pause long enough for the fish to close it's mouth so you can set your hook. 

 

If you find that you go to set your hook and there is no resistance, well then your reaction is too slow, and the fish has already spit your bait.  You'd benefit from speeding up your reaction by setting your hook more immediate.  

 

Even if you get your reaction times dialed in perfect, you will still have some missed blow ups for any number of reasons, but that's part of the thrill of the hunt.