Matt Duprau

I'm running an Okuma TCS 7,3 H Frog/Swimbait rod. My rod is up to the task. Been doing this for a long time, and with season only opening at the start of summer here in Ontario, my froggin' set up always gets a workout all season long. Tatula is 3 years old. Worked flawlessly up until the tournament where the gears stripped. I usually horse fish out using mostly my rod but I imagine I put quite the torque on the reel, having the tournament on the line and getting it in the boat. (Lost the fish, finished 3rd). I think I may drop down to a 6.6.1 and give it a shot.

Appreciate the recommendations! I own the Revo Winch. Almost all of those reels are low gear ratio, like 5.4.1, is that not too slow? I guess it's a double edged sword, you want high gear ratio to get them to the boat fast but then you want a low gear ratio with more power and drag. Tough call!!

Hello fellow anglers, I have a question that has been driving me crazy for the past while. For years, I have stressed the importance of fishing a high speed gear ratio 7.3.1+, as many others know, However, last year I hd a giant bass blow up on my frog and while setting the hook and grinding it back to the back, I absolutely destroyed and stripped the gears in my Daiwa Tatula reel. Ever since, i've been super "gun shy" about throwing my expensive high speed gear ratio reels on my froggin' set up. So my question to all you fellow anglers, WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should I go back to a 7.3.1 gear ratio reel or drop down to a 6.6.1 for more power? I have a Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C4 5500 that I was planning on using but it's just way too heavy. Would love to hear some opinions on this!! Thanks all Matt

Looking for opinions on the length, power and action of a good all around crank bait rod (Squarebills - Deep Divers). Thanks!

Hey guys, I've been using a blood knot for quite sometime for tying on a fluoro leader to my braid main line. Is there an easier/stronger knot that would be a better choice? I have yet to break off a fish, but, it's a pain to tie on the boat. Any suggestions welcome!

It's dropping off fast with cool nights and cold rain showers! Hoping to get out this weekend and possibly one morning next week. All depends if I won't be in the fields shooting geese. Missing the water though, good luck everyone going out this weekend!

I was out on the Bay Of Quinte in Southern Ontario last week. Surface temp was high 60's in the morning and peaking at 70-72 in the afternoon. Fish were biting great! Nothing huge but once I got onto schools of shad, the bass were there. Burning and stopping a Spro Square Bill was the most productive. Looking forward to getting back out. Going to do some early morning walking baits as the shad were breaking the surface. Most moving baits will work well this time of year, i.e Spinnerbaits, Square bills, lipless cranks, chatterbaits, etc. Good luck! Matt

Yes sir, live in Kingston, Ontario. Primarily fish Lake Ontario & the Bay of Quinte. Amazing fisheries. Thanks for the tips! Will do

What is the water temperature like in your area? Up here in Southern Ontario i've been finding bass already on the mouth of coves, shallow points with grass, creeks and bays. Surface temperature is reading 68F in the morning and rising to 71-72 in the afternoon. Throwing square bills, spinnerbaits, walking baits & chatterbaits as been the ticket. Any specific locations or structures I should target to catch bigger/more bass? They've been schooled up. Catching *** bass in little spurts. Would love to hear about the patterns of bass in your area! Let me know Matt Duprau

What is your absolute true confidence bait that you have tied on at all times in the fall?

Hey guys, Quick question for you everyone who uses braid. I've been using braid all my life (on certain set ups), I mainly use power pro! It's great, has never let me down BUT I find it frays and fades way too quick and I find myself changing out line a lot. So im looking for opinions, does anyone know of a brand that is great on maintaining line colour as well as having a great quality line? I've heard Stren is great for longer lasting line colour... Give me some opinions! Thanks, Matt Duprau

Took the words out of my mouth, literally! This is your best option.

Agreed with the frog as the first choice! If they won't come up to you then time for you to go down to them. Next i'd be throwing on a punching setup and dropping all around that log. Good luck

Would you fish this in open water above cover or in the shallows like on Lilly Pads, etc?

You're quite the piece of work. It was an opinion based question, there's no right or wrong answer. Always curious to hear different inputs from different anglers. Some guys prefer to throw a frog a certain time of day and others all the time, it's whatever works for you and helps you put as much fish in the boat as possible. I'm always on here asking different peoples opinions, but I don't need a smartass response from someone who thinks they're better than everyone else. Im not a new angler, im new to this site.

Whats your ideal time to throw a frog, both time of day and conditions?

Always has been a topic on my mind on the water that in what different conditions and fishing structure should you use different types of soft plastic baits? Example, fishing a senko vs a creature bait? Curious for some different opinions, thanks!

Great suggestions. A few frogs that I have yet to try out, time to invest in a few more! Personally in my arsenal I carry Spro Bronzeyes & Koppers Live Targets!

What hollow body frog is your #1 choice on the water?

"GOT HIM" every time.. Don't even realize it comes out of my mouth lol

Tough choice. Depends what factors you want to look at. I personally use the pit boss on swim jigs, chatterbaits and a light weight texas rig. Incredible movement and action from the bait. On the other end, I use the sweet beaver on a lot of my punchin' jigs and heavy texas rigging. It's a nice beefy bait and cut down it works great on the back of a flippin pitchin jig. Easily punches through mats while still retaining some action in the tail. Price is a big factor - the average joe may look at the pit boss (4$) - and the sweet beaver (9$) as a drawing point as well. Overall, if I had to choose one I'd choose the Pit Boss. Mostly personal preference and I find I can be more versatile with the bait. To each his own! Matt Duprau

Great suggestions guys. Appreciate all the replies! Many of these are already packed into one of my soft plastics binder. Was just curious on what people's "go to" bait has been! Love the Pit Boss rigged sideways suggestion, one of my favorite baits. Thanks all! Matt Duprau

Good Morning Everyone, Curious for opinions and suggestions regarding the best (your favourite) swim jig / chatterbait trailer. Matt Duprau

Rapala's line of Jerkbaits includes floating, sinking and suspending baits. Most Rapala floating jerkbaits come with a #6 treble hook. Highly recommend changing them out (use a split ring tool for a much easier time), as your hookup ratio will greatly increase. As stated above you could change out the hooks to a greater size in order for the bait to suspend but you risk compromising the action of the bait when doing so. Rapala Shadow Raps are a great bait to look into. Matt Duprau