Frog Fishing Outing

[rondef]

I went out fishing this morning with a buddy of mine from work. I decided that I would try to learn to fish a new bait (frogs). We put in my canoe in a bay off of the Potomac river that has lots of pads and hydrilla. We started with buzzbaits and each caught one keeper. Then we switched to spinnerbaits and chatterfrogs and each landed 1 fish. After that we both switched over to throwing frogs, I used the Ragetail frogs and my buddy used another manufacturer.

Before my first cast my buddy told me one thing, I will loose more fish than I will catch. Well he was 100 percent on the money with that statement. I landed 1 keeper and lost 4 due to the fish breaking free when they went into the heavy cover. I tried to horse one of them out of the pads and hydrilla since I had 30lb braid but I just ripped the fish up and he got loose right as I was trying to lip him. My biggest of the day (looked to be at least 4lbs) jumped out of the water and did a nice tail dance then dove into heavy cover and broke free. Man I must say frog fishing can be frustrating but it is also a lot of fun when you fianally pull one into the boat.

My buddy and I landed a total of 8 bass today, 3 on buzzbaits, 1 on a spinnerbait, 1 on a chatterfrog and 3 on frogs. The frog fishing was by far the most fun due to the huge explosions on top water. I now have the confidence to throw frogs in the thickest of cover.

[JCrzy4Bass]

Dad, sounds like the topwater was just as productive or at least present as it was Saturday.  Sorry you lost those few, but at least you got your first frog fish... a feat I've yet to accomplish.  I'm probably gonna try to throw my spro and my sizmic toad when I go Saturday with you.  Hopefully between the buzzbaits and frogs we can't get some exciting hits.

Glad to hear you had a fun time though.  Wish I could have been there.

Did you manage to get any pics today or did you not bother to take pics of the smaller fish?  Later.

[rondef]

I have a couple of pics but the fish were only 1.5lbs so I didn't post them.  I lost some nice ones though in the pads.  I need to find a way to pull them out without loosing them.  I may try giving them a little line and see if they swim back out and then pull them in.  I will figure it out.

[ptomacbass]

i also fish the potomac and have found you must fish the baits very slowly like this twitch 1 2 3 twitch and repeat then you pause at an open spot or weed edge for as long as you can handle.  and remeber release the bass and have fun.

[rondef]

We didn't need to fish slowly to hook these, the bass were very aggresive each time I have fished this location.  I didn't have to pause at all, I just hopped them across the pads and when the frog hit the water the bass attacked it.

[Tokyo Tony]

It's funny how all it takes is a few fish (or even strikes) to gain a lot of confidence in a new bait. Try just going crazy on the fish after you get a hit. What I mean is setting the hook hard, and furiously pulling the fish to the surface, water skiing it back to the boat. If it doesn't work there's a chance you might look like a fool, but when you get it down it's a lot of fun. And a good cardio workout  ;D

[tyrius.]

I landed 1 keeper and lost 4 due to the fish breaking free when they went into the heavy cover. I tried to horse one of them out of the pads and hydrilla since I had 30lb braid but I just ripped the fish up and he got loose right as I was trying to lip him.

Sounds like the baitmonkey is telling you that you need a slop rod.  7'6" H or XH rod with reel of your choice spooled with 50-65 lb braid.  

You won't have a problem horsing them then!!!

[AnglerNFuego]

I landed 1 keeper and lost 4 due to the fish breaking free when they went into the heavy cover. I tried to horse one of them out of the pads and hydrilla since I had 30lb braid but I just ripped the fish up and he got loose right as I was trying to lip him.

Sounds like the baitmonkey is telling you that you need a slop rod. 7'6" H or XH rod with reel of your choice spooled with 50-65 lb braid.

You won't have a problem horsing them then!!!

Sounds like you needed my flipping stick Ron.  

[c17Lat]

I'm trying to learn the potomac out of a 2 person kayak right now. just curious, what bay were u in and what part of the tide were u fishing if you don't mind?

[JShrock07]

Hey ron,

I fish frogs all the time on the Potomac and let me tell you, they are one of the most productive lures I have ever fished. You are right about the strikes but no fish... I have a little trick for you to try.

Buy weedless 2/0 hooks. Instead of rigging them like a weedless worm just pull the hook as far as you can through the worm and then take the weedless wire and just clip it on the hook. It will runn weedless over ANY cover and it will keep your frog in a better condition. Another helpful tip for this same set-up is to put superglue in the lure towards the eye of the hook. This will also help you keep your lure in good condition.