Top water/lures

[Young5]

New angler just started really getting into fishing last spring/summer and really only know how to fish rubber worms.. I really want to expand my tackle this year and was wondering if anyone could give me advice on how to fish frogs and when, or any other top water or lures in general, thanks guys

[Lipripper]

New angler just started really getting into fishing last spring/summer and really only know how to fish rubber worms.. I really want to expand my tackle this year and was wondering if anyone could give me advice on how to fish frogs and when, or any other top water or lures in general, thanks guys

Your in luck we got some Frog lovers on here who fish them a lot so just hang on and they will be glad to help.

[SFL BassHunter]

Hi Young5, here are 2 excellent articles written by BassinLou who is one of our top froggers.

http://ultimatebass.com/fishing/articles/angler-how-tos/fishing-with-hollow-body-frogs/

http://ultimatebass.com/fishing/articles/angler-how-tos/fishing-a-hollow-body-frog/

They are a good starting point. With a HB frog, it takes practice and dedication to master. First trying to learn how to work them, and then there is the part on hooksetting. It can really try your patience. Stay the course and you'll eventually get it. 

[Capt. BassinLou]

Thank you Rick.

Young5, frogs imho are one of the most exhilarating topwater baits a bass fisherman should throw.
You should also look into learning how to fish a Heddon Spook. You learn how to walk that bait, and fishing/walking a HB frog will be a breeze.

Best of luck on your frogging journey. If you have additional questions, please ask away. We are here to help you.

[SFL BassHunter]

Lou is right. The Spook is a great gateway lure. It can really help you because its like baby steps. It's easier to walk but you learn the mechanics. Then you make a few adjustments and walking the frog becomes easier.

[zippyduck]

There are four catergories of topwater baits, poppers, walking baits ( spooks ), prop ( torpedoes ), and frogs.
The first three are open water baits each has a place and time.
The easiest is the popper just pop it with short jerks and vary the retrieve till you figure out how fast the fish want it.
Same with a prop bait but you can go alot slower with them.
The spooks have to be learned as it is hard to keep it walking without lots of practice.
Frogs can be walked in open water and drug across heavy grass.

Then you have my new favorite whopper ploppers easy to use and they just get bitten.

[bassinbrian]

Buzzbaits are fun and very easy, just cast and reel , cast and reel. 
I use my Horny Toad the same way sometimes, it's just like a subtle buzz bait, not the loud noise. 

Spooks are fun, just need to learn to walk-the-dog , not to hard to get the hang of. 

Top waters are fun   


BB

[Ponson416]

how to fish frogs and when, or any other top water or lures in general

As for the when, I have one tied on year round.  I may not use it sometimes, but I always have one available.  Let me give you some money saving advice.  Don't get all caught up in the thousand different color options.  I use 3 colors: white, black, and green.  Hollow bodied frogs are by far my favorite way to catch.

One of my other favorite topwater lures is a Storm Chug Bug.  From the coldest winter day, to the hottest summer day, I've gotten bit on a chug bug.

I recently bought a whopper plopper.  I'm anxious to start throwing that.  I've seen enough evidence to convince me to shell out the money for a couple.  I hope it doesn't disappoint.

[analfisherman]

I started with poppers.....inexpensive, easy to fish (can't really fish them wrong) and they catch fish.....especially during pre-spawn, spawn, and post spawn.
So you can start getting action as soon as you start the season!

You shorebusting or boat fishing?
Where you fish at?
You fish open water or Pads and Vegetation?

AND WELCOME TO THE SITE YOUNG5!!! 

[loomisguy]

I think if I had to choose a topwater bait to start with these days it would be the Whopper Plopper in the 130 size.
It takes a fairly stout rod but you can throw the thing a country mile and can cover a lot more water than a walking bait or popper. Can't fish it wrong, just cast and reel it back.. pause it like a prop bait if you like.

[tooboocoo]

Any lure that floats potentially is a topwater bait.  I've caught a bunch of good fish on deep diving crankbaits by just pausing a few seconds before you start you retrieve.  My favorite "topwater" and most productive is a broken back Rebel minnow....actually a shallow running minnow bait. 

[LgMouthGambler]

Here is a tip. Just buy hollow frogs, buzzin frogs, pop r baits, torpedo baits, spooks, and buzz baits. Get out there and start tossing them. Youll find out what you like, and the fish like. Then, you start having fun. Careful, fishing isnt the addicting part, its the tackle.

<")))<{

[Oldfart9999]

Here is a tip. Just buy hollow frogs, buzzin frogs, pop r baits, torpedo baits, spooks, and buzz baits. Get out there and start tossing them. Youll find out what you like, and the fish like. Then, you start having fun. Careful, fishing isnt the addicting part, its the tackle.

<")))<{

Unless you have more reels than baits.
Rodney

[LgMouthGambler]

Unless you have more reels than baits.
Rodney

Thats a whole nother problem. Lol

<")))<{

[NHBull]

I thought I wanted to throw frogs, but that was until I tossed a rat.  Have yet to find an area that it doesn't work.....my PB was on the 40 last Summer

[Smallie_Stalker]

New angler just started really getting into fishing last spring/summer and really only know how to fish rubber worms.. I really want to expand my tackle this year and was wondering if anyone could give me advice on how to fish frogs and when, or any other top water or lures in general, thanks guys

Sorry, I'm a little late to the party here. Where you live you have some prime smallmouth fishing. Most days you can throw topwater baits all day long for smallies. And they don't have to be shallow fish either. Smallies will come up from deep water and absolutely crush a topwater.

Try poppers or walking baits or wake style crankbaits or even a buzzbait. A faster more erratic retrieve will get their attention, and their aggressive nature makes it hard for them to ignore something like that.

Those same baits will also work on the largemouth, they just won't come up from the depths the same as the smallies will, but you can work them around docks, laydowns and shade lines all day long. For the largemouth you just may have to slow down some and keep the bait more oriented to the cover.

[analfisherman]

Curious, no one mentioned  flukes, no one fish them skirting them across the top?

[Smallie_Stalker]

Curious, no one mentioned  flukes, no one fish them skirting them across the top?