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Summer 2021
page 64
NOTE: The frog will move farther away from the cover in this setup.
If I am looking to keep my bait closer to the cover, I will tie my line direct to the eye of the popping frog or spitting frog. This will give the bait a more direct line connection and will cause the bait to walk side to side, keeping the bait closer to the strike zone longer.
NOTE: The frog will not have as loud of a popping noise as the face is sitting higher above the water.
EVEN MORE WEIGHT
Some frog fishermen are good proponents of adding weight to their frogs. This tweak could be done for different reasons.
First and foremost, would be casting distance. Some fishermen add BBs to their frogs to increase casting distances, in order to reach areas other anglers cannot without doctoring their frogs.
Another reason to add weight is when targeting areas covered with duck weeds. Adding weight will make the frog more visible to the bass below the vegetation. A weighted frog will sit lower in the water creating a better target for the bass to find and strike.
Sound will also play into this adjustment. By adding BBs to the frog, it will add sound to the mix, making it easier for the bass to be able to find the bait through the cover.
EQUIPMENT NOTES
Anglers have personal likes and dislikes when it comes to equipment choices, but here is some info to set a starting point.
EDGES AND OUTSIDE
If I am fishing on the edge of cover or targeting cover outside of pad areas, I will choose to use a Denali Attax (AC723F), a 7’2” HM baitcasting rod.
If I am fishing deep in the pads or cover, I pick a shorter rod that gives me better casting control to hit specific targets. I choose to go to a 7’4” or 7’6” Denali Attax rod setup, specifically a 7’4” (AC744MTM) or 7’6” (AC765F).
I move up to the longer rod once inside
the pads and heavier weeds because it
allows me to get bass up and out of cover
quicker and picks up slack line faster on the
hook set.
RETRIEVE VARIABLES
I am not a fan of a super-fast reel speed when it comes to frog fishing. So, for either situation above, I use a Lew’s BB-1 Pro Series baitcaster reel with a gear ratio of 6:4-1.
I spool Sunline XPlasma Asegai braid 30-pound-test for edges and outside of cover.
In the vegetation, I beef up to Sunline FX-2 braid 50-pound-test. I have never had a line failure with 50-pound, and I like the thinner line diameter for cutting through the pads and weeds. If you feel that you need a heavier line choice, make that adjustment.
The above tweaks are an easy way to get an edge on your frog fishing, making your frog stand out from others that are fished day in and day out through your waters.
I hope they help set you apart and earn you more bites along the way, paying big dividends in the process. •