How To Set The Hook On A Weedless Topwater Frog? 2024
Fishing N Boots reply :
Was out fishing my Fiance's GPA's ponds the other day in oklahoma. It was an extremely hot day, no clouds in sight, and as windy as it could be. I was using a Purple Booyah Pond Magic Spinner in one of the ponds that is probably 2 acres in size, and caught to small LMB's, probably not even a pound in size. When we were leaving i saw another pond and decided i would try it before we headed out. It was little bitty, I could cast from one side to the other, to give you an idea of how small it is. Mainly because we have been in a drout as of late.
This pond has Moss from the bottom to the top of the water, not a clear area anywhere, so decided to throw on the topwater weedless frog. I casted probably 20 times without getting any bites, decided i try it along the bank before heading out. Very first cast wack, a monster, he was probably 6-7lbs smacks it and i immediately tried to set the hook, while he was out of the water. Ended up almost getting a face full of frog. So i cast it out there again, bam, he smacks it again, and i set the hook extremely fast and miss him again. I throw it out there again, bam, he smacks it again, i let him take it for about 2 seconds, he's probably a foot under the water at this point and i yank on it. Boom, here comes the frog again. I checked the sharpness of the hooks, and they are sharp as can be.
So what im wondering is how do you land the fish with a weedless topwater frog? I was so upset the whole way home, that i never landed him. It was my first time fishing with a topwater and actually getting a bite. I must say, that has to be the funnest way to actually land a fish, freaked me smooth out whenever he smacked it, but was exhilirating. I dont know if maybe the reason i would yank it out was because it was so mossy, or if im setting the hook to soon. I wasn't yanking hard enough to tear through the guy, but i just am dumbfounded.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as i plan to go out there and fish it again.
BrianinMD reply :
On the top water strikes don't set the hook until you feel pressure from the fish taking it. They will miss a good percentage of the time. Once you feel pressure set the hook hard, those big thick hooks take some force to get into them good.
A good stout rod helps along with braid, for my tourney saturday I was fishing this technique. I used a 7ft 6in heavy action rod and 65lb braid.
clayton86 reply :
X2 to brian
A lot of times they miss and circle back u won't notice cuz there isn't always a big splash the 2nd time but lower rod tip and start to reel till u feel that tug tug and cross there eyes with the hookset. Takes some timing and getting used to every year I miss my first few frog bites cuz I get exited by the splash and yank to fast.
J Francho reply :
I don't go by feel with the frog. If I can't see it anymore, I'm whaling on the fish. If it all works like it should, it looks like this:
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
I'm with Francho. If I can't see it anymore, I'm going to try and cross his eyes. Especially in really thick stuff. Frogs aren't feel baits. If I see a blowup, I'm counting to two and then swinging for the fences. If I miss him, that's when something weightless will get tossed in the area of the blowup. I don't miss too many on a frog.
bigbassctchr101 reply :
On 6/21/2011 at 2:02 AM, Fishing N Boots said:Was out fishing my Fiance's GPA's ponds the other day in oklahoma. It was an extremely hot day, no clouds in sight, and as windy as it could be. I was using a Purple Booyah Pond Magic Spinner in one of the ponds that is probably 2 acres in size, and caught to small LMB's, probably not even a pound in size. When we were leaving i saw another pond and decided i would try it before we headed out. It was little bitty, I could cast from one side to the other, to give you an idea of how small it is. Mainly because we have been in a drout as of late.
This pond has Moss from the bottom to the top of the water, not a clear area anywhere, so decided to throw on the topwater weedless frog. I casted probably 20 times without getting any bites, decided i try it along the bank before heading out. Very first cast wack, a monster, he was probably 6-7lbs smacks it and i immediately tried to set the hook, while he was out of the water. Ended up almost getting a face full of frog. So i cast it out there again, bam, he smacks it again, and i set the hook extremely fast and miss him again. I throw it out there again, bam, he smacks it again, i let him take it for about 2 seconds, he's probably a foot under the water at this point and i yank on it. Boom, here comes the frog again. I checked the sharpness of the hooks, and they are sharp as can be.
So what im wondering is how do you land the fish with a weedless topwater frog? I was so upset the whole way home, that i never landed him. It was my first time fishing with a topwater and actually getting a bite. I must say, that has to be the funnest way to actually land a fish, freaked me smooth out whenever he smacked it, but was exhilirating. I dont know if maybe the reason i would yank it out was because it was so mossy, or if im setting the hook to soon. I wasn't yanking hard enough to tear through the guy, but i just am dumbfounded.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as i plan to go out there and fish it again.
And you won't...Jack his jaws, cross his eyes, etc ... this is the type of fishing where you can really drive home a hookset. If you set it hard enough to turn the fish towards you and out of the water... you ALMOST set it hard enough lol
Fishing N Boots reply :
Thanks for the tips you guys. I may have to try and set it harder next time then. Like i said, the one time he did actually take it under the water, i guess i ripped it out. So i guess next time i just need to be more patient, wait for him to take it and rip the crap out of it.
bassin is addicting reply :
one of the most if not thee most exciting ways to fish!!
but it can be hard not to react too soon...
like others have said...wait...feel some weight.... then let her have it..
one other thing... you didn't say what frog you were using... some are definitely better/softer than others and have a better hook up ratio.
collegefishing12 reply :
Try bending the hooks outward about 10-15 degrees from the body of the bait. I have done that to all my frogs and would say that my ratio has went from 55-60% to 75-80%. As far as whether to wait or not, I think it depends on the bite. If they are engulfing it and not spitting it right away, you should be able to wait for the tug. If you notice they are spitting it quickly, set the hook right away. From my experience they will do one or the other, so you should have a good idea of which method to use relatively quickly. If your looking to get an extra 2-3 seconds of hold, try dousing it in some megastrike. Some may disagree, but try for yourself and figure out what works for you and your wat.
collegefishing12 reply :
Water*
J Francho reply :
I'm still wondering what you would be waiting for?
If they're spitting it out, quickly, then you missed your opportunity. If they aren't, and you set the hook right away, then what's wrong with that? Either they have the frog in their mouth or they don't. It's not going to magically jump in their mouth while you wait. The longer you wait to set the hook, the less chances you have of of sticking the fish.
If you don't see your frog anymore, set the hook.
CWB reply :
On 6/21/2011 at 2:35 AM, J Francho said:I don't go by feel with the frog. If I can't see it anymore, I'm whaling on the fish. If it all works like it should, it looks like this:
Totally agree with JF.
If frog is gone, either fish has it or has taken it under and let go. Set the hook hard as soon as you cant see the bait. I used to wait until I felt the fish and alot of times by the time I reeled in slack and hit 'em, I missed.
If you get a blowup and you can still see the frog, twitch it a few times. if no hit, Toss a Senko into the hole the fish made and let it sink. Most time this will work. Also, remember, a hookset costs you nothing. If you get a strike and bait is gone, check quick to see if line is moving , then hit 'em.
Sometimes no matter what you do, you will miss as the fish inhales a pound of grass around the bait and when you set the hook, all you're doing is pulling the whole mess out of the fishes mouth. I've found if a big one blows up on your bait and you no longer see it, he either has it and is back in his hiding spot or has taken it down into the slop and it is fouled up with weeds.
Feeling is pretty similar unless fish decides to take off. Hit 'em with all you got!
J Francho reply :
Today, I added a pink dot sticker to my black frog. The kind you use to price stuff at garage sale. It worked great, went 3 for 4 in about 40 minutes I had for lunch break. You no see 'em dot, you set 'em hook, cowboy! The dot held up for that time, but will probably need to be replaced soon.
BrianinMD reply :
Good suggestion JF, the issue I have with setting the hook when you can't see the frog is they sit low in the water anyway. Losing site of them is almost always a case with the splash from the strike. That is why I wait until I feel pressure, or yes line movement but usually not enough slack to see it move without feeling it.
clayton86 reply :
All this froging talk is making me want to throw a frog but I did all last night and Friday with no luck besides one that's it. But u also gotta be watchfull for the smart gals that just suck the frog with out the slash and comotion that makes froging fun. I missed one 2 sundays ago waiting for JF. I'm 1 for 2 with the frog this year
Hyrule Bass reply :
the minute the frog goes under and i dont see it im setting the hook. i dont count to 3 or 5 or none of that. and also as others have said, cross the eyes of the fish with a hard hookset
Chaz Hickcox reply :
To give you a perspective on what everyone else is saying, I was fishing frogs A LOT in May. Caught maybe 70-80 fish throughout the month on frogs alone. With that being said, I now have to get a new spool for my Revo SX because I bent it ever so slightly with the hard hooksets. Sometimes with frogs there is no splash, and that's how May started out. They get up under them and slurp them under. All you know is your frog is gone. Count one-two and try to set so hard the fish will wind up on the moon. You have to be using a stout rod or you will certainly break it.
joshmb1999 reply :
would you all recommend a medium heavy or a heavy power rod?
clayton86 reply :
Definitly heavy or mh rods for sure I've landed a few on light and med rods because that's all I took with me but its a pain and frustrating when u can't get the fish in because your wraped around a lilly pad or cat tails. 50 or better braid is also a must
BrianinMD reply :
I fish the lower Potomac River which in many areas is choked with thick grass. Wouldn't use anything less then a heavy action rod with 50lb+ braid for frogs.
bigbassctchr101 reply :
I think you could easily get by with either rod. I personally use 17lb mono with a heavy rod but have had just as much success with 40-65lb braid with a MH rod.
Fishing N Boots reply :
Awesome. Thanks guys. Like i said i plan to fish the spot again this weekend and will try some of the things you guys have said. I really hope i snag one of them suckers. I can only use a frog on this pond as it is just saturated in moss.
Is there any particular time of day that is best to fish frogs? I figured that since here in Oklahoma it has been in the high 90's low 100's with no cloud cover that it would be best in the morning time or at night. Once again, thanks for the responses, didn't know i would get that much information.
BassThumb reply :
If I think I had a strike, I will drop the rod tip so it's pretty much pointing at the fish or a little above it, and start reeling as fast as I can. If I feel any weight or see the line begin to straighten out, I'll set the hook, preferably before I feel the fish. If you tighten up the line with a frog in a fishes mouth, there's a chance that the fish will spit it out. I'll do this anytime there's a splash or swirl, or if the frog disappears.
Fishing N Boots reply :
Awesome, thanks for the replys again. I am not sure as to what type of frog it is, it's old, the hooks are still sharp though. I will be fishing Lake Eufaula this weekend so plan to use it in the morning. I was never able to make it back to the pond unfortunately to catch that monster, yet it will be happening at some point this summer.
Bassmasstaa reply :
I have missed 2 this year same day guessing over 7 lbs a piece as i had new berkley mono on with a newly tied palomar on a KVD frog. Bith hit very hard and i snapped 14 lb test setting the hook instantly. Sad day it was
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 4/11/2018 at 1:03 PM, Bassmasstaa said:I have missed 2 this year same day guessing over 7 lbs a piece as i had new berkley mono on with a newly tied palomar on a KVD frog. Bith hit very hard and i snapped 14 lb test setting the hook instantly. Sad day it was
Mono with a frog is just asking for heartbreak. 50lb braid is the lightest I go with a frog, paired with a 7' 3" H/F and 9.3:1 reel. You want to move the fish quickly out of heavy cover and be able to get their head up to keep them from burying you into the grass.
If I can't see the frog, I'm setting the hook. If a fish strikes and the frog disappears, there's only 1 place it could have gone IMO. Sure I miss some still, but I'd much rather swing too soon than get to feel one spitting my frog out while I tried to feel for it. Most of my frog hooksets are pretty instantaneous with the strike.
Hyrule Bass reply :
i use 15-20lb mono for frogs, ive never had an issue. while braid may be preferred by many, i dont think its a necessity. as i use mono for everything. I'm thinking/guessing the problem bassmasstaa is having could be knot related, or an issue with the line like maybe it was frayed or something, or even too tight of a drag for the line being used...
Clint1984 reply :
Hi guys. I’be been loving all the bass chat. I’m pretty new to fishing with frogs but been using a hollow body frog recently and loving the blow ups!! Same thing with me though is I can’t set the hook and catch em. Do you think I should be trying to lift the hooks a little with pliers or something or is hooken a fish just something that comes with practice?
Hammer 4 reply :
On 2/19/2020 at 3:16 PM, Clint1984 said:Hi guys. I’be been loving all the bass chat. I’m pretty new to fishing with frogs but been using a hollow body frog recently and loving the blow ups!! Same thing with me though is I can’t set the hook and catch em. Do you think I should be trying to lift the hooks a little with pliers or something or is hooken a fish just something that comes with practice?
Yup, you wanna bend the hooks upward and outward a touch. Also, make sure the hooks are Super sharp. I take it your using a heavy powered rod, and at least 50 lb braid. Doing these will increase your chances, then there's spending the time on the water.
Clint1984 reply :
Thanks so much man.
Ogandrews reply :
Good advice but make sure you only bend the hooks up and out a tiny bit, you barely want to be able to notice that you adjusted it. If you bend them even the slightest amount too much your going to really up your chances of that fish coming off. The other thing I try to do is wait a second before you set the hook and try your best to set the opposite direction of where the fish is going. If you pay close attention to the hit a lot of the time you can tell which side the bass is diving down to, so if you set in the other direction a lot of the time you can get a stronger hook set. Proper gear will also make as big of a difference as anything else. I use a dobyns mag heavy 7’3” with 65lbs maxcuatro braid. If you can get it I’d strongly recommend maxcuatro, it is a very thin and somewhat coarse braid that does an amazing job cutting through weeds on the hook set as well as giving you as much casting distance as possible
OnthePotomac reply :
Well, frog anglers, if you add a Lake Fork Frog Tail Hook misses are over.
https://www.cabelas.com/product/LAKE-FORK-TROPHY-FROG-TAIL-HOOK/1754374.uts?slotId=2
Clint1984 reply :
For sure. I also have added one of those. Thanks for all the advice guys. Let’s hope I get one!!
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