Frogs?

[Syfer420]

Never fished frogs, but since ive been in FL thats all i here about. specifically soft plastic topwater frogs seem to be working well. Whats everyone favorites? plus techniques since mine seems to be lacking a bit

[T-rig]

Sizmic and horny toads are very good! Wave worms also makes a pretty good frog. I use them weightless or t-rigged with a 1/8 weight when the fishing is slow. Great spring bait.

[lunchbox508]

I 100% agree with T-Rig

[bocabasser]

soft plastic frogs- horny toad, canetoad, and paca toad.

hollow body frogs- swamp donkey, spro

if you are in florida, a frog is a must imo. some days they want that frog screaming across the water. other day they want that frog stationary. trick is finding what they want. you might want to consider a snake as well. not the hannon snakes, but either a homeade or i use a black trick worm and swim it across the top. hope this helps.

[SwampMan]

There's nothing funner than throwing a frog on calm water as the sun is coming up!  It's magical!!

[SneakySnook]

Horny toad and cane toad rigged with the zoom frog hook.

[Munkin]

Horny toad and cane toad rigged with the zoom frog hook.

I agree 100%! The only thing I can add is use 50+lb braid.

Allen

[New 2 Bass]

Whats up bro?!

I use the zoom ones w/ a gammy 4/0 ewg.  Black was killer, so was that grey ghost, and so is watermelon flake.  Throw it out and pull it in so it makes wake.  Try different speeds till you get the ripple you need/want.  I like to fish it parallel to the shore near stuff.  It works alot better for me really early in the morning, like right before the sun comes up.

You have to learn to feel the fish before you rip up on the rod though, at least I did.  I would get caught up in the moment and rip the frog back at mach 2.  I learned to wait till I felt the weight, then I'd set (learned that right here folks).  Tw53487 is right the hits are really cool.  It is really exciting fishing at night and having a big bass splash a hit right next to you.

later,

Al

[basspro48]

I used to mostly use the ZOOM horny toad but now the only frog I use is the Stanley Ribbit. It has great action, very durable, and you can retrieve them as slow as you want. I fish the Ribbit on a 7' Heavy action Daiwa rod, 60lb Stren Super Braid, and a 6.3:1 Shimano Citica reel. I rig the frog on a 4/0 Gammy Superline hook with a 1/16oz weight for extra casting distance.

[bassfisher70]

Sizmic and horny toads are very good! Wave worms also makes a pretty good frog. I use them weightless or t-rigged with a 1/8 weight when the fishing is slow. Great spring bait.

I also agree with T-rig, I fish horny toads the same way and tore bass up last spring and summer. ;D

[Hot n Tot]

I really enjoy fishing Horny Toads and Sizmic Toads. My personal best last year came on a white Sizmic Toad fished slowly on top near some thick lily pads. I like using a 7' MH St. Croix Avid, Shimano Castaic SF reel and 50# power pro. The Horny Toad hooks are good. I don't like how the toads slide town on regular Gammy wide gap hooks. I can't wait 'till spring!

[Gorgebassman]

For the topwater I like to use reaction innovations swamp donkey. I also use yums and zooms on a 5/0 Gammie ewg.

[Syfer420]

Why 50lb test braid????

[RoLo]

Gambler Cane Toad or Uncle Josh Sizmic Toad (specify high floater)

Spinning tackle with 50-lb PowerPro braid.

Pitch it smack into the slop and begin the retrieve simultaneous to splashdown.

Crank the toad slow and steady, only fast enough to keep it on the surface and to keep the feet active.

If you're still here in April and May you're in for a topwater treat

Roger

[richweaver]

The spro bronzeeye frog and the manns hardnose toad.I throw them on a 7' heavy power  St. Croix Legend rod with a 6.3:1 Pflueger Supreme.Then add some 65 pound test sufix then your set.I like to throw a frog every were I can

[RoLo]

Why 50lb test braid????

Because I'm having trouble finding 100-lb braid  

Roger

[Brad_Coovert]

There are a ton of great soft plastic frogs out there.  I like the Gambler Cane Toad, ZOOM Horny Toad and Stanley Ribbit series.

For standard frogs, again there are a ton of great brands.  SPRO Bronzeye, Boze Sumo, Reaction Innovation Swamp Donkey, River 2 Sea Croaker, Scumfrog and many more.

For the soft plastic versions, I like the ZOOM Horny Toad hooks, Mustad Impact hooks with some LocTite Gel or EWG Superline hooks either witch a screw in weight or Reaction Innovation's new Screwed-up Bullet that is made specifically for fishing in front of weightless plastics.  All of these methods help to keep the bait from sliding down the hook in heavy grass, which can be a problem with soft plastic frogs.

Hollow bodied frogs seldom need any work to keep them weedless.  Some are a little light, such as the Scumfrog, and you can add some weight by stuffing some cut up plastic worm pieces in them, rattles or small weights.

As for fishing the frogs, the soft plastic frogs are the most versatile as they can be fished on top or deeper if you let them sink.  You can fish them over cover and then let them sink into holes.  You can swim them along the bottom or just under the surface.  Something that is not mentioned much is that soft plastic frogs like a Horny Toad are great follow up baits for missed strikes on floating frogs.

Floating frogs do just that, float.  They can be paused over holes, on the edge of lily pads, on top of the weeds, etc. and can be pause as long as you want.  They can be fished fast or slow.  Hookups on these frogs are not as good on soft plastic frogs and some practice is needed to get a good hookset down.  Fish also can miss them when they strike, but they usually come back for a second try.  I always try to reel up slack and hit the fish when I feel it.  If I miss him, I will toss in a follow up bait to the same spot he struck the frog.

For tackle, I would not suggest anything lighter than a 7' or 7'6" Heavy action rod and 50 lb. braid.  Some will say 50 lb. is too heavy, but it is not much different in size than 30 lb. braid, does not cost much more and doesn ot break as easy as 30 lb. braid, so IMO, why not use it?  Sometimes long casts are needed with frogs and this setup lets you move more line on the hookset and the braid has no stretch, so this helps drive hooks home.  A big bass, or any bass for the matter, with a bunch of grass on it is very hard to move.  Again, heavy tackle and the braided line will get the fish to the boat.  Braid cuts through grass better than any other line and is at it's best in heavy grass.  Frogs are a big bass bait and this setup will help you avoid losing a big fish.

Good luck with your frogging!

Brad

[RoLo]

Something that is not mentioned much is that soft plastic frogs like a Horny Toad are great follow up baits for missed strikes on floating frogs.

Good point Brad.

Used as a "surface" lure, I'm one of the few anglers who's not entralled with the zoom horny toad.

The horny toad does not float, so it enforces a faster retrieve than I prefer to use on the surface.

In any case, I like your follow-up concept, and intend to give that a try.

Roger

[georgiabassfisherman]

well right now all i am using down here in florida is the Zoom horny toad the bass just love those things but i used to use this frog that i had that was one of thos e hollow floating ones. i was in this lake that u could only get in there with a bass boat if the water was up but the water was down so i was in my john boat and i had to drag it and i threw that frog in some pads and about the time it hit the water it was like u pulled the plug right under those pads. a bass came up and looked like he swallowed the entire patch of pads all i know is that the frog dissapeared water splashed everywhere and my line snapped.

[georgiabassfisherman]

Something that is not mentioned much is that soft plastic frogs like a Horny Toad are great follow up baits for missed strikes on floating frogs.

Good point Brad.

Used as a "surface" lure, I'm one of the few anglers who's not entralled with the zoom horny toad.

The horny toad does not float, so it enforces a faster retrieve than I prefer to use on the surface.

In any case, I like your follow-up concept, and intend to give that a try.

Roger

well when i use the horny toad i only make it kick on the surface if i have thrown it past where i want it to go then i let it sink and flutter toward the bottom and then i twitch it a few times while it is in what i call the zone then i just reel it back to kinda slow

[Guest avid]

I like the zoom horney toad.  I'll often cast and just let it sink.  I have caught many quality bass this way.

If no action on the drop.  I'll run it on the surface and kill it again.

Only once I've seen it get nailed on the buzz will I use that as my primary method.

Dont forget to cast it right up on the bank and pop it into the lake.

[Syfer420]

Excellent info guys I'm really getting into frog fishing. I'm even thinking about purchasing my first expensive setup mainly for plastics (worms and frogs mainly) and suggestions on specific rods and reels, what type of braid also?