I finally decided to start fishing with plastic frogs around dusk, and the first time I tried it I had three really nice strikes but I went 0 for 3 on hook sets. Is there a trick that I'm missing because I'm a newbie? I tried both a snapping hook set and more of a sweeping set but neither worked. Any advice?

Use 50-65lb braid with a MH or H rod

if you get hit on a frog, wait like 2 seconds then set the hook. let the fish get it in his mouth all the way.

It's all about the timing. You can't be overly excited about it or you'll lose them just about every time. I treat it like when I get a hit on a plastic worm. You feel the strike, reel down and hammer it home. Another way would be to wait until the water settles after they blow up on it...almost as if you're looking to make sure the frog isn't still there before you set the hook.

I disagree with the notion that 50-65# line is needed. I've been using 15# braid for years and have successfully set the hook plenty of times. I assume you're talking about the solid plastic buzzers, such as Horny Toads and Ribbits. In addition to using the proper technique (which I can't discipline myself to do) I can't stress enough the importance of hook size. My guideline is that the hook gap needs to be at least double the diameter of the lure so as to allow the hook enough room to get through the plastic and into the fish.

i use braid this year also but only the 15 lb and a stiffer rod than last year. i was lissing many hits last year fishing with plastic weed free mice and frogs.

Last year i missed sooooooo many with mono line. The toughest part is waiting that second or 2 before setting the hook.

See I've been using monofilament with the frogs so far. There just isn't the amount of weed growth to necessitate using heavy braid. But do you guys think braid is better line for fishing with frogs? I have rods set up with braided line but they are primarily used for worms, lizards, and craws.

i use 12lb mono with frogs just fine. i also disagree with the notion of waiting 2-3 seconds before setting the hook. chances are by the time you thought to count to 3, 2 of those seconds have past. soon as the frog dissappears off the top im setting the hook immediately and hard...

This can be rather difficult some days but, I try to wait until either I feel the fish or I see the line moving. If neither happens the fish missed it and I am still in the zone of that fish and maybe I can entice another strike. I like to fish with a line that I can see. I prefer to use heavy mono.

I wouldnt use mono because of the stretch but I use 30lb braid with zero issues. I havent met a weed that could not be tamed with 30lb braid.

When you hook set, pop the rod UP quickly, not to the side. The hooks are on top of the frog and this will give better hook sets. Wait until the frog is underwater for now but eventually you will know when the fish has really got it vs just whacked it.

excellent info guys Thank You. I think a lot of it is just what i am comfortable with. the 15lb braid is thin and casts well but no stretch. I used 10 lb mono last year and felt the stretch was not getting a hook to dig in. heavy mono i assume will stretch less than thin mono, but i still like the 15 braid in green color. lots and lots of weeds are green. I dont count 1-2- i just give it that quick second to let the fish atleast get it in the mouth. Its takes practice and at the biginning of the year i just kept pulling it right out from him and missing the set. I also agree if you miss the set let it sit right there. sometimes they will just come right back and wack it even harder

If you are useing hard body frog's like the spro try opening the hooks a little.

Really helped me.

Mike

When I'm using soft plastic frogs(horny toads) I don't worry about using braid because I don't fish it in as thick of cover and I don't set the hook as hard as I do with a hollow body or wait to set it. When using a hollow body I give it a second til the fish takes it under and I feel pressure then I slam it back as hard as I possibly can, and I always use 65lb braid on a heavy rod for hollow frogs.

I use a 7-6 heavy rod 65 lb yellow pp and a revo s drag maxed. When I get a strike as soon as I see the line pulling I swing as hard as I can straight up and I get about 60-70% on average

I fish frogs all the time with snakeheads and bass in FL. I only throw them in and around cover so i use 40lb PP braid. i only use 40lb because i'm on shore and need distance. 7' MH rod and am going to upgrade to a H very soon. I also keep the drag locked down to horse out whatever i dig my hook into.

Matt

Use 50-65lb braid with a MH or H rod

x2

I'll also mention it takes a bit of feel to get the hookset timing right.

I used to count to "2" or "3"....I still tell friends who don't fish often to do that

But now I have the control to ignore the big splash that gets your adrenalin pumping, wait for the rod to load (meaning you got to have some line control) then you know she's got it and slam the hook.