Frog fishing is often associated with late spring, summer, or fall. MLF’s Fred Roumbanis argues that early spring is an overlooked and excellent time to throw a frog. He shares several tips ranging from key water temperatures to observe, the ideal habitat, what to look for in a good frog, and the best rod setup for hollow body frog fishing.
TACKLE USED (retail links)
One of the most popular types of frogs for bass fishing is the hollow body collapsible frog, which floats on top of the water and requires the angler to control its movement. The Boom Boom Frog, designed by Fred, is a prime example. With unique features like fur on the back, which grips the fish’s teeth, the Boom Boom Frog offers a better hookup ratio than many other frogs on the market.
In early April, as the water temperature reaches 56 degrees, you might expect to be unsuccessful with frog fishing. However, by targeting shallow areas with wood debris, you can catch bass that have moved up due to warm days and are lingering in the shallows.
It’s essential to pay attention to the fish’s mood and adapt the lure’s movement accordingly. Walk the frog across open water or over cover – snapping the rod creates a walk-the-dog action and popping sound. This technique attract basss, especially in windy conditions.
While there are no best fishing rods and reels for all occasions, Roubanis offers up some excellent options. A fast 7:1 gear ratio reel and a heavy-action frog rod provides the power and control needed for frog fishing. When fishing in shallower areas, consider using an 8:1 reel to help cover more water and improve hookup ratios. Additionally, downsizing from a 65-pound to a 50-pound braided line supports longer casts and smoother bait movement.
As the water temperature rises in early spring, don’t hesitate to tie on a frog and explore the shallow areas for bass. With the right equipment and techniques, you might be surprised at the success you can achieve frog fishing in the early spring.
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn income when you click on an Amazon link. We also earn affiliate commissions off of other partner links. For a list of our affiliate partners, visit our retail partners page. Your link clicks help us fund the work we do for the fishing community.
Upriver Productions has been specializing in outdoor TV and media creation since 2009. We know more buzz baits than buzzwords and we'd rather be zooming in on elk than attending zoom meetings but we can do both! We're perfectly happy with our base in the Ozarks of Missouri but we've also worked in forty-three states and eight countries. We can make a video about the next great fish catcher on a shoestring or we can deliver a full season of award winning TV to a network with a million dollar budget.
FAQs
A fast 7:1 gear ratio reel and a heavy-action frog rod provides the power and control needed for frog fishing. When fishing in shallower areas, consider using an 8:1 reel to help cover more water and improve hookup ratios.
Are frogs good for spring fishing? ›
Frogs are ideal for reaching into the tight quarters where bass often spawn. Stick Around: Bed fish often grab bottom-oriented intruders just long enough to drag them out of the bed.
What action is best for frog fishing? ›
A medium-heavy action casting rod with a fast tip will work in most frog fishing applications. Using a high-speed casting reel allows you to bring in more line with each crank of the reel, which helps close the distance on long-distance hooksets you often see when frog fishing.
What time of year is best for frog fishing? ›
Simply put, frog fishing is best done in the summer. With the spawn being over and the temperature warm, bass are constantly busting on the surface, especially in areas with cover and shade. The heat causes fish to move into shallow regions, where it is less work for them to go for a topwater bait.
What pound line for frog fishing? ›
65 pound braid to a 25 - 30 pound leader usually does the trick. If the fish are a little shy, perhaps 15 or 20 pound fluorocarbon leader will do it for you. The fluorocarbon leader will give the line some invisibility, giving the frog a more natural presentation.
Do you need a heavy rod for frog fishing? ›
Frog fishing for bass doesn't always mean a heavy-action rod. While these stiffer rods are a necessity for fishing heavier cover such as matted vegetation, a lighter-action rod can pay big dividends when you're targeting sparse cover in shallow water.
What color is best for frog fishing? ›
The renowned hollow-belly frog specialist opts for frogs in light shades of brown, green or shad patterns for clear water and black, white or bright, bold hues for dirty water. Color choices can also be based on the type of bass forage you are trying to imitate.
What is the best rod setup for frog fishing? ›
Using a longer rod helps move more line during a hook set, thus giving an advantage to the angler. A 7 foot 3 inch rod is the perfect length for casting and setting the hook while being short enough to work a frog effectively. I do a lot of “walk the dog” action with my hollow body frogs.
Should I use a leader for frog fishing? ›
Most frog fishing veterans use stout braid – often 40- to 60-pound-test – with no leader. Bass are attacking through weeds and are not line shy. Strong braid and a heavy or medium-heavy rod with a lot of backbone allow you to keep pressure on the bass.
Can you fish a frog in spring? ›
Hollow body frogs are one of the most consistent topwater baits during the spring for BIG BASS, Frog fishing guru Dean Rojas explains how to fish frogs in this tell-all video. Hey everyone, I'm bass pro Dean Rojas, and you're with BassResource.com. We're gonna talk about frogging.
There is arguably no more exciting way to catch bass than having a giant largemouth blow up on a topwater frog. Frog fishing for bass offers an exhilarating, fast-paced, sight fishing opportunity that pushes your anticipation to the limit. Sometimes it can even be the most productive way to catch bass.
What is a good gear ratio for topwater? ›
The fast gear ratio reels of over 7.0:1 will allow for less time between casts to increase fishing efficiency. Topwater: In most cases, topwater baits are lightweight and/or create slack in the line. This creates a need for a fast reel of 7.0:1 or higher to pick up the slack in the line to be ready for the hookset.
What is the best set up for frog? ›
The best frog substrates aid with humidity. Try things like natural mosses over a bed of bioactive soil, laid over hydro balls to help maintain the moisture levels in the air, but remember to cater to the needs of the specific species you are looking after.
What gear ratio is best for fishing? ›
I prefer a higher speed spinning reel so I can reel in slack line faster and set the hook faster when I am fishing finesse tactics such as wacky worming or jigworming for bass. A low-speed spinning reel with a 4.9:1 gear ratio is the best bet for fishing with live or dead bait.
