Lee Bailey Jr / Baby Buzzbait

Lee is a retired Bassmaster Elite Series Pro.

How to Fish Frogs for Bass

Frog Fishing Most Effective

Frog Fishing Most Effective when working a hollow-bodied frog across pads, matted grass and stands of emergent vegetation is among the most fun ways to catch bass during the warm months, with explosive strikes sending grass in every direction. It’s also one of the most effective ways to catch bass this time of year and especially good for producing action from big bass.

In many ways, fishing a frog-style lure is very straightforward, and most bass anglers know the basic technique. However, paying closer attention to a few specific things and making some strategic adjustments can elevate your frog fishing game to the next level, resulting in more fish caught. Let’s take a closer look.

Every topwater strike makes bass fishing more fun. But there’s something about topwater frog fishing—watching that almost comical-looking bait hop and sputter and then get suddenly obliterated—that takes fishing’s fun factor to another level. That’s a good enough reason to tie on a topwater frog—but it’s not the only reason.

Frog fishing for bass also happens to be highly effective if you know all the little tips and tricks for getting the most from these surface baits.

For me Frog Fishing Most Effective is my choice. 

How to fish:
  • Blind-Fish Cover with a Frog
  • Frog the Outside Edges
  • Work a Frog in Open Water
  • Skip a Frog
  • Frog the Mats
  • Frog Fishing Lily Pads
Where to fish:

Don’t be afraid to go frog fishing for bass near woods, docks, or other forms of shallow cover, though. Remember that frogs are weedless, so cast directly into the vegetation without fearing the thickest cover. Cast inches from shore if there is a solid bank bordering the weeds.

Equipment:

Getting a toad out of the pads requires a lot of winching power. Opt for a heavy-action baitcasting rod measuring 7 or 8 feet. It needs to be able to handle 1⁄2- to 11⁄2-ounce lures and heavy line. Match your stick with a quality reel that has plenty of line capacity and spool it 50- or 65-pound braid. While there are countless frog options on the market, those with rubber-tassel legs are my favorites for fishing pads, as they maintain action at any speed.

Tip:

If the spot is close to shore, try to cast your lure onto the bank, then gently slide it into the water. Swim the frog slowly over the target and let it stay on the surface where the bass will notice it. Be patient. After a minute or so, a slight twitch is often all it takes to get a strike.


If you’re not using this versatile big fish catching bait, you are missing out. Frogs can be used in a variety of situations and are effective almost all year. They are exceptionally effective during the summer and fall when bass are looking for an easy meal. Tie one on and give it a try this year, you will be glad you did.
“Catch The Dream!”

Fishing’s fun! * Fishing’s explosive! * Fishing’s exciting!