I just picked up a bag of zoom toads and tried them out today in a swimming pool. I couldnt get the things to work one bit. > The "legs" wouldnt swim at all, and 9 out of 10 times the thing would land upside down. I was using a 3/0 wide gap worm hook. Any tips to get it to work correctly?

Heh, never had too much success with the Horny Toad. Buy a pack of Stanley Ribbits, I guarantee you'll like em.

3/0 is too small, IMO.  The hook has to act as the keel to right the toad.  Try a 5/0 hook and that problem will be solved.  

I started out using a Gamakatsu 5/0 EWG worm hook.  It worked reasonably well and hook-ups were decent.

I've tried the Zoom hook specially made for the Horny Toad and they work well.

I've since started using a Matzuo 5/0 long shank worm hook.  I T-rig the toad but bring the point up behind the main body between the legs and stick the point in the back.  The hook is securely rigged and my hook-ups are great.  This is, by far, my favorite hook to use with these toads.

Zooms are great baits.  IMO, they're the weedless-est toads available and working them through and over pads is deadly.

i use zooms hook made for it and others like it and love the plastics.  They have showed me great success. just yesterday i caught four on them ranging from 1 to 3.8 lbs. i love them! i have noticed that they have to be reeled in at a fairly quick speed to keep the legs kicking or they tend to stop. try retrieving it a little faster.

This link may be of some use to you.  

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1179334367/3#3

i use a gama 5/0 ewg and i put a little bend in my frog so that the nose rides up a little. i love swimming a horny toad. imo i think they are the best soft frog on the market, with the cane toad a close second.

ok thanks guys.

The bend in the frog is key for me.  Just imagine a V bottom boat.  The bend in the frog keeps the nose up and swimming on it's belly.

B