Omar Khalid
Fishing with a plastic frog lure is a popular method for catching big bass. The soft plastic frog is designed to float on the surface of the water, mimicking the behaviour of a real frog. To rig a plastic frog, you need to insert a hook through its nose and rotate it so that the 90-degree part of the hook shank sits at the frog's nose. You can use a variety of hooks, such as an extra wide gape hook or the Palomar knot, which is known for its strength and security. The colour of the frog lure is also important, with natural colours like brown, green, and tan working well in clear water, and darker colours like black or purple being more suitable for muddy or stained water. When fishing with a plastic frog, it's important to cast it into thick weed patches or on top of lily pads, imitating a frog's natural behaviour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of lure | Soft plastic frog |
| Type of fish | Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pike, trout |
| Fishing technique | Cast into thick weed patches, lily pads, or directly onto the shore, logs, or rocks |
| Retrieval technique | Slowly retrieve the lure by loudly flopping it into the water |
| Retrieval speed | Slow with frequent pauses to mimic a frog hopping between lily pads |
| Knot type | Palomar knot |
| Hook type | Single or treble hook, extra wide gape hook |
| Hook placement | Through the nose of the frog |
| Hook set | When the lure disappears underwater |
| Colour | Browns, greens, tans, black, navy, purple, white, chartreuse |
| Modifications | Add a rattle to the hook shank, wrap pipe cleaner around the hook shank to apply scent |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right hook and frog size
When it comes to choosing the right hook and frog size, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select the appropriate hook size that fits well with the size of the frog you're using. This is important for achieving a good hook set when a fish strikes. A commonly used hook for rigging soft plastic frogs is an extra-wide gape hook. Additionally, consider the type of hook that will work best for your chosen fishing spot. For example, if you're fishing in areas with thick vegetation, a weedless hook design can be advantageous.
The Zoom Horny Toad, a popular choice among anglers, can be rigged with a technique-specific frog hook or a simple 4/0 Extra Wide Gap (EWG) hook. This versatility allows anglers to adapt to different fishing conditions and target a range of fish species.
Another factor to consider is the size of the fish you're targeting. Different fish species may require different-sized frogs to achieve optimal results. Experimenting with multiple styles and sizes of frogs can help you determine what works best for the specific fish you're seeking. Additionally, the colour of the frog lure can play a role in your success. In clear water on sunny days, natural colours like browns, greens, and tans tend to be effective. On the other hand, darker colours like black, navy, or purple can provide good contrast in muddy or stained water or during overcast days.
When it comes to rod selection, a medium-heavy power, fast to mod-fast action rod in the 6-foot, 10-inch to 7-foot range can offer a balance between length and power. However, if you're fishing in extremely heavy matted vegetation, you may need to opt for a longer rod and sacrifice a bit of casting distance. Remember that the weight of the hook is crucial in slowly sinking the frog, so finding the right balance is essential.
Lastly, consider the type of frog lure you're using. Floating, hollow-bodied frogs are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of fishing scenarios. These lures are designed to float on the surface, imitating the behaviour of a real frog. The hollow body collapses when a fish bites, facilitating better hooksets. Popular options include the Spro Bronzeye Frog and the Booyah Pad Crasher.
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Using the Palomar knot
The Palomar knot is a quick, secure knot that is ideal for attaching a plastic frog lure to a braided fishing line. It is also possible to use a monofilament line, but the knot performs best with braids. The Palomar knot is strong, easy to tie, and nearly impossible to pull out if tied correctly.
- Start by doubling your line, leaving about 6 inches of line doubled.
- Pass the doubled line through the eye of the lure.
- Tie a simple overhand knot by passing the doubled line back over itself to create a loop. Ensure that the remaining loop is long enough to open and pass over the lure.
- Pass the doubled line back through the loop you just created. You have now tied a simple overhand knot in the doubled line.
- Open the loop and feed it over the lure.
- Moisten and pull both ends of the line to tighten the knot.
- Trim the excess line.
Some anglers prefer to use a loop knot when jigging plastic frogs, as it allows the lure to move with less directional restraint. However, the Palomar knot is a reliable and durable option that leaves a longer tag end. It is also a good choice for those who want a quick and easy knot to tie.
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Where to cast your frog
When it comes to plastic frog lures, location is key. You want to cast your frog in a spot where it is easily visible to bass and other freshwater predators. A good rule of thumb is to look for areas where bass typically hide, such as overhanging branches, thick lily pad clusters, and under docks or bridges. Man-made structures like boat ramps, docks, and piers are also great spots to cast your frog lure.
If you're fishing in an area with thick vegetation, don't be afraid to cast your frog directly into those weeds or lily pads. The hooks on topwater frog lures face upwards and are protected by the frog's body, so you don't have to worry about getting caught up in the vegetation. In fact, the commotion caused by flopping your lure into the water can actually help attract nearby fish by mimicking a frog's natural behaviour.
When fishing in clear water on sunny days, opt for naturally coloured frogs such as browns, greens, and tans. These colours blend in with the surroundings and can help your lure appear more realistic to the fish. If you're fishing in muddy or stained water, or during overcast days, switch to darker colours like black, navy, or purple which will provide a good contrast with the sky above.
Finally, don't forget to experiment with different casting spots and lure colours to see what works best in your specific fishing location. By trying out different techniques and observing the behaviour of the fish, you'll be able to optimise your frog jigging strategy.
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How to retrieve your frog
To retrieve your plastic frog, you must first cast it into the water. The ideal spot to cast your frog is near overhanging branches, thick lily pad clusters, and under docks or bridges. Once you've found a good spot, cast your plastic frog lure and slowly retrieve it by loudly flopping it into the water. This creates a commotion that imitates a frog's natural behaviour, attracting nearby fish. During the retrieve, use a slow, steady pace with frequent pauses to mimic a frog hopping from one lily pad to another. Be sure to experiment with the tempo, pause time, and lure movement to find what works best.
When retrieving your plastic frog, it's important to pay attention to the hook set. Wait until the frog lure disappears beneath the surface before setting the hook. If you set the hook too early, you may injure the fish or lose it. To improve your hook set, you can apply a silicone dry fly spray or paste to the first 5 feet of the line, ensuring the line floats and improves frog performance. Additionally, consider using a strong knot, such as the Palomar knot, which is known for its ruggedness and compatibility with all types of fishing lines.
Another technique to retrieve your plastic frog effectively is to cast it directly onto the shore, logs, or rocks. This allows you to cover a lot of water quickly, from shallow to deep areas. You can then hop the lure into the water and swim it back, imitating a frog's movement. If you're fishing in open water with exposed cover, such as islands, rocks, or trees, don't hesitate to use this technique. It's a great way to increase your chances of catching larger fish.
To make your plastic frog more versatile, you can modify its buoyancy. By peeling back the rubber frog body and wrapping the hook shank with non-lead soldering wire, you can adjust the depth at which the frog sits in the water. Adding more wraps will increase buoyancy, while removing wraps will decrease it. This technique creates a commotion when the frog moves through weeds and water, attracting bass and other fish. Additionally, you can apply scent to the hook shank using a pipe cleaner, slowly dispersing it into the water to entice bass even further.
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Making your frog hop
Making your plastic frog hop is an effective way to attract bass. The hopping motion mimics the natural behaviour of a frog, and the resulting commotion will attract the attention of nearby fish.
To make your plastic frog hop, you can try the following:
First, ensure you have selected the right size frog for the fish you are targeting. Choose a hook that fits the size of the frog. The most common hook used for rigging a plastic frog is an extra-wide gape hook. Place the hook alongside the frog and take note of where the hook will enter and exit the frog. Insert the hook into the nose of the frog and push it through to near the eye of the hook. Rotate the hook so that the 90-degree part of the hook shank is at the nose of the frog. This will prevent the lure from sliding down when retrieving it. Push the hook through the end of the frog where you initially marked the exit point. Make sure the frog is on straight and re-rig the lure if it appears crooked.
To make the frog hop out of the water, cut a circle of clear plastic about the size of a quarter out of a plastic lure or hook box. Drill a hole in the centre, just large enough to slide the plastic over the line tie of the frog. Super-glue it to the nose of the frog. After casting, give the frog a medium-powered jerk, and it will hop out of the water.
Another method to make your frog hop and create a commotion is to peel back the rubber frog body and wrap the hook shank with non-lead soldering wire. You can adjust the buoyancy by adding or removing the amount of wire wrapped around the hook. After finishing the wrapping, pull the frog's rubber body back into place.
When retrieving your lure, use a slow retrieve with frequent pauses to mimic the action of a frog hopping from one lily pad to another. Bass tends to strike on the pause, so be sure to pause for several seconds between each jerking movement.
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Frequently asked questions
Rigging a plastic frog can be done in a variety of ways to suit your fishing style. One popular method is to use a weightless rig, while others may prefer a weighted jig head. To rig the frog, place the hook alongside it and take note of where the hook will enter and exit the frog. Insert the hook into the nose of the frog and push it through to near the eye of the hook. Rotate the hook so that the 90-degree part of the hook shank is at the nose of the frog, preventing the lure from sliding down when retrieving it. Finally, insert the hook through the end of the frog where you initially marked it.
A medium-heavy power, fast to mod-fast action rod is generally recommended for jigging a plastic frog. A shorter rod in the 6-foot, 10-inch to 7-foot range can provide more control. However, if fishing in heavy matted vegetation, a longer and more powerful rod may be necessary, despite sacrificing some casting distance.
Plastic frogs are effective for fishing in areas with weeds or at night. When casting, target thick weed patches, lily pads, or directly onto the shore, logs, or rocks. To mimic a frog's natural behaviour, loudly flop the lure into the water and slowly retrieve it with frequent pauses, imitating a frog hopping between lily pads. Experiment with tempo, pause time, and lure movement to attract nearby fish. Additionally, consider applying a silicone dry fly spray or paste to the line to improve floating and hook sets.
