Topwater

Topwater Frog Lures

Find out everything you need to know about topwater frogs lures and how to fish them!

Recommended Line

Fluoro Mainline

None

Braid Mainline

50-65lb

Mono Leader

None

Recommended Rod & Reel

Rod Type

Baitcaster

Rod Length

7’0”-7’6”

Rod Action

Fast

Rod Power

Medium-Heavy, Heavy, Extra-Heavy

Topwater Frog Lures

Diagram

Video Guide

Play Video
Topwater Frog Lures

If you want to try your hand at topwater frog fishing, then you will know what an exciting experience this can be. That being said, you may also have no idea where to start either. If you want to make sure that your fishing experience is everything that you want it to be, this is the guide for you.

What are Topwater Frog Lures?

Believe it or not, the first thing that you have to know is that there are three different types of topwater frogs. Each one of them will come with a number of strengths and weaknesses. Most beginners should start with the walking frog and then add more as required.

Topwater Frog Lures

Walking Frogs

Walking frogs are a classic option. You can fish with them as fast or as slow as you want. You can drag them, walk the dog, twitch or even burn the bait if you want. There are plenty of manufacturers and any color combination that you can imagine. A lot of serious fishermen choose to devote a tackle tray just so that they can store their frog arsenal.

Popping Frogs

Another option would be popping frogs. This style of frog is a strong evolution of the traditional frog. It’s got a plastic lip and a cupped mouth, meaning it can spit water or even chug bubbles. It can also walk back and forth at the same time as all of this. A popper is ideal if you want to create a bit more action or commotion. Frogs like this are smaller in size when compared to other options.

Plopping Frogs

These frogs have part hollow body and part prop bait. They are new to the bass scene, and they have legs that rotate. Bass cannot resist this kind of commotion and therefore they are great at areas that have thick cover.

Best Frog Setup

So, if you want to go frog fishing then you’ll want to make sure that you choose the right rod. Looking at the rod wall at your tackle shop can seem daunting, as it may seem that there is a rod for every single technique out there. Luckily, with frog fishing, you just need to make sure that you have a heavy rod with a fast tip. This will give you the chance to get the right amount of action with the frog, but it also gives you the chance to pull the fish out of cover. A lot of frog rods are good at pitching setups so that you can use a lot of techniques if you are on a tighter budget.

Moving on, what’s the right reel when it comes to frog fishing?

Your reel is not as important as the rod when it comes to this type of fishing, but you do need to make sure that you have the right gear ratio. High-speed reels have been developed and it makes a huge difference. When you are fishing in thick cover, you have to make sure that your hookset is right. You need to have a 7:1:1 ratio or an 8:1:1 ratio. This will give you the chance to get the fish back to the boat faster and it will stop it from getting buried. 

Next up, line. You have to make sure that you have a heavy, braided line. A 65lb test braid is the minimum you should be using here. You should also note that heavy braid floats so that you can give your frog a good amount of action as well as keeping it close to the surface.

how to fish topwater frog lures for bass fishing

How to Fish Topwater Frog Lures

Frogs and other floating lures tend to offer a distinct advantage if you are bed fishing. You can put one over the bed and have it remain there. Cast beyond the bed so that you do not spook the fish. If you are fishing close to shore, cast your lure right onto the bank and then drag it into the water. Take the frog, slowly to the target and be patient. After a minute, do a slight twitch. This is usually all you’ll need to get a strike.

If you can’t see the beds, or if you have cover from stumps, weeds or downed trees then this is a brilliant way for you to catch spawning bash. There is no cover too thick or gnarled for you to fish in if you have a weedless frog.  Experienced fisherman will usually use a 50 or a 65lb braided line. They walk the frog over to the weeds and they twitch the rod just enough to make the lure move. You can skip a frog across the surface if you want to get to overhanging branches. Let the bass get a good strike by letting it sit for a bit before you retrieve it.

The most common time for you to catch a fish when using a plastic frog would be in spring. You need to use a slow stop and start motion along the shoreline cover. You may pick up bass here, but these tend to be good areas for pre-spawn fish. This is especially the case if you are working with deeper water. Make a nice, long cast and then twitch the frog on the way back. Work any small or isolated cover near to the edge. Use this technique alongside any rocky points or on any grassy banking. This is especially the case with spawning coves.

When to Use Topwater Frog Lures

What time of day is best when it comes to frog fishing? Truth be told, nobody really knows. Topwater baits are the most effective when they are used later in the day or early on under cloudy skies. Ideally, you’ll have a slight ripple in the water. You may find that there is a flurry of activity and then a sudden stoppage as well. Sometimes there are good days and there are bad days. The fish will tell you what kind of day you are having, so pay attention to their activity.

Ultimately, the whole purpose of using a frog lure is that it provides a very realistic food source that is designed to fish through thick vegetation, heavy mat and pads. With that in mind, the best time for you to use a frog lure is when other types of lure are impossible to use. The old saying goes that most living things are hungriest in the morning. With all types of fishing, the morning and the evening are the best times for you to find hungry fish. That being said, if you have brilliant weather and the sun is shining then try and make sure that you look for heavy vegetation. This will create a shady spot where fish will go to stay cool, so try and make sure that you target this if possible.

Best Topwater Frog Lures

If you want to make sure that you are using the best topwater frog lures, then you can find some of the most popular choices amongst fishermen below.

Livetarget Hollow Body Frog

This lure is very effective as it replicates a real frog. You will also find that the frog has all of the right colors, so if you are fishing in dense vegetation with stubborn fish who just don’t want to bite then you won’t be disappointed when you fish by using this lure.

Spro Bronzeye Frog

This lure is the perfect style and the perfect size if you are fishing in heavy cover or if you are casting in open water. The lure itself is designed to cast long distances and it’s also able to land on its belly with nearly every cast. It’s got very enticing colors and if you want something to make your lure stand out without being too distracting then this is certainly a good option.

Strike King Lures

This lure is a bit smaller than the other lures but that makes it ideal if you are trying to catch smaller fish. It’s got natural colorings and with all quality lures, is able to land on its belly when cast. With a sealed nose and a free-floating rattle, it’s safe to say that you won’t be disappointed if you buy this lure for your tackle box.

Booyah Frog

There’s nothing like fishing the weeds and having a big violent bass eat your frog. This is made out of soft plastic and it’s just the right consistency so that you can ensure a good hook without snagging in the weeds. This frog has a belly that chines so walking the frog is very easy to do, even if you’re inexperienced.

Terminator Walking Frog

The Terminator walking frog is ideal for any water depth. It’s also ideal for a range of environments, including gravel, sand and even rock bottom. The silicone half-skirt and the black nickel hook make it the finest choice if you are going to be dealing with a huge range of conditions over various fishing locations.

All in all, frog fishing Is fun and if you utilize this guide, you’ll soon find that you can have the most success without breaking the bank.

  • Categories
  • Popular
FishRook
Logo