I've been fishing a large pond via kayak with thick large lily pads most of which stand above the water as much as 3 or 4 inches. This can make working a frog through them tedious at times. Is there an easier/more effective technique to cover water in these pads? Soft plastic frog?

Rage Toad...no issues.

If a floating frog is difficult to use, a Rage Toad will be even harder. Stick with a floating bait that is weedless.

try punching through the pads with some thick braid and whatever plastic you want on a heavy worm weight. Topwater isn't the only option!

Weedless?

Mepps Timber Doodle silver blade, white grub 4" it's a thick steel spoon that flutters down with the 4" split double tail grub dancing as it wobbles down. I have no clue as to what the bass think it is but it works. I would use the "1" size.

Cast it out and let it fall

try punching through the pads with some thick braid and whatever plastic you want on a heavy worm weight. Topwater isn't the only option!

Oh I punch. But to cover water for active bass, punching isn't as effective, especially when most of the cover is homogeneous.

If its really thick pads I would not throw the HB or soft frog for that matter. Frogs can be weedless but they are not bullet proof. If I had to throw in the really thick pads I would search for pockets, or work the outer fringes of heavy pad field. From a kayak you are at a hook setting disadvantage and pulling out a big bass from the middle of a thick pad field may be quite challenging.