Why You Need a Frog on Every Bass Fishery
Ask most anglers for the most disparaging term they could hear and they’ll often say: “Zip Code Fisherman.” The snarky implication (you can only get it done in your area) might sting the sensitive types, but such limitation will never be fairly cast upon the lure category broadly known as “frogs.”
Pretty much a standard for southern fisheries with various vegetation types, a frog can go where practically no other bait can go and access fish that are either hard to reach or largely overlooked. From “cheese” covered grass mats, to pad fields, to gaps in California tule fields, zipping a weedless presentation into the tucked-away spots where big bass lounge is a good way to meet with violent response.
No doubt, frog fishing is one of the most heart-pounding presentations and that thrill exists practically anywhere bass swim. That’s an important point to make because fisheries dominated by spotted or smallmouth bass tend to see anglers focusing more on the offshore bites. However, if largemouth also exist, there’s almost always a shallow population willing to gobble a frog.
No one’s suggesting you ditch the dropshots, Ned rigs, and jighead minnows, but when suitable habitat hints at largemouth potential, that frog will often lead you to overlooked action with little or no competition. Do your homework with Google Earth and mapping study, poke around those backwaters, canals and harbors and consider the basic seasonal migration patterns largemouth follow.
Pick Your Tool
Topwater frogging typically dominates this game and LIVETARGET offers several options, including the classic Hollow Body Frog. Offered in 1 3/4-, 2 1/-, and 2 5/8-inch sizes, this frog easily traverses any aquatic vegetation, while the 2- or 2 1/2-inch popping version creates enticing open water displays around docks and seawalls.
Traditionally, soft-body frogs, often generically called buzz toads, were far less buoyant, so they required constant motion. However, ICAST 2024 saw LIVETARGET debut the Freestyle Frog, an incredibly soft topwater bait with ultra-realistic legs that extend and contract on the retrieve.
LIVETARGET’s Injected Core Technology creates a visually attractive inner core within a highly durable exoskeleton. The hollow core maximizes buoyancy, but collapses when a fish bites to expose your Mustad Assault Heavy hook.
Go Anywhere
We typically picture frogs scooting over or through some type of aquatic plant cover, but no vegetation, no problem. These baits bring a lot of versatility.
Say, you’re fishing a lake devoid of pretty much anything green. You may not initially think, “frog,” but this is where outside-the-box thinking can salvage the day.
Trash jams: Those random collections of wind or tide-driven wood debris and various flotsam that pile into corners and pockets often shelter sizable fish. You have to gauge the density and realize that logs the size of your leg offer little frogging potential, but trash jams light enough for the frog to belly down to the water may be offer underutilized opportunities.
Shade pockets: Overhanging limbs, docks, even the dim gaps between seawalls and moored barges — drop a frog into these bass sanctuaries and hold on tightly.
Inflows: Stormwater drains, culverts, small canals — anywhere water flows into a main body creates a food delivery route that bass will not overlook. Fire your frog upstream and let it ride the current until the inevitable attack. If there’s little to no current, work the bait around the mouth for lingering bass.
Wherever you fish your frog, arm yourself with stout baitcasting gear carrying 65-pound TUF-LINE XP Braid. Set the hook hard and keep that rod bent. Frogs are big-bite getters, so make sure you’re prepared for a serious fight.