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.

Excellent info!  Thanks 8-)

Dan

I think your technique is applicable to all topwater lures. A rod with a soft tip allows the rod to load up before setting the hook.

That's the secret as far as I'm concerned.

Excellent info. Thanks! I was just getting ready to search this subject. I use a bronzeye and have been missing a lot of hooksets lately. Starting to get frustrating as I've missed a couple really good fish.

Thanks for the info, I will try to use a sweeping hookset in the opposite direction of where the bass is swimming with my spro bronzeye.

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.

Roadwarrior, you wrote,

I think your technique is applicable to all topwater lures. A rod with a soft tip allows the rod to load up before setting the hook.   That's the secret as far as I'm concerned.

What I'm wondering is how ANYONE gets a proper hookset with a soft tip rod.  I was just going to make a post about this actually.

I just got a soft tip rod, and have been fishing soft plastics with it.  Maybe that's my problem and I should never fish soft plastics with a soft tip rod, but I've lost a relative "bunch" of fish lately with it.  I can't seem to get a good hook set.  I feel like I need to act like a shark fisherman and use my whole body just to get my line to pull tight.  

Is it different when you fish with frogs?  Should I NEVER use a soft tip rod for anything but fishing with frogs?  As of this second, i HATE my soft tip rod and want to throw it in the garbage.  I watched a 4 pound bass fall off my line in mid air yesterday 'cause I didnt get a good hook set. Help!

todd

BRAID, BRAID, BRAID,

Amen to braid brother

Roadwarrior, you wrote,

I think your technique is applicable to all topwater lures. A rod with a soft tip allows the rod to load up before setting the hook.   That's the secret as far as I'm concerned.

What I'm wondering is how ANYONE gets a proper hookset with a soft tip rod.  I was just going to make a post about this actually.

I just got a soft tip rod, and have been fishing soft plastics with it.  Maybe that's my problem and I should never fish soft plastics with a soft tip rod, but I've lost a relative "bunch" of fish lately with it.  I can't seem to get a good hook set.  I feel like I need to act like a shark fisherman and use my whole body just to get my line to pull tight.  

Is it different when you fish with frogs?  Should I NEVER use a soft tip rod for anything but fishing with frogs?  As of this second, i HATE my soft tip rod and want to throw it in the garbage.  I watched a 4 pound bass fall off my line in mid air yesterday 'cause I didnt get a good hook set. Help!

todd

Well soft tip usually refers to the first 20% of the rods actual length. With a flexible "soft" tip the rod is able to cast allot easier/more precise of hitting small targets. It also allows some cushion to when a bigger fish is making a hard run close to the boat.

Now the remaining 80% of the rod should have a good stiff backbone to it. This will help drive home the hook, and allow you to move the fish out of heavy cover if necessary. You might want to try tightening your drag some, you could have it to loose and too much line is stripping off before you load up your rod. Another thing might be trying a line that has less stretch in it.

Hope this helps...