James RickardUsing frogs in the summer
May 16th 2011 00:05
It would be difficult to pinpoint how many different frog lures are on the market. It's safe safe to say most manufacturer have at least one in their catalog. No wonder. Frogs are on the menu for many predatory fish including bass, cat fish, walleye, and even pike or musky.
Some offerings have hooks installed and others leave the hooking up to the angler. There are both hollow and solid body lures and, it must be realized, some lures are better than others.
Personally, I look for a hollow body lure that will allow me to hook it as I see fit. Aside from my own preferences, I don’t think too many people are going to argue with me when I say I prefer something with a soft body which will make optimum use of the gap in the hook.
Any predatory fish can open its mouth astonishingly wide so, there’s not a lot of worry about getting a frog that’s too large. On the other hand, you DO have to keep in mind what the fish are expecting. For instance, early in the season the frogs have just developed. Consequently, you want a fairly small lure. As the season progresses, you can get away with a larger offering.
Most people think of “green” when they hear the word “frog.” However, various colors are on the market including various shades or green, browns, of even shades of gray. It’s always a safe bet to have some a muddy green or olive color in your tackle box. Your best bet is to plan ahead, scout the area you intend to fish and maybe even ask someone.
It’s probably a waste of time to cast a frog straight out and retrieve it. An optimum situation for a frog is a gathering of lily pads and fairly still water. In situations like this, you may even get to use your flipping and pitching. Failing at that, make a short cast and bring it back slowly right through the lily pads and pray you don’t get hung up. Another tactic you can try is to hop your frog from pad to pad and actually mimic a real frog.
Like all baits, a frog isn’t always going to work but, when it’s hot and you find yourself in a weedy or overgrown cove, you may just bring up a big brute lazing the day away waiting for an unsuspecting meal.
Remember to take the hooks outta yer pocket before ya sit down!
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