frogflogger

We once weighed in 28 1/2 lbs on frogs that were setting perfectly still - they were sucked under with hardly a blip. We had to watch closely - we were using furbits which have rabbit skin legs.

Nervous water - cast to it - simple as that

senkos and speed worms - ned rigs - topwaters, frogs - all these will catch lots of fish where you are, try sticking with a plastic worm or senko and slowing down or throw a topwater and cover water. Best deal is hire a guide for a 1/2 day out at Holiday Park and get some ideas. You live in the middle of some of the best bass fishing in the states.

I've always called nonsuspending minnow type baits slash baits - they pop back up when you jerk down.

The culvert, the dam (if riprapped particularly), any nooks or drains - wherever you try do not exclude a t-rigged or shaky head worm. Years and years ago it was proven that a plastic worm works at ice out for bank anglers. We use to throw jig and pork in cold water and plastics in warm then a friend showed us all that a plastic worm works anytime there is open water.

Been tying them for 60+ yrs. Use all sizes and catch most anything that swims in fresh or salt water. Glad to see them getting some respect. They move in and out of popularity through the years but their effectiveness never ceases.

As my old mentor told me "If it has a hook it can catch fish."

And of course did the temperature change?

Big yes on this bait - first day on the big O 7+ lbs - it comes through stuff wonderfully and can be manipulated for all kinds of action - that and frogs and toads are made to order for your situation.

zoom speed worm buzzed on surface is a great bait to fish from shore and is weedless.

I would put a big topwater into the mix - spook, buzzer, chugger/popper - you have some monster bass there and big bass love big topwaters.

Lived on a boat in so. fla on a canal off the new river and caught a fish every day for 4 yrs on a topwater bait - usually a popper or chugger - they were jack crevalle - usually only took a few casts and I'm sure I missed a day or two but very few. It was great fun and good prep for when I started fishing the glades full time for bass.

When I lived in the midwest farm ponds were the ticket to bass over 5lbs. Take a day and drive around and visit with folks. Be straight forward and honest - I would send a Christmas card to folks who let me fish.

Rip them across the surface - a gurgling buzz bait - deadly!

I fished frogs almost exclusively for five years in the glades and had good hook up success. Once I quit using too stiff of a rod. I use an old daiwa l&t frog rod that has flex and power. I keep the rod tip low and don't count, after a bit of experience you know when they have the frog and it is usually sooner than you think. I keep grinding at the hookset and don't let up. I never have seen the need to bend hooks up but many claim it helps. I always use a sideways hookset keeping the rod tip low. It took a while to figure this out but my partner and I had many days of rarely missing a strike. I still fish frogs up here in the hills where I miss more spotted bass strikes than I care to admit but I'll just call them small.

Ahh you fellows with internet fast enough to watch this stuff are lucky - out here in the sticks if it's not in print I don't get to enjoy. Actually on rainy days like today I barely get print.

It is imposing but if you get bit stay in the area - take your time - I get a 7+ most every year - I throw topwaters and swimbaits - last trip the sebile soft swimmer was very good for me.

Yep - I've some Delongs 18" that 14" bass will eat.

11" Case plastics big momma is another good one - I mostly use straight tail worms.

With hair jigs I have caught every thing from the 3 bass to most other fresh water fish - countless species of saltwater fish - Only one lure - jig no brainer - they've been around for thousands of years in one form or the other.

I've used an 8' ul spinning rod 4-6# line with 1/32 oz jighead with a small 4" worm to fish for spooky bass suspended over deep clear water. Very effective if rarely needed rig. The slow slow fall and the ability to make a long cast worked when nothing else seem to entice them.

My old mentor said "You'll find bass where they want to be"

Read about them for years - would love to catch one but the aren't a black bass.

Lots of good suggestions, but if the water temps are in the 50's or above I would be throwing a top water into the mix.

We fish float n fly when water temps are below 50 - #6 hook will land any bass if you fight it politely - been throwing little hair jigs on small hooks for bass for over 50 yrs. Never felt a small hook was a detriment unless trying to winch out of cover. Caught several sm up to 3lbs+ last week and all were stuck in the upper lip with the little hook of a 1/16 oz hair jig.