I know its not top water time but I'm in the market for a new hollow body frog. Right now I'm using a spro bonzeye. I really like it but is there anything better out now?
Check out the new snag proof frog.This looks like a money bait.Baitmonkey is screamin' :
http://www.***.com/descpageHDTSNAG-SPBK.html
QuoteCheck out the new snag proof frog.This looks like a money bait.Baitmonkey is screamin' :http://www.***.com/descpageHDTSNAG-SPBK.html
X2. Already bought a few.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat601233&id=0053847122721a&navCount=5&podId=0053847&parentId=cat601233&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true
Have not tried these but heard good things.
Always liked Snagproof Bobbys Perfect and Boze Sumo also.
Have you considered the Rage Tail frog. not you traditional frog, since it can move like a Buzz bait, as well as a normal frog.
memo
I like using the Spro Bonzeye frog but if I had to choose of my favorites it would be the rage tail frog. It causes a lot of commotion on the surface and gets you strike when a hollow body frog would not normally. A hollow body works a lot better over a thin mat while a rage tail frog will make the noise that you would want over a heavy mat.
I fish the Potomac River where the mats can get extremley thick and hard to punch through so I like to throw the rage tail frog and I have caught more fish that way.
However if you are fishing right around thin mats, brush or lily oads I would suggest a Bonzeye frog.
Hope my info helped you.
QuoteHave you considered the Rage Tail frog. not you traditional frog, since it can move like a Buzz bait, as well as a normal frog.memo
These ragetails seem to work very well. I personally havent used them, but watched a show of some guys fishing them and they were catching bass left and right.
SWAMP DONKEY!!!!!!
Try one of the new Spro poppin' frogs with the big mouth on it.
It is a little hard to compare floating frogs like the SnagProof and Spro to buzzfrogs like Rage, Ribbit, and horney toads. All have a purpose and a time to fish them.
Spro frogs seem to skip the best for me under docks and trees. I don't like the way the hook lays away from the plastic, but for open water it seems to work OK.
Snagpoof frogs work just about anywhere for anything. Calling up hogs out of the slop, worked over weed beds, or walk the dog along cover. The plastic is a little on the soft side so they don't seem as easy to skip, but they are very durable and hold up well.
Rage toads are a buzz frog that makes a racket. Caught the big smallmouth in my avatar with one this summer. To be effective buzz frogs for the most part need to be moving unlike floating frogs and just sitting with attract fish.
Ribbits are the light weights of the buzz frogs, but for their size they do make a lot of noise with their little paddle feet and do work well even with a chop on the water.
Horny toad the oldest of the buzz frogs is a staple in most frogging arsenals. Rigged on a EWG hook and run over just about any cover you can name draw strikes from anything with fins. One thing to notice is the noise a Horny toad makes is more of a pitter-pat and early in the morning or on calm water makes a nice subtle top water presentation that draws big fish.
QuoteIt is a little hard to compare floating frogs like the SnagProof and Spro to buzzfrogs like Rage, Ribbit, and horney toads. All have a purpose and a time to fish them.Spro frogs seem to skip the best for me under docks and trees. I don't like the way the hook lays away from the plastic, but for open water it seems to work OK.
Snagpoof frogs work just about anywhere for anything. Calling up hogs out of the slop, worked over weed beds, or walk the dog along cover. The plastic is a little on the soft side so they don't seem as easy to skip, but they are very durable and hold up well.
Rage toads are a buzz frog that makes a racket. Caught the big smallmouth in my avatar with one this summer. To be effective buzz frogs for the most part need to be moving unlike floating frogs and just sitting with attract fish.
Ribbits are the light weights of the buzz frogs, but for their size they do make a lot of noise with their little paddle feet and do work well even with a chop on the water.
Horny toad the oldest of the buzz frogs is a staple in most frogging arsenals. Rigged on a EWG hook and run over just about any cover you can name draw strikes from anything with fins. One thing to notice is the noise a Horny toad makes is more of a pitter-pat and early in the morning or on calm water makes a nice subtle top water presentation that draws big fish.
WOW!
Thank you, that's one heck of a post.
8-)
Look I fish frog nearly year round down here in the swamps and the Rage Tail is by far the best on the market as far as any frogs go. As far as hollow body frogs are concerned I only throw the Scum frog.
Hey Big-O if your listening Rage Tail should come out with a hollow body frog with the Rage Tail design but don't forget the trailer hook.
In the world of frog fishing, my favorite is a small 4" frog made by the The Wright Bait Company.
http://www.thewrightbait.com/4__frogs.htm
I'd characterize it as a finesse frog, if there is such a thing. Rig it on a 3/0 EWG or Owner Twist Lock. It has a great little action when buzzed.
I just bought a couple of these.
http://www.***.com/descpageHDTSNAG-SPFMT.html
cant wait to try them
QuoteI just bought a couple of these.http://www.***.com/descpageHDTSNAG-SPFMT.html
cant wait to try them
Well I've also turned into a frog nut. Here is my small but very effective collection so far.
The first is the Natural green version of the spro. From left to right the second is the spro in Barney, and then Green Tree. I also had the spro in Natural Red that did well for me but I lost it on a stump. After that we have the Japanese Cover Jack that IMHO will offer a great Gizzard shad look in the color I have. It also has a small blade that spins.
Then we have the Furbit Popper frog. That thing is huge and I haven't hooked up on one yet but I bought it late in the season and haven't put much time on it. I did have one HUGE strike on it though. I was fishing with my buddy and it had been a slow day so I decided to tie on the Popper furbit. Well I popped that thing along and then turned to my buddy to ask him something and then I saw my partners eyes go and I felt a sudden hard pull on my rod and my instincts failed me. I set that hook as hard as I could and the bait came flying at us. Only then did I seem to hear the splash. I never even saw the strike because I was looking away. My buddy looked at me and said "that was a BIG FISH!".
After that we have the buzz frogs the first is the floating Stanley and the last the new larger Stanley frog. Although I must say I'm going to be changing my buzz frog colors to white because white seems to produce more for me. I think the buzz frogs are great search baits and reaction baits but I greatly prefer the spro style frogs. It really doesn't matter because they are both completely different lures frankly.
Personally I think this is what's most important about the frogs. Who cares about what we see, care about what the bass see. Can you guess my favorite? The natural green spro has a yellow outer ring and a inner white ring with black sports all around. I think this color matches the hatch in my area and bass go nuts on it. I fished it most of the summer landing many bass over 5lbs. I'm planing on retiring the one in the pics to use only on my club tourneys. There is just something special about that one frog. I've literally went swimming at least twice to save it this year while fishing in ponds. It didn't get hung or anything but rather my braid failed twice this year after backlashes. I can't tell you how nerve racking it is to be out swimming for a lure and looking at it preying a fish doesn't beat you to it. ;D
Notice on the Natural Green and the Barney the length I've trimmed them. Most of you probably knows this REALLY helps them walk. The longer skirt IMHO helps to get a bite when you are resting a frog on the mat though. While at the same time i think it causes misses.Then the shorter skirt helps it walk and drives fish crazy in open water and along a grass line. Another key on the spro frogs is the tie on loop. Often times they can be a little stiff out of the box so brake them in some.
I also had the lighter version of the frog you bought in chart and gave it to my dad. I didn't have good hook ups and I just plain didn't like it. Personally unless the cover jack sets the world on fire for me I plan on just buying the Spro frogs in more colors. I bought the Popper Furbit simply because the Spro Popper wasn't out yet and now I can't wait to throw that baby! I might also try a BRPS frog I saw that looked allot like the spro but had the single tail design that I think works better resting on a mat.
Since you are starting a nice collection Simp, you just gotta try the Deps Basirisky.It is more of a surface crawler,not a poppin,twitchin,buzzin frog.
QuoteSWAMP DONKEY!!!!!!
I've heard a few people complain about the Swamp Donkey taking on water. Anyone had this problem?
I have been having problems with my spro taking on water, after a couple of casts i have to squeeze it so the water comes out. The river2sea and the spro look identical besides the fact that the river2sea has a lil o ring by the hook.
Hollow body frog I like the Spro. They're balanced right and you can cast a mile with them. Even though from time to time water does get into them, it's really no big deal because all those hollow bodied frog will get water in them.
Buzzbait type frogs Strike King's Rage Tail is the best IMO. Lots of water commotion compared to the others on the market.
QuoteBuzzbait type frogs Strike King's Rage Tail is the best IMO. Lots of water commotion compared to the others on the market.
Aren't they the same as Horny Toad? Looks similar.
For me, I could careless how pretty the frog looks, I know the fish is not getting a good look at the frog 95% of the time, so I don't care about the designs on it, with one exception being the stomach of the frog. The stomach is the one thing that fish might get a glance at, so what I look for color wise on the stomach of the frog is any shades of green, white, or black will do. I don't care about how pretty the designs are, just a shade of either white, green or black. The top color of the frog is absolutely worthless to me, so I don't care about it.
The 2 main concerns I am looking for in a frog are that it doesn't take on water, because what good is it to me if it floats for a few minutes, and then begins to sink!? Its good to go in the trash is what its good for...
And lastly, that its soft, and the hooks rest on the top of the frog, not down low along the sides of the frog. What good is the frog if I can't hook the fish thats engulfing it? I have found softer frogs to get a better hookset, because imo they collapse alot easier when a fish's mouth is on them.
So far I have found three frogs that are up to my standards, that is a original scumfrog, bobbys perfect frog, scumfrog popper style.
Frogs that I have disliked, are spro, manns, a frog which I forget the name but it has 2 little feet that cross on top of one another.
The spro frog I have found to have a bad hookup ratio imo. Some come softer then others, some come harder then others, some take on water. And some come with a pretty good consistency, not to soft, not to hard, doesn't take on water. But I am not payin 7$ a frog if theres a chance the frog is going to have a problem. I simply don't have the money for that.
I usually use the horney toad with a extra wide gap hook. Un-fortunately the hook ratio is pretty low but it does creat alot of comotion on the surface. I love fishing the toad.
My suggestion will be the XPS Walkin Frog, you would not believe how far it cast, with a long hollow body it gives you more room to set the hook when the fish hits.
The Spro Bronze Eye frog is a good frog, but I have trouble sometimes setting the hook.
Another recommendation will be the Rage Tail Toad.
PS. With Frogs NEVER be scared to throw in the thickest nastiest pack of seed weed ever.
hollow body toad standard: swamp donkey from reaction
hollow body toad buzz tail: little bigfoot from scum frog
buzz frog: gitem toad from gitem baits (there is no comparison)
BARON49_Northern NY have you tried the Stanley 4 Bull Ribbit?
What ever y'all do never ever use a Ribbit as a jig trailer or Bull Ribbit Texas Rigged with a screw lock weight
For a hollow body try Bigfoot Scum
http://www.scumfrog.com/bigfoot.html
QuoteFor me, I could careless how pretty the frog looks, I know the fish is not getting a good look at the frog 95% of the time, so I don't care about the designs on it, with one exception being the stomach of the frog. The stomach is the one thing that fish might get a glance at, so what I look for color wise on the stomach of the frog is any shades of green, white, or black will do. I don't care about how pretty the designs are, just a shade of either white, green or black. The top color of the frog is absolutely worthless to me, so I don't care about it.The 2 main concerns I am looking for in a frog are that it doesn't take on water, because what good is it to me if it floats for a few minutes, and then begins to sink!? Its good to go in the trash is what its good for...
And lastly, that its soft, and the hooks rest on the top of the frog, not down low along the sides of the frog. What good is the frog if I can't hook the fish thats engulfing it? I have found softer frogs to get a better hookset, because imo they collapse alot easier when a fish's mouth is on them.
So far I have found three frogs that are up to my standards, that is a original scumfrog, bobbys perfect frog, scumfrog popper style.
Frogs that I have disliked, are spro, manns, a frog which I forget the name but it has 2 little feet that cross on top of one another.
The spro frog I have found to have a bad hookup ratio imo. Some come softer then others, some come harder then others, some take on water. And some come with a pretty good consistency, not to soft, not to hard, doesn't take on water. But I am not payin 7$ a frog if theres a chance the frog is going to have a problem. I simply don't have the money for that.
Great post but I just don't undestand how your having issues with bad hook ups on the spro. The number one reason why I went to the spro and continue to use it is GREAT hook ups. As long as I give the fish the proper time I'd say 90-95% of the time I've got the fish. Most of the time I'm also setting the hook at a extreme distance as well (thanks braid!).
QuoteQuoteThe 2 main concerns I am looking for in a frog are that it doesn't take on water, because what good is it to me if it floats for a few minutes, and then begins to sink!? Its good to go in the trash is what its good for...And lastly, that its soft, and the hooks rest on the top of the frog, not down low along the sides of the frog. What good is the frog if I can't hook the fish thats engulfing it? I have found softer frogs to get a better hookset, because imo they collapse alot easier when a fish's mouth is on them.
Great post but I just don't undestand how your having issues with bad hook ups on the spro. The number one reason why I went to the spro and continue to use it is GREAT hook ups. As long as I give the fish the proper time I'd say 90-95% of the time I've got the fish. Most of the time I'm also setting the hook at a extreme distance as well (thanks braid!).
1. superglue/epoxy at the nose eliminates the water problem from any hollow bodied toad.
2. when you have hooks on your frog that are more easily exposed, you will not be able to fish it in the heavy heavy cover. get a 7'2 - 7'6 stout rod w/ 40-65# braid and if the spro were made out of tire rubber you would still hookup. HIT EM!*
*disclaimer, i have broken 7 rods in 2 years on the frog
I hear ya there I had two handles where the cork broke on me. I could have easily broken rods in two if it wasn't for me supporting them half way up. These weren't 6 or 6'6 rods either but rather a 7ft MH set up with 40lb braid. Later in the year I also bought a Daiwa light and tough frog rod that I LOVE! It's also like you and many others have also said you must fish braid with a frog. I don't care what frog you have if your using mono you will lose three times the fish is not more. Seriously I'd take a 6'6 M spinning rod with braid over a 7'6 (name your brand here) with a baitcaster that had mono.
QuoteI also bought a Daiwa light and tough frog rod that I LOVE!
I've got the 7'6 Diawa Light and Tough Heavy action sitting in the corner, because i broke 2 of them. This thing is brand new. Its yours at a serious discount my man!
I'm pretty stocked up on baitcasting rods with a new Avid coming and all. The only thing thing that I might end up buying is a decent spinning combo.
QuoteQuoteQuoteThe 2 main concerns I am looking for in a frog are that it doesn't take on water, because what good is it to me if it floats for a few minutes, and then begins to sink!? Its good to go in the trash is what its good for...And lastly, that its soft, and the hooks rest on the top of the frog, not down low along the sides of the frog. What good is the frog if I can't hook the fish thats engulfing it? I have found softer frogs to get a better hookset, because imo they collapse alot easier when a fish's mouth is on them.
Great post but I just don't undestand how your having issues with bad hook ups on the spro. The number one reason why I went to the spro and continue to use it is GREAT hook ups. As long as I give the fish the proper time I'd say 90-95% of the time I've got the fish. Most of the time I'm also setting the hook at a extreme distance as well (thanks braid!).
1. superglue/epoxy at the nose eliminates the water problem from any hollow bodied toad.
2. when you have hooks on your frog that are more easily exposed, you will not be able to fish it in the heavy heavy cover. get a 7'2 - 7'6 stout rod w/ 40-65# braid and if the spro were made out of tire rubber you would still hookup. HIT EM!*
*disclaimer, i have broken 7 rods in 2 years on the frog
7 rods in 2 years? haha.....are you clumsy or just doing slack line sets with braid?
The spro is my personal favorite. They do have some duds though. Some take on water right out of the box. Some of them arent quite as weedless. Some are perfect.
I think i have 10-12 of them in the box right now. There are a couple that are money that i treasure.
Also the spros often get ripped down by the hook when fishing on braid. I guess it is to be expected.
Quote7 rods in 2 years? haha.....are you clumsy or just doing slack line sets with braid?
if you are fishing in the heavy stuff and you give it a 3 count they have time to establish a couple maybe more points of contact, so you have to make sure you drive the hook in my opinion.
im not clumsy man, i take offense! ive only fallen out of my boat once this year.
QuoteBARON49_Northern NY have you tried the Stanley 4 Bull Ribbit?What ever y'all do never ever use a Ribbit as a jig trailer or Bull Ribbit Texas Rigged with a screw lock weight
For a hollow body try Bigfoot Scum
http://www.scumfrog.com/bigfoot.html
Yes I have tried the Bullribbit and here in NY it will catch BIG Northerns, Muskies, Dogfish, etc, but no matter where I have tried the Bullribbit it has not produced very well for me, same with the Bigfoot.
If I could have only one buzzfrog it would be the standard sized Ribbit and only one floating frog it would be the Snagproof Tournament floating frog. Have caught 100's of bass from NY to Florida in the 3 to 6 pound class with these two baits.
I have SPRO and Bobbies perfect frog they both have there strengths. If i had to chose I would go with Perfect frog easy to walk. 8-)
I have tried almost every hollow frog there is too try. Hands down, I like Snag Proofs Bobbys Perfect frog the most. I really liked the Reaction Innovations Swamp Donkey until the weights fell out of the five I bought. You just gotta super glue them in. But the Swamp Donkey walks easier than the Snag Proof since it is narrower. Find a frog you like and stick with it. Frogs are one of my favorite ways to fish. Remember, you GOTTA have the right setup. I like 65lb or more braid, 7'6" extra fast medium heavy or heavy rod, and to top it off a 7:1 reel. Right now I am using my Powell 765 with a Revo SC and 65lb Power Pro braid. Many say you don't need braid. You don't but I would never fish a frog without braid. Take my advice or leave it.
There is nothing better then a Snag Proof Bobbys Perfect Frog!
I'm a big fan of the spro lazer eyes, always have been! I recently got some Rano Toro's from elgrandelures ( http://www.elgrandelures.com//~stores/95406_preview.jpg ) and I'll tell you what, This is my new favorite frog. It's huge and has some killer action. Horny toad's and ribbit's don't have a thing on these jokers. Soon as the weather warms up a little I'll get you pic's of the hog's I catch on them... lol
I like the SPRO Bronzeye series, R2Sea Bully Wa and Step Wa baits, the Scum Frog Big Foot and Lil Big Foot and the DEPS Basirisky baits.
Frogs can leak around the nose, but also around the area the hook exits the body.
Just squeeze them now and then and keep fishing.
I have been fishing the Boze Sumo Frog for a couple of years now and I like it just fine. It's worth a try.
http://www.***.com/descpageHDTNATFRIEN-BZSUMFG.html