I'm dealing with a bad situation on my fishery, floating slime has invaded and it's really limited what I can do with top water. Smallmouth are predominant here, do you have any suggestions for a small, quality frog? I have a Jackall Kaera but I'm thinking even smaller than that. Lunkerhunt makes a "pocket frog" but reviews say they don't last. 

Why do you want a smaller frog? I fish for Smallmouth all the time, and I use standard size or even large size topwater frogs.

I use pocket frogs some, and they hold up just fine until the legs get ripped off by bluegill. I have removed the legs and put skirt material in their place on one, but I haven't fished it like that enough to catch one.

I was assuming lower hook up rate with a bigger frog... 13-16 inch smallies are the norm here and I just couldn't picture a big frog stuffing in their mouth easy. They also seem to slash more at my other top water baits. I don't have much experience with frog fishing, so appreciate any input.

The pad crasher jrs are 2" compared to the 2 1/4" of the kaera. I see them go on sale both online and at Cabela's all the time.

Not exactly a frog but in situations like you are describing the Raid micro dodge and micro dodge big with their wings removed works like little frogs/spooks.

jackall kaera

I am similar to you in that I have not used frogs very much - I have tried the Booyah Pad Crasher Jr. and the Lunkerhunt Pocket Frog as I wanted a smaller profile frog for small mouth as well - I can say the Pocket Frog has gotten hit by fish a number of times (I have just been too slow with the hook-set, I am working on that !) but has held up fine - I have only thrown the Pad Crasher Jr. once - all the best with your decision and catching small mouth, they are a ton of fun !

the pad crasher junior is the one you want.

 

Also a new one for me (I have one on the way) is the snag proof zoo dog.  It is a walking bait shaped body with frog hooks.  I'm a little worried the hooks are narrow, but I'm going to try it.

Yes, I bought that zoo dog and it arrived today. Will give the pocket frog a try...also ordered a couple other jr frogs. Any suggestions for rods? I'm thinking of going with spinning since I need a basic all purpose medium heavy spinning rod any ways. Would MH be stout enough for smaller frog hooks?

I was going to suggest the Pad Crush Jr but I have had better luck with the floating frog from Zman.  I use either a 4/0 or 5/0 EWG and the thing still floats. I just Texas rig it and hook ups are great. Another option but it doesn't float as well is the Zoom Horny Toad.

Live Target 45mm size is super soft, great hooksets, casts far and comes in awesome colors. (Casts a mile)

Spro has the really small poppin frog. 40mm and 50mm (Casts a mile)

 

Booyah's small frogs are great as well (Good hook up ratio, quality etc.), only downside is they do not cast as far as the Live Target and Spro from my experience. 

 

I know the Jackall Kiera? Frog is popular but I have never used. 

 

Anything under 50mm is what I would consider small....The old school scum frogs make some really small frogs as well, casting distance is only issue. 

 

For a toad the baby ribbits are good.

 

6 hours ago, FishTank said:

I was going to suggest the Pad Crush Jr but I have had better luck with the floating frog from Zman.  

This. These work really well.

 

But you know what works even better? Any of the Goats. Narrower profile, single EWG. Fish eat it easily. And those little legs kick up lots of noise and a bubble trail!! 

 

I'd also throw the Turbo Mag Fatty if you want a topwater worm profile.

 

I've also found the Booyah Toadrunner/Jr. to be great fun to throw. It's a bit like a Plopper and a Frog had a baby.

3 hours ago, RRocket said:

This. These work really well.

 

But you know what works even better? Any of the Goats. Narrower profile, single EWG. Fish eat it easily. And those little legs kick up lots of noise and a bubble trail!! 

 

I'd also throw the Turbo Mag Fatty if you want a topwater worm profile.

 

I've also found the Booyah Toadrunner/Jr. to be great fun to throw. It's a bit like a Plopper and a Frog had a baby.

Goat Toad. I couldn't remember the name but that's the one I was referring to. Fun bait.

 

Another... the Scooper Frog. Doesn't float but fish crush it on the fall.

 

 

2 hours ago, FishTank said:

Goat Toad. I couldn't remember the name but that's the one I was referring to. Fun bait.

 

Another... the Scooper Frog. Doesn't float but fish crush it on the fall.

 

 

Yes.

 

I just use the regular non-Toad version as it's more slender.

Live Target makes a small frog that I use when I want to downsize.

 

Allen 

The GOAT finesse top water deal is ludicrously fun catches small fish and giant fish and it's perfect for this time of year when they don't want to eat anything. Can officially confirm.

2.5" Ozark Trail

On sale right now. Made out of Elastech (or similar) so they last.

 

https://thehookuptackle.com/collections/summer-bulk-bundles/products/bottomup-scooper-frog-daddy-bulk-bundles

38 minutes ago, Big Swimbait said:

On sale right now. Made out of Elastech (or similar) so they last.

 

https://thehookuptackle.com/collections/summer-bulk-bundles/products/bottomup-scooper-frog-daddy-bulk-bundles

Those look interesting.  Am I reading that right though?  You only get one 4 pack for $20?

2 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

Those look interesting.  Am I reading that right though?  You only get one 4 pack for $20?

 

They normally come in a 2 pack.

 

So you are getting 8 total.

 

That is how I look at it.

 

They are basically 50% off it looks.

On 7/16/2025 at 7:53 AM, casts_by_fly said:

the pad crasher junior is the one you want.

 

Also a new one for me (I have one on the way) is the snag proof zoo dog.  It is a walking bait shaped body with frog hooks.  I'm a little worried the hooks are narrow, but I'm going to try it.

Any updates on the zoo dog? I bought one a while back but haven’t had the chance to use it yet. Love the idea of it, hoping it translates to the real world 

16 minutes ago, C.Tucks said:

Any updates on the zoo dog? I bought one a while back but haven’t had the chance to use it yet. Love the idea of it, hoping it translates to the real world 

 

I threw it for some exploratory casts last wednesday.  It walks just like a spook and comes through trees/timber like a frog.  So far it all works as I thought it would.  It wasn't the right lake or situation for it, so I only made a dozen casts to check all of those things out.  I will definitely be throwing it a bunch over the next month and hopefully get a chance to test out the hooks.