I'm a self-confessed bad topwater fisherman. Frogs are close to my worst technique of all time (next to spinnerbaits). I'm curious what your favorite frog is and why. If you modify it - how? I'm also very interested in hookup ratio. Which frog is best for that?

Hi guys, just saw this thread--8 months after its original post. I haven't been here in awhile, lol.

Anyway, it's Bobby's frog for me. I have only had one dud that was off-balance and didn't walk well out of 5 frogs. I wish I could catch swimbait fish as well as I do with the frog. I love frogging! I have only caught a couple swimbait fish over the years. That's big trout swimbaits btw, not 5-6.5 inch Big Hammers. A big reason for the the lack of success with the swimbaits, is probably the lack of quality time and quality water I'm fishing (local park ponds--urk!).

Back to the frog. I have got them good on the small waters I fish. Like others mentioned, you gotta throw it all day or at least the majority of your session when starting. I only took the frog rod when I was learning to force me to fish it. I get them on the slop or in open with a bunch of bites coming off the slop a few feet into open water. When learning to openwater walk, don't twitch too hard and be sure to throw slack in the line after each twitch to allow the bait to wander. Also, I only tried to walk it for about 4-5 twitches and then paused to maintain my form. This sometimes triggered strikes, too. I always go with the goal of just triggering a strike and worry about hooking it later (not too much later, lol). I shorten the legs a bit, thin them out a few strands, that's it. Colors for me are solid white and solid black. Good luck.

Heck, I might as well chime in late as well:)~! LOL

Snag Proof Perfect Frog for me too. IMO, it's by far the best frog out there. I really don't like the Sumo, the Spro is pretty good but IMO the Snag Proof walks A LOT easier. I don't do much to my frogs. I trim the legs some, tie some 20# mono to the hook eye where the gap is so my braid doesn't slip out; that's about it. I may add a glass worm rattle or a few BBs; but usually start out without rattles.

Walking a frog and walking a Spook are two different things IMO. I started out trying to walk a frog like a Spook and they don't walk that well. Light twitches (as already mentioned) are key. Those Snag Proof Perfect Frogs walk VERY VERY EASILY! They cast well. I'm pretty simple with colors also. Black is AWESOME, so is Cicada; and Brown Bullfrog. I don't know about you, but the Brown Bullfrog is a KILLER bluegill/sunfish pattern. I'd say it's my overall favorite.

I use 65# braid, a Dobyns 705C rod (which is a heavy); and a fast reel. I also sometimes fish them on a flippin' stick.

Like others have said; just fish the thing. There are days where you really can throw the frog all day and really get drilled! Also, if you fish at night during the summer months; THROW THE FROG! It's a killer night bait. Fish it everywhere; the baits weedless and will come through just about everything.

Also, start fishing the frog earlier in the year than you might think. I'll start fishing it around mid to late April. Also, the bite could last most of the year; I drilled frog fish last year in November. In San Diego BTW! We have plenty of grass; I LMAO when I hear guys say we don't have much grass. You don't need a lot; those fish flock to that stuff. We have more than enough! LOL

And as already stated, the Snag Proof Frogzilla is a POS :)~! LMAO Just get the black one.

That's about it!

Arden

FIVE POUNDERS ARE SMALL :)!

hows your hookup % on the frogzilla? Ive been told by several people it is pretty bad. Any mods?

My hookups have been great on it............on the fish big enough to eat it:)! No mods at all on that frog. Well, I do take a black marker and color in that BIG silver dolar on the belly (belly weight). That's it! Pretty much only fish the black one. My dad and I broke two fish off one night; and no joke they were BIG! Not sure if they were bass, but they were BIG stinkin' fish. I do fish the Perfect Frog a lot more, but hookups have been great with the Frogzilla so far.

Arden

FIVE POUNDERS ARE SMALL :)!

BTW - April sounds like you're getting a late start fishing the frog...and I'm in NorCal!

Anytime there is a topwater bite or the fish are shallow can be good. That means all year long at times. I have been fishing a frog from early March all the way through December. With the weather the way it was in Jan I would have probably had thrown it then too but didn't get out fishing (new baby in the house).

Todd
http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/toddiwamoto.htm

if we dont get an unseasonably cold year here again I am going to try starting in March myself. NW here!

I actually agree with you guys, but March for me is MAJOR Shamu hunting and still chuckin' swimbaits. I really don't want to touch a frog then; even though they'll work. Honestly, bed fishing is what keeps me from fishing frogs earlier than I do. If you keep the motor on and look for BIG fish; you WILL see BIG BIG fish where I fish. Catching them is a different story sometimes, but at least you know what you're fishin' for. Speaking of which; shouldn't be too long now:)! LOL

Gotta love California! Potential for topwater fish 12 months out of the year. AWESOME HUH:)~? LOL

Arden

FIVE POUNDERS ARE SMALL :)!

so jealous of you californians and your weather!

Probably not a bad idea to put a little scent inside of the frogs cavity. When them toads chomp down on it they'll have some flavor shoot out and theyll suck the bait in more. Theres shad scent, worm, crawfish...but wheres the frog scent :D hahaha jk. Good luck with the frog fishing...ive got a new snag proof ive been meaning to try when the frogs start showing up more.

Id rather be fishin!

Old vs New Bobby's Perfect Frogs...The newer ones seem to be from a diff mold--a tad slimmer, no clear support tube needed for the legs' exit, more consistent from bait to bait. I still have a few of the old ones around. I think the new ones walk easier. You guys have a take on this? Or a preference?