Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2018 - 37

Topwater frog baits can also be effective
for Smallmouth Bass. Target areas around
weed growth and current breaks.
can fish frog baits across the top of floating
mats of vegetation, in and around heavy
wood cover, and in many areas where
other lures would hang up.
I prefer to fish frog baits on 7-foot or
longer medium-heavy action rods with
50-pound-test braid or super line. These
lines have little to no stretch and allow
for a better hookset. Work the frog from
side to side in a "walk the dog" fashion
There are many different manufacturers of topwater frog baits.
and pause it for a few seconds at any hole
in the vegetation or other likely looking
spot. Another great way to fish a frog is
with a "twitch-twitch-pause" retrieve. Simply twitch the frog
take the frog for a shad, Bluegill or some other forage species
by sweeping your rod as you turn the reel handle and after
floundering on the surface. Work frogs in areas where you
every two twitches, pause the bait for a second or two. Strikes see heavy Bluegill activity as there are almost always nice
often occur on the first twitch after a pause. Vary the speed
bass holding close by. Topwater frog baits are also effective
and cadence of your retrieves to figure out the preference
on Smallmouth Bass in rivers and streams. Fish them near
of the bass. If a bass misses the frog, quickly cast back to the
emergent weed growth in slack water areas and around
area of the strike. Many times, a fish that swiped at a bait will current breaks.
try again, especially in thick weed growth. It is also a good
To increase your strike to hook-up ratio, bend the hooks
idea to have another rod ready with a follow up bait to cast
out slightly with a pair of needle-nosed pliers. The lure
to fish that miss a frog. A stick worm, jig or creature bait are
will still navigate weeds and heavy cover without hanging
excellent choices to get fish on the end of your line.
up, and it will greatly increase your chances of connecting.
Experience has shown that light-colored frogs work best
Check the hollow body of the frog often. If it seems to be
on sunny, clear days, and darker lures are better in dark
sitting too low in the water, it is often just a matter of giving
or overcast conditions. There are many manufacturers of
the bait a squeeze to remove the water from the body. Many
topwater frogs, and all topwater frogs are effective lures for
anglers like to take a sharp pair of scissors and trim about
summer bass. Early morning hours and the last two hours of
1/2 inch off the rubber band legs to give the bait a smaller
evening daylight are prime time to throw frog baits. These
profile, making it easier for bass to target.
lures will also catch fish at mid-day though, especially in
If you have not given topwater frog baits a try, you need
windy and cloudy conditions.
to add these to your arsenal. It can be fished in the thickest,
I am convinced that not all bass that engulf a topwater frog nastiest cover you can find, and the strikes will leave you
think it is attacking an actual frog. Many times, the bass may
weak in the knees.
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