rbrick

I'm new to tackle making but would love any advise on making floating frogs and rats. Rick Wells Tallahassee

Have you tried Manns Phat Rat?They claim to have a 87% better hookup ratio.I don't know about that but they're the best I've used. Rick Wells Tallahassee

I took the hook from Hannon's snake kit and tried it on a toad.Best hook I've used.It is an ewg off set hook with a barb between the eye and the offset which keeps the head from sliding down or balling up(hard to believe nobody came up with this idea before).I now use the 4/0 for 85% of my T-rigs.It is very difficult to find in fact this is the only site I could find it on: http://www.backwatersonline.com/category.cfm?Category=1825&CFID=854509&CFTOKEN=9532 Rick Wells Tallahassee

Great time for a frog.After the sun hits the water I go to a toad subsurface.

Have you tried fishing at night?

Don't know about the bass,but I can't keep my Redbone hound away from my Megastrike and Frog Hog attractants.

Hannon's snakes.However the hooks in the kit are great for Stanley Ribbits. Rick Tallahassee

The Mann's phat rats have a great hookup ratio because they use a treble hook.They claim a 87%better hookup rate.I don't know about that but I know it's a lot better than any other frog I've ever used. Rick Tallahassee

When I T-rig a tube I use a normal worm hook.After hooking it through the nose I drop split shot into the back of the tube (as many as needed).Continue T-rig as normal.

Could also be jackfish (chain pickerel).

Is the forumula for megastrike the same as the GY megastrike?If not why not?

Another reason I like the sweep hookset is when you twist your body to the side your rod can travel farther than if you hookset mid chest.

I have been experimenting with a lot of different hooksets with the frog.This is the best I have found so far. 1)When a bass explodes on the frog look for it on the surface,if the bass has missed it,let it sit.The bass will probably make a second pass at it. 2)If the bass has taken the frog,find where the line enters the water and determine which way the bass is swimming. 3)Use a sweep set to the opposite side the bass is swimming. If you use this method you will not set the hook to early.I also use a lubricant (megastrike,frog hog,etc)so when the hook is set,the frog moves easier in the basses mouth and you will get a better hookup.I land about 85% using this method,not counting misses. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Since I posted this I have added one more step.If the bass is swimming to the left put your right hand above the reel your left hand below the reel and pull with your right hand and push with your left.This produces a two handed swing which is very powerful and will get the bass headed toward the boat.If the bass is heading to the right you must reverse the hand positions.Spent the weekend working with this and it works really well.However it does take some practice.

I have been experimenting with a lot of different hooksets with the frog.This is the best I have found so far. 1)When a bass explodes on the frog look for it on the surface,if the bass has missed it,let it sit.The bass will probably make a second pass at it. 2)If the bass has taken the frog,find where the line enters the water and determine which way the bass is swimming. 3)Use a sweep set to the opposite side the bass is swimming. If you use this method you will not set the hook to early.I also use a lubricant (megastrike,frog hog,etc)so when the hook is set,the frog moves easier in the basses mouth and you will get a better hookup.I land about 85% using this method,not counting misses.

Toads and frogs!

I normally fish it weightless with one of those hooks with the little corkscrew on them.Zoom makes a weighted version of this hook if I'm crawling the bottom.I prefer the Gambler Cane Toad with the Ribbit a close second.

I mostly fish the slop,so the Gambler Cane Toad and frogs are what I fish most.

ROLO, Great point about water temp.I live in fl so I wouldn't know about that!

I know a lot of people will say worms,spinnerbaits,jigs,etc.However i want to pitch a relative newcomer- the toad.The toad was designed as a top water bait that can be thrown in the heaviest cover without hanging up.Used this way it is a great lure and some of the explosions are heart stopping.I know many people say the hook-up ratio is poor however using the corkscrew hook that comes with the horny toad and ribbit I find the ratio to be about the same as any other top water lure. I feel the toad really shines as a subsurface lure.Thats right I think it is a better lure under the surface than it is on top (although its not as fun).Fishing the toad 1.5' to 2' under the water is a great way to catch bass.And finally SLOW CRAWLING the bait on the bottom may be the best way of all to fish this lure. Finally this weekend I found out that this is a bait made for skipping.Its flat top and bottom make it really easy to skip.I caught a 6+ lb bass using this method.Another thing is it catches larger than average bass.

I learned this from a very early Jimmy Houston TV show.If your getting skunked tie on a roadrunner jig and troll this through likely looking bass spots.When you catch anything (bass,bluegill crappie etc) stop and fish that spot.That is a great way to locate fish if you don't have electronics.

I use Frog Hog it comes in a container like chap stick.No chance of getting it on yourself or your boat.

I did a search for them and didn't come up with anything.Has anyone tried them?Any stories? Thanks, Rick

It is time for me to buy a new spinning reel.I would appreciate any suggestions for a reel under $50.

Try crawling them very slowly over the bottom.I've caught some really nice bass using that method.

This weekend I will be fishing a lake with a lot of docks.I rarely fish these kinds of lakes,I mostly fish the small lakes in the National Forest which have no docks.I have no skipping skills and would appreciate any advice on technique and presentation.Also would like to know what you feel is the easiest bait to skip. Thanks, Rick