What's a good frog-imitating surface lure?

[RoadToad]

This year I've had a blast fishing for bass from the banks of small ponds. One thing I still need to learn, though, is how to fish a frog-type lure on the surface, and which are good ones to use. I've purchased some Bitsy jigs and Uncle Josh pigs for jig 'n' pig fishing, but I'm thinking that this is probably best for a few inches, down to a few feet deep. So what types of imitation frogs do you guys like, and what techniques do you use? Thanks in advance for any help.

[Toadman]

The Zoom Horney Toad and Gambler Cane Toad are both good especially across open water. I like the Zoom when the water is calm and if there is a chop I switch to the Cane Toad. The Cane Toad makes more noise. Both of these are good across lightly matted grass and when you get to the edge you can kill it and they will sink slowly. Sometimes you will get bit doing this. Then you can crank it across open water like a soft plastic buzzbait. If the grass is heavily matted I switch to a Spro frog. You can work this over open water also but it float so you can move it slower and walk the dog with it. Hope you catch some on what ever one you try!!

[MrSplitshot]

There are several good options.

I've been fishing the Zoom Horny Toad or the Gambler Cane Toad, which are both a soft plastic frog that you rig weedless on a worm hook, no weight. (I use a 4/0 Extra Wide Gap Gamakatsu.) I generally use a black color, or a black with chartreuse tips. This thing is majorly weedless, so throw it as far back in the crap as you can. You can work it out over the moss, fish it fast like a buzzbait and let the legs kick, or let it die around structure and it will sink. I've caught fish on all three methods. Use heavy line and try to put a big hook set on a fish once you feel the weight. It's real easy fishing the frog to get excited because of the major way they attack it and set a little early. Patience is a virtue, but it's hard...a bass hits a frog like nothing else you'll fish.

The Spro Bronzeye Frog is nice for one that already has hooks built in. I generally fish the Zoom stuff, so I don't have as much experience with the newer frog baits. I remember fishing the old Strike King Grass Frog and Grass Frog Jr. in ponds when I was a kid and having some fun times.

[mastin03]

Let me just start by saying....FROG FISHIN IS AWESOME!!!!

Sorry, had to get that out of the way. Anyway, for frogs, I really like the YUM Buzzfrogs, and also the RIBBIT frogs. They have a big fat paddle tail on them, which makes more noise than the others that I have tried, which has meant more fish for me when I fish these opposed to the Zoom brand frogs.

None of these plastic frogs hold up really well, so I found that a dab of superglue right behind the eye of the hook helps these baits not to tear so much. Anyway.....I like the YUM and the Ribbits...JMHO

[SuperSprint007]

If you want to try something different try the Furbit. it has rabbit fur for legs and a colorado blade under its belly. Only fished it a few times but caught something each time, not many locations around here to throw it but when you can find some lily pads it is a blast.

[DJD]

I agree with the Zoom Horny Toad. I like white since it's easier for me to see but will also use the watermelon candy as well if i'm buzzing it in open water around pads or weeds. The Spro frog is great for matted and open water. That thing can walk the dog (extend one leg band longer than the other) or pop like crazy as you twitch it fast. It's fantastic in my book!

[MsgMills]

I like the old standard ( RAT ) for fishing across grass mats or a Tube Jig with a small rolled up ear plug stuffed inside it to keep it up on top of the water and slides across the grass mats rather easily as well........ Just remember to make yourself wait at least (2 / Two) seconds before setting the hook on the lure when the fish hits. Or you can set the hook when you actually feel the fish on the other end of the line and feel him....If you don't pause and wait like I said, you'll miss a lot of fish..... Great thing about missing the fish, they will still hit again, soon again....so don't give up on a fish if you miss him...give him a few minutes and then try again.....

[Bobby Headrick]

Yes I agree with above that frog fishing is awesome, almost better than a buzzbait attack. I have used the Zoom with a lot a success, but I am now using a new frog from a new lure co, called GITEM Baits, called the TOAD, it has a different shape to it than the other plastic frog bait's, as it has a v groove in the bottom that makes it ride upright better, also the way they have this bait designed, you can rig it up with a 5/0 or 6/0 wide gap, and leave it exposed bettween the legs. This bait has already produced a top 20 BFL finish. If you need more info about these baits contact me at [email protected]. One thing I have found out with all these type of frogs is that they do roll over at times but there are ways to avoid this you just have to experiment with retrives. And the old Snag Proof frog that I used as a kid stiil produces.

[RoadToad]

All I could find locally was a Snag Proof and some of the Yum Buzzfrogs (bullfrog color), at Meijer. Those'll be enough to get me started. I'll be heading to BPS soon, though, to pick up some of other ones suggested. Thanks for the great replies!

[Toadman]

Yes I agree with above that frog fishing is awesome, almost better than a buzzbait attack. I have used the Zoom with a lot a success, but I am now using a new frog from a new lure co, called GITEM Baits, called the TOAD, it has a different shape to it than the other plastic frog bait's, as it has a v groove in the bottom that makes it ride upright better, also the way they have this bait designed, you can rig it up with a 5/0 or 6/0 wide gap, and leave it exposed bettween the legs. This bait has already produced a top 20 BFL finish. If you need more info about these baits contact me at [email protected]. One thing I have found out with all these type of frogs is that they do roll over at times but there are ways to avoid this you just have to experiment with retrives. And the old Snag Proof frog that I used as a kid stiil produces.

I was wondering what division you fish in the BFL? I fish both the LBL and Mountain divisions and did not see your name listed. Do you fish out of state? I looked under the angler profiles and could'nt find you. I alway like to see how the top guys were fishing to see if I could learn from my mistakes. Because I have had a brutal year this year. Been catching them, just not enough of them.

[Bobby Headrick]

Sorry there is a misunderstanding, the finish was by one of Gitems pro team, I do not fish the BFL I fish the KBFN and will be trying some BASS opens soon. These baits are hot in Fla, I am trying them out up here in Ky, and these baits do catch fish.

[Toadman]

Sorry there is a misunderstanding, the finish was by one of Gitems pro team, I do not fish the BFL I fish the KBFN and will be trying some BASS opens soon. These baits are hot in Fla, I am trying them out up here in Ky, and these baits do catch fish.

Cool. Were do you get yours? I would like to try some out and see if I like them. I like the idea of the keel shaped bottom. Do they have a web site?