I know I'm always asking these kinds of questions, but I'm still relatively new to fishing so I have lots of questions.
One of my personal goals for 2012 is to learn to confidently fish a hollow bodied frog.
What would be some good Southeast Michigan lakes for frog fishing? My home lake doesn't have too much structure except for docks. I'm in Oakland county and would be willing to drive an hour or so for a lake with lots of potential for a frog bite.
Kent any good? Lake Orion? Middle Straits? Orchard or Cass?
Can't wait to hear peoples thoughts.
Kent has been good at times in the past. Depends on how many lily pads there are and how deep the water is above Buno Rd. Lobdell can be really good at times. Lots of little corners and pockets. There are some canals and small hidden ponds off the connecting lakes and mill ponds. Ovid can be really good. Lake Orion should be good - just haven't fished it much. Portage Chain, especially in the upper small lakes has been good when I've tried it in the past. Small bays and pockets on Cass can be fun. It's spotty. I look for lakes that aren't known as frog lakes and then find any shallow, sloppy water and sometimes find a gem.
don't be afraid of froggin docks
Woodland has a good frog bite at times
Drive all the way to the back
Lake Ovid in East Lansing. In the summer you can a ton of a bass on frogs. Just ask Vince or Dan Kimmel, I'm sure they will agree with me.
id try oakland, pontiac, maceday, middle straights, crescent, otter, to name a few. ill take you out and show you around after the ice leaves if you want.
Frank
Lake Ovid is a great frog lake. The inaugural great lakes bass frog only tournament was held there. Despite the thunderstorms and rain the bite held up for the most part. The Lake is around 400 acres and a good majority is slop and mats perfect for froggin. Bob o landed a 5lber the last cast of the day! Lake Ovid is located in Sleepy Hollow State Park and the campground can make a great weekend. My favorite frog is Spro's hollow belly popper. I have landed my pb on it. As for frogging tips, I fish my hollow bellies with 65lb braid. On spro frogs I trip the skirts back to make the bait walk the dog better. If I am fishing the bank, I'll throw the frog up on the bank and have it quietly enter the water. The rate of retrieve really depends on the bass' attitude. Just vary your "walk the dog speed" until you understand what presentation the fish want. Hollow bellies are great baits, but the hookup ratios can be frustrating. You need to be patient when a bass explodes on the frog before you set the hook, or else you'll rip the bait out of it's mouth. Froggin is one of my favorite ways to fish, and can be rewarding day on the lake!!
Kent can be good, but it's hot or miss. Same as Woodland, last year wasn't as good as years in the past. Belleville can also be decent at times. I have the best days on smaller, out of the way lakes. How small of a boat do you have? Chilson Impoundment just west of Brighton can be great but a jon boat is required the same with some other small lakes down around Pinckney. I don't think that they get much pressure since they are hard to get on so the bass haven't seen many frogs.
Thanks all. Good tips on some lakes to check out.
And I definitely am going to be hitting some docks with a frog this year.
I picked up some mini frogs from Mike Rx at the show and I'm stoked to try them out. Its kinda fueling my current frog obsession.
Frank, I love to go fishing some time in 2012. As the season gets closer, let's get in touch.
And I have a 18.5' boat, so tiny lakes might be out, except if I cast from shore.
Thanks again.
I forgot to mention White Lake near you. There are some really good looking spots that aren't very good but a number of small spots that I did real well on with frog-type lures. I caught a quality bass out of the same little patch on three different trips.
I have a 14' jon with electric motor if you wanna hit smaller lakes...
Bet lake Sherwood would be a good lake. If someone had access
It might. It might.