So I only hooked up with about 50% of fish yesterday using a variety of toads of about the same size on a 4/0 Owner screw-lock hook (unweighted). I was doing the recommended wait of about a second, reeling down and setting the hook. Sometimes the fish just missed it but several times I could feel some hook penetration but they came off. Using a Falcon HD Medium casting rod rated to 3/4 oz. Question: was my meh hookup ratio more likely the rod being a bit underpowered, or something about my technique? Seems like MH rods are usually recommended for toad fishing, but the M is what I had in the yak. 

Today gonna try an Owner Beast Hook 4/0 but not liking the huge gap when I just rigged a Rage Toad. 
 

Also will try my previous hook—Gamy 4/0 EWG superline—as soon as I restock. They worked a bit better than the Owner screw lock in terms of hookup but definitely slid down the hook more, which can be a PITA. 

I hate toads but there are times when the bass are in the grass  its the only thing they hit .  50 per cent is better than I get with the aggravating lures .

9 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I hate toads but there are times when the bass are in the grass  its the only thing they hit .  50 per cent is better than I get with the aggravating lures .

That’s exactly where they were: buried in grass in a lake I had never fished before and was much shallower—and very little fall grass die-off—than I had anticipated. I can tell you that M rod was also not doing me any favors trying to stroke a 1/2-oz jig through that stuff.

50% is probably near to what I run with toads.  A stiffer rod might help, especially in a kayak where it's harder to get a good swing on it.  But toads and frogs aren't good lures for high hookup percentages.  I generally avoid them except when I need something weedless.

1 hour ago, MontclairDave said:

So I only hooked up with about 50% of fish yesterday using a variety of toads of about the same size on a 4/0 Owner screw-lock hook (unweighted). I was doing the recommended wait of about a second, reeling down and setting the hook. Sometimes the fish just missed it but several times I could feel some hook penetration but they came off. Using a Falcon HD Medium casting rod rated to 3/4 oz. Question: was my meh hookup ratio more likely the rod being a bit underpowered, or something about my technique? Seems like MH rods are usually recommended for toad fishing, but the M is what I had in the yak. 

Today gonna try an Owner Beast Hook 4/0 but not liking the huge gap when I just rigged a Rage Toad. 
 

Also will try my previous hook—Gamy 4/0 EWG superline—as soon as I restock. They worked a bit better than the Owner screw lock in terms of hookup but definitely slid down the hook more, which can be a PITA. 

Hookups on toads AND frogs with the right equipment have always been poor compared to walking topwaters or poppers. If there is grass I usually try to throw a swimjig first because my hookup ratios with other baits are poor. I have also noticed bass could care less even if a lure has grass on it in thick grass. I have caught bass when my swimjig has lots of grass around it. Just not impressed with frogs and toad style lures 

Check out the recent btl, Scalish goes in depth on toad fishing...

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Bassjam2000 said:

Check out the recent btl, Scalish goes in depth on toad fishing...

 

 

 

Interesting. I like the idea of keeling the hook with lead wire. But I can’t tell what kind of hook he’s describing. He puts Owner screw lock pin on it, but says Zoom makes the hook?? Can’t find it on Zoom website or TW. 

Looks like it's discontinued, no sign of it anywhere on the interwebz. Owner twistlocks have worked well for me, they've got a 5/0 with 1/8 oz keel weight already on it, you could snip some lead off if too heavy.

On 10/16/2021 at 12:40 PM, Bassjam2000 said:

Looks like it's discontinued, no sign of it anywhere on the interwebz. Owner twistlocks have worked well for me, they've got a 5/0 with 1/8 oz keel weight already on it, you could snip some lead off if too heavy.

This one?

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Weighted_Twistlock_CPS_Hook_3pk/descpage-OTLW.html

 

Glen vid recommends this one: keel

weight is farther down the hook. I have a lot of these for swimbaits. Guess I gotta try em on toads:

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Weighted_Superline_Spring_Lock_Hook_4pk/descpage-GSSL.html

Yes that's the one I use, I'm sure the gammy would work too, just adjust weight to prevent rolling.

ZMan Billy Goat is the best 'toad" I've ever used. With the smaller profile they generally choke it. Solid hookup ratio.

1 minute ago, T-Billy said:

ZMan Billy Goat is the best 'toad" I've ever used. With the smaller profile they generally choke it. Solid hookup ratio.

What do you use for a hook on that?

7 minutes ago, Bassjam2000 said:

What do you use for a hook on that?

Grip pin EWG 4/0. It'll probably float a 5/0 too, but I haven't tried it. That is another plus. You can pause it and it'll stay on top.

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

ZMan Billy Goat is the best 'toad" I've ever used. With the smaller profile they generally choke it. Solid hookup ratio.

Which grip pin? There’s a few different types (light wire, heavy wire, etc) 

In sparse cover ill use a lighter wire keel weighted hook on a rage toad with a M power rod and I have a good hook up ratio.  The majority of the fish I miss are just grabbing at the legs.

6 hours ago, T-Billy said:

ZMan Billy Goat is the best 'toad" I've ever used. With the smaller profile they generally choke it. Solid hookup ratio.

Here I thought I was the only one using it as a "toad". You're right, the fact that you can pause it makes it even more deadly. I would like to see an even larger version...maybe a Papa Goat or something like that.  

3 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Here I thought I was the only one using it as a "toad". You're right, the fact that you can pause it makes it even more deadly. I would like to see an even larger version...maybe a Papa Goat or something like that.  

They're supposed to be coming out with a GOAT Toad. They have a video of the prototype on their website.

I had the same bite going on here in TN a few weeks ago.  The yak definitely plays against us on this one as you will pull yourself towards the fish when you stick em.  As for rods, MH action rod only when there is no H action available-and only on straight braid for toads for me please!  This might get you up slightly higher on the hookup ratio but the fish are going to miss it sometimes coming up through the cheese.   Most entertaining bite of the year!

Some times the fish like to inhale it and then spit it out.

One day I had bad hook up ratio on a spook...the fish would sometime just knock it out of the water...mouth closed.

38 minutes ago, Chris Catignani said:

Some times the fish like to inhale it and then spit it out.

One day I had bad hook up ratio on a spook...the fish would sometime just knock it out of the water...mouth closed.

Mmm Hmm. Frustrating. I've had smallies do that to me. I swear they slap it with their tail sometimes. 

Use a more powerful rod, especially if you’re going to a heavier wire hook.

I started fishing toads four years ago after an algae invasion. Caught some nice bass on them . Switching to braid with the drag tightened all the way down helped . I use 7 foot mh rod and the hooksets seem to be sufficient . I started using the VMC screw-lock belly weighted hooks that @Jaderose recommended . Its the best hook I found "so far" .

12 hours ago, scaleface said:

I started fishing toads four years ago after an algae invasion. Caught some nice bass on them . Switching to braid with the drag tightened all the way down helped . I use 7 foot mh rod and the hooksets seem to be sufficient . I started using the VMC screw-lock belly weighted hooks that @Jaderose recommended . Its the best hook I found "so far" .

Sorry, my old eyes I guess. I’m not seeing what @Jaderoserecommended re hooks? Although I assume you’re referring to these? What size hook/weight?
 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Drop_Dead_Weighted_Hook_4pk/descpage-VDDWH.html

I always use as big of a hook as I can find, which in my boat is 5/0. It’s hard to hook them but still fun trying! River smallies will absolutely pummel those things 

3 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

Sorry, my old eyes I guess. I’m not seeing what @Jaderoserecommended re hooks? Although I assume you’re referring to these? What size hook/weight?
 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Drop_Dead_Weighted_Hook_4pk/descpage-VDDWH.html

Thats them . I think I use size 5 and its a light weight . I'll let you know later .