How To Know When To Throw Top Water Frogs?

[Joedodge 101]

So I bought some soft plastic and hollow body frogs. We have a lot of grass and lil pad beds in our lakes and ponds here in fl. How do you guys know when to use this tactic or when is it best to fish them and how do you choose too?

[gulfcaptain 1,325]

When the water temps are above 55 degrees they will work, but work better when the water temps hit the low 60's.  

 

https://youtu.be/Ese0oBt7Zx0

 

 

[HoosierHawgs 765]

I almost always have a frog tied on.. If you throw them on the correct gear they can be thrown anywhere... They can also imitate almost anything if you have a few different colors. 

 

 

[ColdSVT 578]

As soon as the weeds or pads touch the surface...or when the water gets into the upper 50s

[Joedodge 101]

Ahhhh ok awesome. I'm so excited.

[fisherrw 381]

When the water temps are above 55 degrees they will work, but work better when the water temps hit the low 60's.

x2

[Sam 4,585]

When the sun shines.

When it is cloudy.

When the water clarity is very clear.

When the water clarity is stained.

When the water clarity is dirty.

When the winds blow.

At all temperatures all year long.

When everything you throw fails.

When you see the bass feeding on top of the water.

When you don't see the bass feeding on top of the water.

In other words, throw that frog all the time under all conditions and see what happens.

[Felix77 1,274]

When the water temps are above 55 degrees they will work, but work better when the water temps hit the low 60's.  

x3

[Master Bait'r 2,624]

Some kind of topwater is almost always in the rotation. Frogs are #1 when there's heavy cover around though, for sure.

[Joedodge 101]

Man ok awesome I didn't know it was so versatile

[BassinLou 1,631]

So I bought some soft plastic and hollow body frogs. We have a lot of grass and lil pad beds in our lakes and ponds here in fl. How do you guys know when to use this tactic or when is it best to fish them and how do you choose too?

 

Joedodge, I don't know what the water temps in Clearwater are right now. But, I do know  here in South FL, the temps are in the high 60's. As far as when to throw the frog?(hollow body) I throw the frog all year long. Our conditions  here are completely different than other parts of the country, so some of the "traditional times" of when to throw certain baits does not apply imho and experience. If the cover is right. For ex;  moderate to dense vegetation and wood I will throw the frog. The areas you are describing in your neck of the woods are prime areas to give it a try. Vary your presentations and see what works. If you find a pattern stick to it. Also, do not be afraid to throw in the nastiest of cover. You will be surprised what lurkes in there.   As far as equipment, to be on the safe side, rods should not be less than MH, and at least 7ft and braid no less than 40lbs. Ideal outfits for heavy cover. Rods that are H and 7ft + and braid that's 50lbs. Reels: 6.4:1 will get the job done, but 7.1:1 will definitely help out. Throw a hawgtech handle in the mix and you got yourself a froggin outfit.  Good luck 

[zachb34 158]

Here in Florida you can throw them just about anytime. However, I wouldn't recommend the whole 55° water Temps situation. Our bass in florida basically have lock jaw at that temperature let alone willing to hit topwater on a regular basis. Our bass are very sensitive to cold water.

[DTack 137]

In Florida?  With the little I know about climate, I would probably be the dumb guy throwing it year round up shallow haha.

[Joedodge 101]

From what everyone's saying an what I've read I gonna try throwing them. What's the worst that will happen I'll get skunked lol

[hatrix 294]

It's always time. Some kind of top water is always a option usually. Even at times they won't break the surface cause it's so cold or whatever they might just suck down. When it's super cold like it is now up north I won't even bother unless it's like a slammer or something. That bait just work not matter the temp.

[Joedodge 101]

It's been 50s in the mornings and well into the seventies and sunny in the afternoon here fog on the water in the morning I can't wait to give it a try. I'm gonna try hollow body and soft plastics

[BassinLou 1,631]

From what everyone's saying an what I've read I gonna try throwing them. What's the worst that will happen I'll get skunked lol

 

Exactly!! Nothing ventured nothing gained. Goodluck. Here is a very important tip when frog fishing. Trust me, I have learned this the hard way. Always be ready!! Whenever the frog is in the water it's fair game. 

[Joedodge 101]

Ok I'll do that. I'll probably spend all day on the banks Sunday from early till evening so I'll try them out at a few ponds

[Fisher-O-men 604]

You should know fairly quickly.  Here in SoCal, the temps rarely dip below 55, but frogs are generally a no-go in winter.  We start seeing a frog bite post spawn, and later.  Don't commit to the point that you get skunked. 

 

Read Dean Rojas for versatility ideas.

[tstone 34]

I throw a toad at least a little while every time I fish. I'd start with the toad, if you don't get much switch to the hollow body and vary speed. I have had some days where I could pretty much dead stick a hollow body with a small twitch every once in a while to get em to eat.

[RoLo 4,297]

Like any lure, the hollow frog can be chucked all year long, but they're at their best in 'warm water'.

I normally begin frogging in the post-spawn (that's the best period) thru the summer into mid-fall.

 

Seasons aside, whenever you hear bass breaking water, it's time to pitch a frog 

 

Roger

[Joedodge 101]

Man thanks so much for the help everyone! This should be so awesome

[BassinLou 1,631]

Man thanks so much for the help everyone! This should be so awesome

 

Oh..... trust me it is. Once you experience a nice blow up, like if a small grenade went off right under your frog, you will be hooked for life. Everyone I have introduced to frog fishing will always tell me..... "remember the time when that bass blew up my frog" its music to my ears....

[Joedodge 101]

Lol I fished the pads at a local lake that is full of them. Fished about two hrs. Had two real good blow ups. One missed the frog I threw that spot again but no luck. The other I tried to set the hook to soon. I'm absolutely hooked. I'm fishing all day tomm and gonna try and hit that lake again late in the day and see if I have better luck

[Alpha Male 130]

So I bought some soft plastic and hollow body frogs. We have a lot of grass and lil pad beds in our lakes and ponds here in fl. How do you guys know when to use this tactic or when is it best to fish them and how do you choose too?

To answer your first question you must first ask yourself one other question...are you fishing? If the answer to that is yes, then the answer to your question is "now". If you were, let's say, at work then it might not be the right time to throw the frog.

In all honesty my point above is solid in that any time you are fishing shallower than say 10ft and you think there are bass around you should try the frog. I have a lot of both hollow ands oft body frogs and the decidi g factor is the cover. The heavy cover and usually shallower water gets the hollow body frog.