Okay, I'm going to break down and try topwater frogs this year...... now what type of line and rod should I use to get the most out of them, and what type of water should I use them on?
I broke down and bought two Bose Sumo frogs, and I'm looking hard at the Bronzeye frogs from Spro.
I also picked up a few bags of the Case version of the soft plastics frogs everyone seems to be throwing.
Now what do I do? ???
65 lb braid on a medium-heavy to heavy 7 footer ought to do it...You don't want a wimpy rod or wimpy line when horsing pigs out of the slop.
I usually don't end up horsing pigs, I'm more likely to ease in a squealer ;D
Thanks for the feedback.
You really think I need the heavy stuff here in Michigan though? That would dedicate one rod to frogs for me, with that heavy of line on there. That might be a good thing for me, force me to use it a bit more...
I'd agree with the heavy set-up as well. Especially if you can get away with it, and with frog fishing you can. I usually opt for a 7ft heavy casting rod with 20# XT. My favorite frog is prolly the white and/or green Scum Frog. I love the frog bites in july and august.
In the areas you normally throw frog baits, HEAVY is a must. Popping lilypads one after another for long distances is not easy and requires heavy tackle. I would also suggest a high speed reel(with good strong gears) because you have less chance of loosing the fish if you can get them up and ski them in.
And by the way, perpair yourself for frustration. Hook-up ratio is very low when fishing the real heavy stuff.
Now, if you are talking about frog fishing in non-typical(open water) areas like Dean Rojas does, then the tackle could be sized down a bit.
Quote from: Savage on January 17, 2006, 03:17:39 PM
I usually don't end up horsing pigs, I'm more likely to ease in a squealer ;D
Thanks for the feedback.
You really think I need the heavy stuff here in Michigan though?? That would dedicate one rod to frogs for me, with that heavy of line on there.? That might be a good thing for me, force me to use it a bit more...
A heavy action rod can also be used for all sorts of applications. If you go with a 7' MH or Heavy, you now have a froggin rod, jig and worm rod, carolina rig rod, big spinnerbait rod and a buzzbait rod. If you are hesitant in using the braid in clear water situations, tie on a 4 foot flouro leader and you are all set.
I totally agree with Jeff. I came unprepared to a tourney last year and fished buzzfrogs all day on 14lb and 17lb mono. Even though I had a stout rod, I couldn't get them out of the thick stuff that you usually fish a frog over. I lost a giant fish that would have filled a nice limit out. I was still fortunate enough to win the tournament thanks to my outstanding partner who actually got me fishing frogs that day, but we could just as easily lost the event when I lost that good fish. You won't catch me fishing frogs without using heavy braid again. Even in Michigan, you don't want to get stuck in lilly pads or thick matted stuff without being able to horse them out. Don't get caught with your pants down like I did.
i just watched a show with Dean Rojas and Roland Martin..it was a Spro show so they were biased..but that new bronzeye frog really looks good. Gamakatsu hook and the softer body are suppose to allow for better hook-ups..plus they improved the frog so it won't get water logged so often. time to order!
Blakstr, you know my weakness. Are we going to split shipping? ;D If you haven't checked these out yet, take a look:
unnamed (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=11129.0) has 'em for $8.50
I have to admit those frogs do look good.
Ouch-8.50 a pop seems a little much, but whos countin hey.
id buy some for sure.
well the deals get better...Cabelas and BPS have them for $7.99ea. WOOHOO!! ;D
I have to agree about going heavy as possible if you going to have a dedicated frog rod or flipping outfit. I like 50lb. braid and MD HVY. I also use this for open water scattered grass with horny toads. I don't like to fast of a gear ratio on the reel though (5:1), get more power with a lower gear ratio. The cost of frogs isn't really that bad, if you look at how long they last (have never lost one, but have had a few wear out), and that SPRO frog looks as good as any I have used. Good luck, keep their head up and reel!!
A heavy rod is a must. This past year I switched from using flourocarbon to braid on frog fishing and my landing percentage went way up. My all time best bait in the slop is a snag proof brown moss mouse. I started using horny toads last year and like the fact you can work these like buzzbaits and then in the middle of the retrieve stop it and let it sink. I picked up alot of fish using that method last year. The only bad part horny toad fishing was the fact that the bait always slid down the hook. After some experimenting I found if you put a bead in front of the bait it goes through the slop alot better and doesnt slide down the hook. I bought a few the the Dean Rogas frogs and they look pretty sweet. The hooks are kinda bent to any angle were the slope downward and it looks like the hooking percentage will go up on this bait. I cant wait to try these...
Frogs are it man. I have been fishing with the snag proof ones for a few years now. I get some crap from some of my friends when i pull it out, especially if i dont end up getting a fish on them that day. But i have caught some real nie fish on them (even in November,once).
They are great if you are fishing with kids too. Its something visual that you can throw to keep them entertained and when you get a blow up, they go nuts and want to try it as well.
I used the frog the whole day at the Crossroads for Youth event we had last year. I had two kids with me and they were both geeked to see the fish come up and slap at it. I had both of them using one after a little while and getting blows ups from bass and pike.
We had a ball. Definatly a fun way to fish.
As far as the price tag goes, if you use a heavy rod and braided line, or very heavy mono you really dont lose many frogs. I have lost Lucky Crafts probably 5 to 1 over frogs.
I use a 7ft medium heavy Airrus Co Matrix rod with a medium fast tip when im throwing a frog. And i never throw it on anything other than braid. Except at the DK Open when i nested my reel with the braid up and had to throw it on 12 lb mono.
I figured something out last season to help me get a better hook up percentage too. I started using a Gamakatsu G stinger hook looped on the main hook and pointed upwards. It stays pretty weedless and helps on those short strikes.
The buzz style soft plastic frogs are pretty sweet too. Although i didnt play with them as much as i should of last year. But i had some luck on them on Kent Lake and Pettibone Lake in mid summer. The zoom horny toad had the best action of the few different brands i tried. The only wierd thing about them is some will sink and some will float. I had a pack that were about half and half. One thing i did to get some extra action out of the Zoom toad was to cut out a little triangle on the back of both legs. It really makes those legs fold over themselves and turn water.
PoorBoy himself :-\'
Looks like a consensus: Use braid, heavy rod, get in the thick stuff. Thanks guys. ;D
The only reason i didnt mention a braided line is from my experience i have lost too many fish using braided line when fishing frogs. thats why ichose 20 XT or even heavier. the zero stretch that is inherent in a braid can sometimes not be as forgiving as a 'stretchy mono' when a fish might happen to make that fatal jump or any other plausible scenario that we have all lost fish too. i am also still a skeptic on hook design as well on most convetnional frogs, although weedless, i have lost fish because of what i believe is bad design. do i have an anwser for a better design-no. to be honest i sometimes just pick the fattest tube in my box, rig it texas style weightless and often find i get the same topwater results that i desire with the frog with better hook sets and ultimately a higher catch ratio. not to mention you can also let the tube fall in between all the little holes that we fish frogs in. my 02 cents again. ;)
Now you're talking. I've been experimenting with my favorite Xtreme Bass Tackle Emerald Shiner hologram tube rigged and fished that way, and have had some pretty good results including catching some bass out of Stearns Bayou that I was having trouble getting before I switched. More on this to report as the year progresses I hope.
Quote from: djkimmel on January 19, 2006, 12:26:39 AM
Now you're talking. I've been experimenting with my favorite Xtreme Bass Tackle Emerald Shiner hologram tube rigged and fished that way, and have had some pretty good results including catching some bass out of Stearns Bayou that I was having trouble getting before I switched. More on this to report as the year progresses I hope.
I thought I was the only one using the Emerald Shiner Hologram as a "frog"...thanks for letting the secret out Dan ;)
As for braid vs heavy mono...I personally don't want ANY stretch when fishing a frog. I think zero stretch leads to better hook-ups with the fish and I want to pull them out of the nasty stuff as fast as possible before they wrap me up in the goop.
Stearns Bayou?? Is that on the Grand river?
I like bayous. Dont have too many in my area tho. I fished a few bayous on Hamlin lake with success. At least i think they were bayous cuz the locals called them bayous. And on the west side at the grand i did pretty decent in a bayou while pre fishing, but my boater for the tournament had other plans. Plans of not catching any fish and then getting us back late.
PoorBoy himself :-\'
I think I know that boater you mentioned... ;)
Savage,
Are his initials JM? If so, thats the same guy. He was a very nice guy and fun to fish with. He just timed everything out wrong. I only had one fish, a 2.5 lb largemouth. But as it turned out that one fish would have put me in the top 25 ( if i remember correctly ) and moved me up into the top 20 co anglers for the BFL.
I talked to a few guys who know him and they said they he thinks i hate him. Not true. At the time, i was upset about how things happened. But i dont hate anyone, and i am far over it. Sometimes i still bring it up if the conversation allows, but its all in fun.
It was just bad luck.
PoorBoy himself :-\'
PB, You get all the best draws!!!!
cheetam - I'm not really letting the secret out - there's only about 230 anglers a day reading stuff on here... At that rate, it will take at least two weeks before anglers in California start calling Wayne to order Emerald Shiner hologram tubes...
PB- Nope, don't know him personally, just commenting that there seem to be a ton of guys like that out there! That's good for me, I'm a boater! ;)
Actually, i consider myself pretty fortunate considering some of the things i have heard from other co anglers.
Like i said, they guy i was with on the grand was a very cool guy, but he was new to tournament fishing as was i and we just didnt plan well. I dont hold him responsible. I know he wouldnt intentially do something like that. It was just bad luck on both our parts.
Dan, the day you and i fished was one of the best days i had on lsc at that point, especially considering the conditions. I didnt feel bad for me, i felt bad for you. I cant imagine how i would feel if my motor fell off. So i wanted to make sure i did everything i could to help. I wouldnt want to be left alone in that situation. But i had a lot of fun that day with the boat ride, then catching fish, then taking a few 3 foot freighter wakes over the back which folded me in half like a melted cheese sandwich. It is still my #1 most told story and something i will never forget. I would say we should do it again sometime, but i dont think you want to go through all that again ;D
I try to be a good boater in the ABA. Anthony said i get the most positive feedback so i guess i am doing something right. I just want people to feel comfortable and confident when they fish with me. I have been in that situation and i know how intimidating it can be. Even if we dont catch fish, i make sure we have fun anyway.
PoorBoy himself :-\'
Quote from: PoorBoy on January 20, 2006, 08:11:51 AM
Dan, the day you and i fished was one of the best days i had on lsc at that point, especially considering the conditions. I didnt feel bad for me, i felt bad for you. I cant imagine how i would feel if my motor fell off. So i wanted to make sure i did everything i could to help. I wouldnt want to be left alone in that situation. But i had a lot of fun that day with the boat ride, then catching fish, then taking a few 3 foot freighter wakes over the back which folded me in half like a melted cheese sandwich. It is still my #1 most told story and something i will never forget. I would say we should do it again sometime, but i dont think you want to go through all that again ;D
I'm up for it - we'll just use your boat this time :D!!!
Love the melted cheese sandwich visual!!!
After fishing horny toads for 2 days on the mississippi at last years everstart in Onalaska, I would use nothing but 65 lb braid ( doesn't bird nest and dig into the side of the spool as much as 50 lb), and a 7'6" heavy action rod - it was a blast watching those 4 and 5 lbers blow up though the slop for these baits -
after a tourney day between the boater and myself - had to have 10 bags of wasted horney toads all over the boat - did find a neat trick to keep em lasting a little longer
use a 60 degree gammy jig hook - 5/0 or 6/0 moves the hook back further, and add a corkscrew hitchhiker to the hook eye - keeps the bait from sliding down the hook prematurely, and rides a little nose up to slide thru the slop without hanging up as much.
good luck next summer!
Yukon, thanks for being so specific about those little tricks to make the baits work better, and what line to use!? You mentioned Horny toads (Zoom), is that what you throw?? If so, what colors do you like?? I am partial to Case Soft Plastics myself, they have a version called the Buzzin' Frog.? I like the color that has watermelon on top and a yellow colored belly.? I'll try to attach a pic of the Buzzin' Frogs, they have different legs than most of the baits.
Also, I am going to look into the "Hardnose" baits from Mann's.? They ssem like a good idea, maybe last a bit longer? ???
yukonjack2 - that sounds like it was a blast! I've been doing way too much smallie fishing lately (yeah, I know - terrible problem to have...)
I am partial to white or pearl - sometimes a little chartreuse dip-it on the legs when I get bored - lol.
Not sure color really matters, as its a reaction bite - but don't tell the marketing guys that. So, what did I do?
picked up a couple bags of watermelon red for KY-lake this spring - if the weather/spawn cooperates, should be awesome to try amoungst the pads.
I have used both Zoom, and Yum, but think the Zoom has a better leg action.
Gonna try the manns hardnose this year as well - anyone know a retailer that carries them locally to SE mi?
I would have thought that the natural colors, like green for example, would work best. You say you have the best luck with white or pearl? Maybe because the real frogs bellies are white ? Something to consider, I was going to order greens. ANy companies out there with green frogs with white bellies? ???
Quote from: Savage on January 22, 2006, 10:18:45 AM
I would have thought that the natural colors, like green for example, would work best.? You say you have the best luck with white or pearl?? Maybe because the real frogs bellies are white ?? Something to consider, I was going to order greens.? ANy companies out there with green frogs with white bellies? ???
Yum buzz frog comes in green pumpkin/ pearl belly.
QuoteYum buzz frog comes in green pumpkin/ pearl belly.
Sweeeeeeeet!? Just one more option to try out.? Looks like the mid-michigan bass are gonna see a ton of frogs.? After reading all these responses I guess I've narrowed it down to a few offerings now:
Spro "Bronzeye" frogs in natural green and natural brown
Case "Buzzin frogs" in watermelon/yellow belly
Yum "Buzz frogs" in green pumpkin/pearl belly
Fish it on a stout rod with heavy braided line.
QuoteI would use nothing but 65 lb braid ( doesn't bird nest and dig into the side of the spool as much as 50 lb),
on a 5/0 60 degree gamakatsu jig hook with a corkscrew hitchhiker.
Quoteuse a 60 degree gammy jig hook - 5/0 or 6/0 moves the hook back further, and add a corkscrew hitchhiker to the hook eye - keeps the bait from sliding down the hook prematurely, and rides a little nose up to slide thru the slop without hanging up as much.
? I'll probably add a bit of superglue, too. Thanks to all who have gave their input so fa, I feel like I have a head start on getting to know these baits! 8)
This is my newest obsession. This came in the same shipment as Blake's pointers. Just look at the attitude on this lil' toad!
Anyone else going to buy about 40 of these Bronzeye frogs?
http://bassfan.com/reviews_article.asp?ID=77
a good article on Bassfan about the Dean Rojas bronze eye frog...you can't appreicate this bait until you hold it in your hand and give it a good handlin'
(ahhh..if i had a nickel for everytime i heard that ::))
it is an awesome bait, Cabela's is backordered 6 to 8 weeks on every color, [REMOVED - see No Links Policy List (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=11129.0)] still has quite a few though..every color is awesome!
I almost hate to point this out.... but Bassmaster did an article not to long ago about this bait, and Rojas talks about the unique ways he fishes it. I goota try it! Me and Blake usually throw complementing baits when we can, but we'll be fighting over who gets to throw this one. Guess we'll both have to use it....
i'm amazed how many fish he catches with it over open water,,,not just for slop..
No need to wait till July -- had good frog success in early June, on canal spawners.?
For a less expensive alternative, try the Mann's swim frog, white or yellow, not as "pretty" as the boze or spro but experience has shown a much higher landing percentage with the Manns.? My pic is showing a 5.9lber caught on Mann's swim frog during a wixom lake event.? Braid a must.? Forget the crap about waiting to "feel" the fish before sitting the hook -- the sucker doesn't have arms!!
anybody using the YUM buzzfrog? I bought a pack and they want to "roll over" repeatedly on the retrieve, I changed hooks, slowed down, put the hook in different, no change. The frog rolls over probably every 6 feet on the retrieve. I have fished the zoom horny toad and had no problems like this. Anybody else experiencing this or am I not holding my mouth right or somethin?
i haven't used them but is your line twisting it around? maybe add a barrel swivel so your leader won't have the twist..
Quote from: fowlmouth on June 20, 2006, 12:19:04 AM
anybody using the YUM buzzfrog? I bought a pack and they want to "roll over" repeatedly on the retrieve, I changed hooks, slowed down, put the hook in different, no change. The frog rolls over probably every 6 feet on the retrieve. I have fished the zoom horny toad and had no problems like this. Anybody else experiencing this or am I not holding my mouth right or somethin?
I've been experiencing the same thing and only with the buzzfrog...One thing I have done is rigged the frog so there is a slight bend in it. Instead of putting your hook through the body of the frog so that it is rigged straight, pull the hook through 1/8 of an inch further from the nose so that it creates the bend.
"I figured something out last season to help me get a better hook up percentage too. I started using a Gamakatsu G stinger hook looped on the main hook and pointed upwards. It stays pretty weedless and helps on those short strikes." -PoorBoy
I appreciate this advice, I missed about 75% of them last week with a scum frog and was really frustrated. I was going to post up and look for advice but now I found some. Using a MH rod with 40lb PowerPro. I tried setting the hook right away, letting them take it for a few seconds, and nothing was working. I will try adding some sort of trailer hook.
For the Zoom toads I have been using these: http://www.daiichihooks.com/products/copperhead_hooks.html Zoom even has some hooks like these too.
This year I got some of these to try, have not tried yet so no feedback: http://www.daiichihooks.com/products/butt_dragger.html
Also I have had the best luck with the white horny toads.
Hey,? New guy here,? ?;D
I have been using the Mann's Phat Phrog on a pond near me and having good luck.? I found them at Wally World in Howell.? They have a Bismuth weight in the bottom to keep them upright and because they float high they really seem to attract interest from our target,? Bass.? Being a traditionalist I choose frogs that look like a frog. They are hollow and will waterlog but you will get used to re-adjusting the back plug and squeezing out? water.? ?I tried the Dean Rogas in White and not one look on the pond I fish.? I found a few Dean Rogas at Gander Mountain in Novi they also had quite a few Chatterbaits.? Go to Land Big Fish and put in "Frog",? You will see a bunch of new frog types.?
http://www.landbigfish.com/?
The Mann's Super Frog looks good as does the Reaction Innovations Swamp Donkey.
I have only started to play with these things, but this weekend I was up on Douglas Lake for a tournament and saw how well they can work. One of the guys in the club was up in a shallow bay throwing a soft plastic topwater frog into the reeds and getting blown up all over the place. The guy ended up burning for the tournament, but he had a ball pulling in short fish after short fish on that frog. Guess he lost a keeper at the boat, but I've never seen a guy come to the ramp with nothing and yet be so happy. He said at the end of the day he was getting bit on every other cast into the reeds......