Northwest Fishing Reports

I missed three fish on frogs today. One came back and hit again but still missed that was the third miss. I saw the fish clearly and it was a pig. After the first fish missed I put in some rattles
Maybe I was fishing to quick? all hits came in 65 degree water in about 2 feet. Only one fish hit twice.

What type of frogs were ya using? I mostly use Spro, but recently got some River2Sea frogs.

Black spro

I think the hardest part is waiting that 2 seconds before setting the hook.

What lake?

I grew up fishing frogs, it's a blast. The biggest disadvantage with frog fishing is the hook up ratio, it can be 50% of the time. When they strike, I typically lower my rod tip down right away, this will give them the slack to inhale the frog, once you feel the fish set the hook. If it missed it, the frog is close by for a second shot. Try using a follow back lure where they exploded, I like a 7 " worm on a florida rig.

kzoo wrote:The biggest disadvantage with frog fishing is the hook up ratio, it can be 50% of the time. When they strike, I typically lower my rod tip down right away, this will give them the precious time to inhale the frog, or if it missed it the frog is close by for a second shot. Try using a follow back lure where they exploded, I like a 7 " worm on a florida rig.

I imediatly threw the frog back for nothing. Unfortunately there was no hookset, the all missed the frog but it seemed like they really wanted it.I had a senko rigged on a spinning rod with 12 pound mono but was fishing thick Lilly's and didn't want to put down the bc with braid. Is a jig a good follow up bait?

Trout lake Tom. My little honey hole lol.

Gringo Pescador wrote:I think the hardest part is waiting that 2 seconds before setting the hook.

I got that part down. Wait till you feel something for sure. Ugh to bad they missed especially the pig.

Jigs can be good follow up. Senkos can be too, but I found a simple worm rigged on a florida rig did best in the small holes in thick vegetation, especially the florida rigs with rattles. The very minimum lb test I'd use for this would 14lb mono on a bait caster, if there are true trophys in your lake you, probably need 17lb mono or braid.

Keep at it, as the water warms up, the frog fishing will get better, I remember frog fishing in 100 degree summer days in the middle of days.

It'll drive ya nut's, the hook up ratio. Like most, just keep at it. I'm with you Anthony on the follow up bait. Most of my frog fish is in such scum and lilly's it's tuff to have an effective follow up. At least for me. I can't think of to many things more exciting than seeing that V coming across the surface to attach that frog. I do believe my hook up ratio has improved since I've upgraded my gear, like my 7'2 Lami Frog Rod. Good Times

I think the key is to have the longer and stiffer rod. Then to wait until you feel the weight of the fish as in any topwater fishing.

Then the longer rod will pick up more line and result in a better penetration of the bigger hooks in the frogs.

Then the bass can still get off just to be able to thumb their noses at you. LOL

When I fish frogs or buzzbaits I get mabey a 50% hookup ratio. Most fish will acually miss the bait, for me the thrill and surprise of the explosive strike is as good as hooking the bass. Boy I love that explosive strike when your closely watching and realing, what a rush!!!

[quote="spindog"]When I fish frogs or buzzbaits I get mabey a 50% hookup ratio. Most fish will acually miss the bait quote]

Thats why waiting to feel the fish before setting the hook is important. If they miss the frog I'll leave it out there, becuase usually they come back for another try....:bounce:,

My "follow up bait" is usually a senko....

I don't know about a jig as a follow up lure?:^o

tnj8222 wrote:

kzoo wrote:The biggest disadvantage with frog fishing is the hook up ratio, it can be 50% of the time. When they strike, I typically lower my rod tip down right away, this will give them the precious time to inhale the frog, or if it missed it the frog is close by for a second shot. Try using a follow back lure where they exploded, I like a 7 " worm on a florida rig.

I imediatly threw the frog back for nothing. Unfortunately there was no hookset, the all missed the frog but it seemed like they really wanted it.I had a senko rigged on a spinning rod with 12 pound mono but was fishing thick Lilly's and didn't want to put down the bc with braid. Is a jig a good follow up bait?

Trout lake Tom. My little honey hole lol.

I say throw the senko out there and worry about how to get it out of there after you hook it. Worst case it breaks you off and you have another sentence or 2 to describe the one that got away. Most of the time the bass will just bury down in the bottom junk anyways and you can go get it instead of trying to horse it out.

Nik wrote:

tnj8222 wrote:

kzoo wrote:The biggest disadvantage with frog fishing is the hook up ratio, it can be 50% of the time. When they strike, I typically lower my rod tip down right away, this will give them the precious time to inhale the frog, or if it missed it the frog is close by for a second shot. Try using a follow back lure where they exploded, I like a 7 " worm on a florida rig.

I imediatly threw the frog back for nothing. Unfortunately there was no hookset, the all missed the frog but it seemed like they really wanted it.I had a senko rigged on a spinning rod with 12 pound mono but was fishing thick Lilly's and didn't want to put down the bc with braid. Is a jig a good follow up bait?

Trout lake Tom. My little honey hole lol.

I say throw the senko out there and worry about how to get it out of there after you hook it. Worst case it breaks you off and you have another sentence or 2 to describe the one that got away. Most of the time the bass will just bury down in the bottom junk anyways and you can go get it instead of trying to horse it out.

I gotta say I like that idea. I'd rather tangle with the one that got away than talk about how I had a chance encounter with her but never stepped up for the big dance. :rambo:

Frog can be awsome. Just like allot of topwater baits there are allot of misses! I use spro allot. But one frog I rely on is a Zoom Horny toad. I rarely miss fish with this bait. you might try it to increase your hook-up ratio. Here is some frog fish from the other day. If I can remember how to post a pic!

nice. I will give em a try. I got some buzz frogs Will have to get some toads.

There was an article in Bassmaster Magazine a few months back ( Feb. I think ) 0n frog fishing. It had a bunch of tips on using them. The one I remember, open up the hooks about 1/4 " it is supposed to increase your catch rate.