Sofia Martinez
Soft plastic toads are a fun and effective way to fish. They are soft-plastic baits that come in blister packs and are not pre-rigged on hooks. They are also known as topwater toads or buzzing toads. They can be fished fast, which often leads to heart-stopping bites. They can be rigged in a few different ways, depending on the type of hook and setup used. The rod used is also important, as it needs to be able to throw a light bait. The retrieve is crucial when fishing with these toads, and they can be used in various conditions and situations, making them a versatile option for anglers.
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What You'll Learn
Use a heavy-duty swimbait hook for a Texas rig
When rigging a soft plastic toad, one of the best hooks for a Texas rig is a heavy-duty swimbait hook. This hook is designed to securely hold conventional soft plastics and prevent them from sliding down, even on hard casts and missed strikes.
The heavy-duty swimbait hook features a conical moulded plastic keeper that is positioned on the neck of the hook, making it easy to rig. The keeper locks the bait nose in place, ensuring that the hook remains aligned and reducing the need for Texposing. This alignment is further enhanced by a silicone bead, which also helps to reduce the need for Texposing and keeps the bait in place.
The heavy-duty swimbait hook is constructed with a dual-tapered hook point, ensuring sharpness and corrosion resistance thanks to its black nickel-plated finish. The slim weight profile of the hook allows baits to slide over effortlessly, and the weight is stamped on the lead for quick identification.
When using a heavy-duty swimbait hook for a Texas rig, it is important to select the appropriate hook size for the toad. A hook size of 3/0 to 5/0 is recommended, with 4/0 being perfect for a 4 1/2 inch toad. This hook size helps to avoid snags and grass fouls, making it ideal for fishing in areas with heavy cover.
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Add a weight to the hook to cast further
When toad fishing, you're going to be throwing your line into a lot of cover, so you need some heavy-duty gear. You'll also need to make long casts over big flats and large expanses of water. A heavy power, fast-action rod will help you to achieve this.
To cast further, you can add a weight to your hook. Adding weight to your lure can be very handy, especially if you are used to fishing with a certain weighted hook and can't find it in stock. For example, if you like using the Owner Twistlock in a 1/8 oz weight but can only find a 1/16 oz, you can increase the weight with a 1/16 nail weight. Nail weights are useful because they won't affect the action of the lure much, depending on where you place them. You can also use a weighted model of a heavy-duty swimbait hook, which will help the toad run straight and cast further.
When adding weight to your lure, you should place the weight on the front of the lure and as close to the weight that is already on the hook. You don’t want to put it anywhere near the back of the lure, or it will ride at an angle. Keep it centred with the lure itself and with the weight on the hook. The only con is that if you do not insert it properly and have to remove it and re-insert it, you may ruin your lure.
If you are using a weighted hook, you should consider the placement of the weight. You don't want the weight right at the top, as this will make your toad point downward and dig into the water, making it dive. You want the weight further back, where the hook starts to bend.
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Use as a buzzbait trailer for extra noise
Combining a buzzbait with a soft plastic toad is a popular choice among anglers. This combination is known as a buzz toad and has unique capabilities that set it apart from using a buzzbait or a toad in isolation.
To rig a soft plastic toad as a buzzbait trailer, start by removing the skirt from your buzzbait. This will expose the hook, to which you can then attach your soft plastic toad. Leave the hook point exposed at the end, similar to how you would rig a trailer on a jig. The added weight of the toad will allow you to cast the buzzbait farther and skip it better across the water surface.
The buzz toad is an excellent choice for fishing in shallow water, especially when there is dense vegetation, such as grass, lily pads, and other thick cover. The toad's weedless design enables it to manoeuvre through these environments effectively. Additionally, the constant movement and noise created by the buzzbait's spinning propeller attract bass by using sound, sight, and vibration.
When choosing a soft plastic toad for your buzzbait, consider the Zoom Horny Toad or the Stanley Ribbit. The Horny Toad has a faster action due to its small legs, while the Ribbit creates a chugging sound as it's reeled along, making it ideal for fishing in dirty or stained water. You can also experiment with colours to imitate natural prey. Basic colours like green pumpkin, white, watermelon with a pearl belly, and black are commonly used, along with a bright colour like chartreuse.
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Choose the right rod for accuracy and distance
The rod is a very important component of toad fishing. To choose the right rod for accuracy and distance, consider the following:
Length
The length of a rod is a critical factor in determining its casting distance and accuracy. Longer rods, typically 7 feet and longer, provide increased leverage, enabling you to cast lures farther. They are ideal for situations where longer casts are required, such as in clear or shallow water. However, longer rods can be harder to manoeuvre in close quarters. On the other hand, shorter rods, generally between 6'6" and 7' in length, offer more accuracy due to their manageability and manoeuvrability. They are a better choice when longer casts are not necessary, such as when fishing underwater structure.
Action
The action of a rod refers to how it bends and recovers during casting. A moderate action rod bends past the tip and into the middle section, providing "forgiveness" and making it suitable for treble hooks. A fast action rod, on the other hand, is stiffer and better suited for single hooks, providing faster power for hooksetting. For soft plastic toad fishing, a medium-heavy power fast to mod-fast action rod is recommended.
Power
The power of a rod determines the amount of pressure required to bend it. When choosing a rod, consider the weight of the lure or bait you will be using. Heavier lures require more power from the rod, while lighter lures call for a softer tip to aid in casting accuracy.
Material
The material of the rod also plays a role in its performance. Graphite rods are preferred for soft plastic fishing as they provide a better casting action and weigh less, which is important when casting the rod frequently.
Quality
While a high-quality rod does not guarantee improved performance, a poor-quality rod can hinder your fishing experience. More expensive rods tend to offer greater sensitivity, responsiveness, and accuracy.
In conclusion, choosing the right rod for soft plastic toad fishing requires considering factors such as length, action, power, material, and quality. By selecting a rod that suits your specific needs, you can achieve greater accuracy and distance in your casts.
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Use a drop of super-strength glue to keep the hook in place
When rigging soft plastic toads, one of the most important things to consider is how to keep the hook in place. A common problem with soft plastics is that the material can tear from hook sets, numerous casts, or thick cover. To prevent this issue, you can use a drop of super-strength glue to secure the hook.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use super-glue to keep your hook in place:
- Choose the right glue: Opt for super-strength glue designed for plastic surfaces. There are glues specifically made for mending swimbaits and lures, such as Mend-it.
- Prepare the surface: Ensure that the plastic toad and the hook eye are clean and dry before applying the glue.
- Apply the glue: Add a small drop of super-glue to the bait at the hook eye. Be careful not to use too much glue, as it can mess up the presentation of your toad.
- Secure the hook: Insert the hook into the desired position on the toad and hold it in place for a few seconds to allow the glue to set.
- Allow it to dry: Follow the glue's instructions for the recommended drying time.
Using super-strength glue is an effective way to keep your hook in place, but it's important to be cautious. Super-glue can be messy and difficult to remove from your skin, so wear protective gloves if needed. Additionally, be mindful of the presentation of your toad; you want to avoid getting glue on the toad's legs or body, as it can affect its action in the water.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular options include Berkley PowerBait Buzz’n Speed Toad, Berkley PowerBait Beat’n Paddle Frog, Yum's BuzzFrog, Zoom's Horny Toad, Gambler's Cane Toad, and Berkley Gulp's Bat Wing Frog.
It is recommended to stick to basic colours like green pumpkin, white, watermelon with a pearl belly, and black. It is also good to keep one bright colour like chartreuse. The idea is to imitate natural prey.
A heavy-duty swimbait hook, size 3/0 to 5/0, is a good option for a traditional Texas rig. Another option is a weighted model of the same hook, which helps the toad run straight and cast further.
A medium-heavy rod with a softer tip is ideal for aiding in casting accuracy. A shorter rod in the 6-foot, 10-inch to 7-foot range is also recommended.
