What is your approximate hook-up ratio with toads ?

[scaleface]

I use toads because they are about the only thing that will work in algae and moss , but my hook-up ratio is horrid . I bet its close to 25% .   The problem seems to be the bass not taking the lure well . What do you guys figure is your percentage in strikes and bass landed ?

[flyfisher]

I don't fish toads too often but i do fish hollow frogs a lot and i am probably at 75%.  If i miss a fish i usually try and mix up something to get a better chance at a hookup

 

[soflabasser]

I would say my hookup ratio for largemouth bass fishing with hollow belly frogs is over 90% since I have gotten very comfortable fishing with these lures. For snakeheads my hookup percentage is lower since they have much tougher mouths than bass do but I still catch lots of snakeheads so I would consider my hookup ratio for snakehead fishing good. 

[Guitarfish]

My wife hooked up with all toads before me, so 100%.

[Ratherbfishing]

If by "toads" you mean "hollow bodied soft plastic floating baits, the thicker the moss, the worse the hook ratio.  And some baits work better than others.  The worst I've tried is probably the BPS version.  My BEST bait for fishing moss is the aptly named Moss Mouse by Snag Proof.  It's pretty rare, if the bass can get it into its mouth, that I miss a fish with it.  Sometimes but not too often.

[RoLo]

 

As I recall, you also throw a Stanley Ribbit.

That's a tough question, I think it depends a lot on bass disposition.

Some days my batting average is real good, yet other times it might suck all day.

 

A hollow frog does have the benefit of pausing in place, which can increase the opportunities. 

In any case, I love toading the scum. My fav is "Hot Feet" (white toad/chartreuse feet)   

 

Roger

[Bluebasser86]

I'm right on about the same average, 25%, maybe up to 50% on a good day. I've tried multiple hook styles and different baits but it just doesn't seem to matter. The only plus side to it is the fish I do hook are the better fish, I think a lot of the fish I miss are dinks too small to fully eat the bait.

 

I have a much better hookup ratio with frogs.

[Heron]

Above 90%...

 

However I do run into unique trouble when fishing from shore and casting out from the back side of a weedbed, out past the edge.  

 

Once the fish fish is hooked, I have to work him through the weeds and slop to get him to shore.  This will cause the momentum of the fight to stall, which slackens the tension on the hook, allowing the fish to shake free.

 

its just something I have to deal with sometimes

 

other than that, if I miss the fish, Then it didn’t really have it.

[scaleface]

I'm referring to solid body toads . I use  Stanley Ribbets .

[Jaderose]

Interesting....are you using toad hooks or just a straight EWG?

[scaleface]

32 minutes ago, Jaderose said:

Interesting....are you using toad hooks or just a straight EWG?

5.0 EWG's,50 lb braid , 7'0'' mh rod .

[Teal]

50% at best.  I use them as an alternative to buzz baits.  I want to TRY to experiment with some sort of trailer or stinger hook to see if that helps with out messing up the action.  

[Jaderose]

24 minutes ago, scaleface said:

5.0 EWG's,50 lb braid , 7'0'' mh rod .

Well.....I dunno then.  I was gonna suggest you switch to an 5/0 EWG hook.  I don't throw a toad that much.  I have a couple of spots in my little lake that I specifically use a toad.  No mat coverage but too weedy for treble hooked top waters.  Shallow and a ton of stumps.  There are also a couple of holes that I want the toad to sink in to.  It might seem strange but I use a VMC drop Dead Hook for my toads.  Weight doesn't really matter.  Keeps them pretty level when I want them to sink and the hook up is about the same as a swimbait because that's basically how you're fishing it, just on the surface rather than down in the column.  The only thing is you gotta rig them dead straight or they don't run right.

 

[GreenPig]

80% with Zoom Horny Toads on a Owner 4/0 Beast hook with screw lock, 8.1 reel, 7' heavy rod, and 50 lb braid

[keagbassr]

For me it's anywhere from 0- 50% depending how they're  hitting It. As bluebassr said i think alot of misses are little guys swatting at it. Its when 5 or 6 lbers are jumping over the top of the bait it gets frustrating.I also use a 5/0 ewg but was thinking about going back to double hooks because I've had such bad hookup % the last couple years. 

[scaleface]

I've tried waiting until I feel the fish , like with a buzzbait , counting a couple of seconds , it makes no difference . The bass take the thing under ,most  often with a spectacular explosion . It gets  frustrating .  Oh , and I just bought two more packs . 

[keagbassr]

I to have set the hook when I felt the fish only to have my bait come back without a leg or sometimes both legs. This to me is the toughest thing with toads; with hollow frogs I cut back legs,  tails, skirts,everything that extends beyond the hooks but you can't do this with toads. 

Oh and I just recently bought 30 packs of toads so im not giving up either?

[Black Hawk Basser]

I also use the Ribbit, and I use it more often than hollow bodies.  I'd say with the Ribbit it's 70-80%.  With hollow frogs, probably 40%. It used to be worse until I got a Booyah Pad Crasher.  I've done pretty well with that.

[roadwarrior]

 

[Bluebasser86]

When the big ones jump over the bait and then when it balls up and the hook buries back into the bait are the most frustrating things to me.

[scaleface]

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

When the big ones jump over the bait and then when it balls up and the hook buries back into the bait are the most frustrating things to me.

I put the barrel swivel on the line and hook trick to keep the bait from balling up on the hook .

[Black Hawk Basser]

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

I put the barrel swivel on the line and hook trick to keep the bait from balling up on the hook .

Same here, except I use the 'Parasite Clips'.  It has helped.

[Bluebasser86]

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

I put the barrel swivel on the line and hook trick to keep the bait from balling up on the hook .

That doesn't do anything for the legs though does it? I usually end up with the hooks 6 ways through the legs and no hook left to stick a fish.

[scaleface]

17 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

That doesn't do anything for the legs though does it? I usually end up with the hooks 6 ways through the legs and no hook left to stick a fish.

Nope , i get the legs trough the hooks too .

[moguy1973]

I use the same VMC weighted swimbait hooks as shown above although with a Zoom horny toad I use a 4/0 hook. Since going to straight braid and a 7:1 reel my hookups have been a lot better. No stretch  with the braid and the faster reel helps the the slack out for a proper hook set. The weighted hook also ensures the hook point is facing upwards so 95% of the time it’s planted firmly in the hard part of the roof of their mouth and they aren’t getting off.