Well I have been fishing with the Zoom and Stanley frogs this year and have been missing alot of fish. I had three or four monster blow ups this past weekend on Fork on them and missed them. Came back with missing legs. This has been happening all year. I did catch on on the frog that was 4 lbs 4 oz and my non boater had one that was 3 lbs on a frog. I have been waiting a few seconds before seting the hook but that does not seem to work either. Our you guys having the same problem and if so how are you solving it. I thought about putting on a trailer hook with a weed guard but do not know if it will work.

I picked up a frog in May and haven't put it down. Here are a few things I've learned. When I started, I missed 30% at least. Now I only miss 10% or so, unless I'm not paying attention. Here's what made the difference:
1. Braid. Get yourself some 50# power pro or something similar. Froggin is about long casts, and you need no stretch to hook them way out there.
2. Stiff rod. I'm using a Falcon 5-17 carolina lizard dragger. It's stiff enough in the butt, but has enough tip to really launch the frogs out there. Froggin is best in the thick stuff, and you need enough rod to be able to get the fish out.
3. Use the bead, like it says on the ribbit package. Helps you get the frog through the grass better.

Really it's all about #1 and 2.
Jason

You must use Braided line to catch more bass on frogs...The mono line stretches too much...

Also, it is like saltwater fishing with a popping cork. One it goes down, you have to wait until you feel the pull or tug, before setting the hook...

Most fisherman get more blowups than actual hookups on the frog. They try and kill it before eating at times, too...IMO...

I am no pro, just like that topwater bite with a frog or toad.

well to put perspective on the topwater froggin technique and the line required.....just check out what Dean Rojas Pro angler says about topwter froggin


Get More Hookups

Rojas said the missed strikes, so common in frog fishing, can be overcome.

"It's tough, when you see that explosion, to avoid jerking too early, " he said. "But I find that when a bass goes to eat a frog, it really wants to kill it. They don't just want to bounce it around."

As with any topwater strike, he said an angler needs to wait to be sure the fish has the bait securely in its mouth. That means waiting to feel the weight of the fish, or watching the line zip from the scene of the blowup.

He said a key to solid hookups is in the design of the frog. "I wanted a frog that's user friendly for everybody, including those who are just learning how to fish that way."

He's a stout advocate of braided line to increase hook penetration and to wrestle fish from snags.

"You can use 20-pound mono, but I highly recommend you throw the frog on braid. I use 65-pound-test Izorline. It lays nice and limp and it's soft, so it casts really well." :

thats what i mean when I say they are slapping it... they are short striking it.. very frustrating when it happens... Maybe try some assist hooks from Bass Pro that go on thier fluttertype jigs... you can hook them weedless in the legs and the hooks can be tied to the main hook.

when they slap at it stop all movement ... they usually come back and strike it again.

Another opinion:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/frog_baits.html

and

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/bass-fishing/RA_0506_04/

1. Braid. Get yourself some 50# power pro or something similar. Froggin is about long casts, and you need no stretch to hook them way out there.

Can't agree more on this.

Gotta wait on that fish to take it before you set the hook. Hard to do.

I have seen them hit the pads below my frog and pop him up in the air. They know he is sitting there and will hit those pads to try and get him in the water. So many times, they are not trying to suck him down, just knock him around some.

http://www.spro.com/playVideo.php?video=...roducts_id%3D96

Video on SPRO FROG LURE

I agree with using the braid for frog fishing. I throw my ribbits on 50lbs powerpro and swamp donleys & snagpros on 65lbs powerpro. I assume you are using a stanley ribbit frog or zooms version. I switch to the new screw lock hooks which helps the bait stay in place alot better which in turn gives you better hook ups. One thing about the short strikes is you can throw back on them with a senko as a follow up bait or try another color. I have had very good hook ups this fall on the black floating ribbit. The floating ones seem to have a better kick in the legs. The short strikes are just part of the frog fishing.

Braid, Braid, Braid. That is the real key. However have you tried different hooks. I have tried the front spring hooks but I have had "slightly" better luck with just a regular offset wide-gap X-Point 4/0 hook. I would like to use the 5/0 but it is too long to fit. The main problem with the offset hook is that it slides down after a few fish. I use superglue to help hold it up. The front spring frog hook is just about as good though but mentally I feel more confident with the regular hooks. Also, as recommended above, use a long rod 7' minimum with a HIGH SPEED reel.
If they are nipping the legs try a different color or dying the legs or trying a smaller size. I know that if you keep missing blowups on Buzzbaits then changing up sometimes works or even speeding up the retrieve sometimes helps. Also, you might try the SPRO frog.
Just face it though, FROG = LOTS of Action, NOT lots of hookups. If you get 30-50% consider yourself VERY fortunate.

I agree with everything your are saying but I laughed at your stiff rod comment I use a Falcon CC-8-172 for frog fishing...now that is a stiff rod The closest frog rod I have to it would be a CC-7-17. No way in the world would I be happy with a 5 power.

I know people who use the 5-1610 and like frog fishing with it. So it definitely is different strokes for different folks.

Use the rod you are comfortable with...Good luck, I loves me some frog fishing!

Try the X'PLODIN TOAD BY Kicker Fish Bait Co http://www.kickerfishbait.com
It has jointed legs like the real thing,and allows use of a trailer hook!!Try it and you will be happy!!

I will try putting on the braid. I use a 7 foot rod with a high speed reel and 20 lb floro. When I used to use the old scum frog I had alot more hook ups but that was because they were hitting it when I would stop it. They are hitting these when I am reeling them.

Has anyone tried the new Scum Frog below and if so how did it purform compaired the the plastic frogs.

img from brannans tackle

Another thing you can try is splitting the legs further apart and barely penetrate the skin inside the tear.

ditto on the x plodin toad,super bait!!!!!!!!

ive found that the best way to get a hookup with a frog is to keep your rod tip up, when you see the strike drop the tip and let 'er rip. doing this has made me go from missing 40-50% of my fish, to missing 20-30% of them.

and lure buddy, ive thrown the scum frog in the 1406 pattern and had some luck with it. i love the action of it, but for some reason the legs kept turning inside the hooks.

Lure Buddy.. I like your hooks in a Bull Ribbitt... short strikes are part of the game... thats when its time to go to a different lure... ROjas says its a love/hate relationship.. they either inhale it, or wont touch it.... i have a hate thing going on for the last few weeks.... I keep 3 differnt brands of swimming type frogs (Sizmic-small and large, Bull Ribbitts, Horny Toads) and 2 types of floaters(Scum frog, SPRO).... on the scum frog type.. I take my pliers and bend up the trebles for better hookups, and also trim the skirts.

a buddy of mine says if you cut toes into the feet they hit it better.

You need to take lessons from sinko24.

I did this:



Years ago with the old style Scum Frog. It works now as good as then.

I use 20# Stren High Impact for all my frogs. Grass isn't a big issue most places in Oklahoma and I also fish frogs around brush and rocks. I missed quite a few fish until I started using Mr. Blitz Peli-Lock Toad Toter hooks. Not only do I get much better hook ups I can often get 4-5 fish off 1 frog. Here's the website: http://www.mrblitz.com/

Remember to let the fish take it, before you set the hook.

Remember to let the fish take it, before you set the hook.

Been frog fishing a long time I agree with everyone about braid and a stiff rod thats a given. I can tell you I've been ten days in a row throwing a frog and everyday is different some days i'll get 30 blowups and and 2 will eat it. Other days i'll have 10 blowups and 9 will eat it you can real it fast slow stop it, if the fish really wants it they will it eat. Sometimes it doesnt matter what you do. color is huge i fish black almost always its about the most consistent. One trick about not losing legs is to get a big treble hook cut off one of the hooks put the eye of the hook on the main hook like you would a trailer hook. then hook the legs into the two treble hooks it dosent change the action and is completely weedless.