Bass anglers tend to limit themselves to soft plastics when agitating bedding bass. Topwater lures like hollow-body frogs can can produce excellent results. Professional bass angler Kelly Jordon guides us through the essential techniques and equipment needed for successful spring frog fishing and tips for locating the best spots for finding big bass.
Jordon’s tips for frog fishing bedding bass:
- Overcast conditions and sight fishing: Overcast conditions may not be ideal for sight fishing, but they improve the frog bite. Sunny conditions can help anglers spot fish and predict their locations, but cloudy conditions cause bass to roam more, making them easier to catch when casting around.
- Choosing the right frog: There are two main types of hollow-body frogs: the walking frog and the popping frog. The walking frog is more subtle, while the popping frog generates more noise. Both lures can walk the dog effectively, but the subtle walking frog is often more successful when targeting spawning bass, especially pressured fish.
- Covering water with a frog. Make long casts, move quickly, and pause when you see a small opening or hole. Frogs are more versatile than people often think and can cover water quickly and effectively.
- Fishing in different environments. Bass spawn in various environments, such as reed and cane lines and around matted vegetation. Jordon is always looking for holes in the cover where bass might be hiding and targets these areas with his frog. Be patient and fish methodically, working the frog through different sections and allowing bass to find and bite the lure.
- Equipment for frog fishing. It’s crucial to have the right equipment for frog fishing in heavy cover. A good frog rod provides a strong backbone and a soft tip to work the bait effectively. A high-speed reel helps to retrieve the lure quickly, making more casts in less time. Finally, Jordon uses a 50-pound straight braid for frog fishing – it has the strength to handle pulling bass out of heavy cover without negatively impacting bait action.
Frog fishing during the spawn can be an exciting and rewarding experience. You can significantly improve your catch rate by understanding the impact of weather conditions, selecting the right frog, and using the proper equipment and techniques.
TACKLE USED (retail links)
- FROG – SPRO Dean Rojas Bronzeye 65, color – Midnight Walker Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Duckett Pro Series Casting Rod, 7′ Medium and Medium Heavy Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Duckett Paradigm Casting Reel Buy at Tackle Warehouse
