July 2017 FLBR BS Thread

[Capt. BassinLou]

I had planned to go out this morning but when the alarm went off at 4:30 I turned it off and fell back asleep. Kind of sucks but I guess I needed the sleep before hitting the work trail again tomorrow.

I might grab a rod and hit a bank spot or two. One thing I got to see while working in Ft Lauderdale area is all those canals that run along the roads everywhere on the way there and back. There were a ton of great looking places with dams, locks, and what have you.

You guys have some great places to fish down there both from the bank and boat.

Fred, didn't know you were in our neck of the woods last week. Yeah, parts of South FL have canals zig zagging all over it. Pretty nice bass can be caught from them to boot.

[Capt. BassinLou]

Mini report: Hit the St. John's this morning. Water level is back up with a pretty good current. Picked up 2 on the gold Boy Howdy first thing and had a couple of misses on the popping frog. I caught fish here and there pitching a black/blue beaver and they seemed pretty spread out. I ended up with 9 and most were good quality fish. Biggest went around 4 lbs. I couldn't get to #10. Off the water at noon. Fun day!

Flats, thanks for the mini report, looks like you had a good outing.

[Capt. BassinLou]

Had some free time today so I went over to BPS to buy some hardware I was missing to make my version of this new Sprinker frog that has hit the market. So for $5 I bought the hardware and I have a ziplock of retired LT frogs. I just came back from testing this frog out at my neighborhood canal for 5 minutes, and I really like the concept. I think this frog can catch the attention of some very nice fish. Here's a pic of my version. Keep in mind its not the prettiest since its a retired frog, but the bass won't know the difference.. 

[Capt. BassinLou]

Here's a retired brown black with a Big EZ tail for a paddle. I think this one will displace more water. The white frog had an EZ swimmer paddle tail and the displacement was tight like a small prop bait. The bigger paddle tail should disturb the water a bit more. I will report later on today.

[SteelHorseCowboy]

I had one Yeti, it was left by a camper at our Club. I wouldn't pay that much for one, so I bought the Ozark Trail ones at Wal Mart. I see no difference at all including the lids, in fact just to see I cross checked the lids and they both worked the same.

The Camper that left the Yeti was a friend of mine. I didn't know that until he came back the next year and asked if anyone had turned in a Yeti Cup that he had left, I said no and he looked heartbroken. I brought it in and walked up to him and said 'I got something for ya" and handed it to him. I thought he was gonna cry he was so happy.

Mighty nice of ya, and technically not a fib!

[SteelHorseCowboy]

Cool concept on the frogs, how exactly are you attaching the tail to the swivel? Reckon different lengths of swivels could have an effect on the action and attractiveness to a fish?

On using yeti or knockoff yeti for coffee, I pour it and drop one ice cube in, stir it, and it's at or close to drinking temp instead of lip burning temp.

[Capt. BassinLou]

Cool concept on the frogs, how exactly are you attaching the tail to the swivel? Reckon different lengths of swivels could have an effect on the action and attractiveness to a fish?

On using yeti or knockoff yeti for coffee, I pour it and drop one ice cube in, stir it, and it's at or close to drinking temp instead of lip burning temp.

I'm using a hitch hiker. It snaps on the swivel. Identical to the ones on swim bait hooks

[SFL BassHunter]

Make sure you close the gap on that bait keeper with pliers.

[West6550]

You could buy ez swimmers that do the same thing :-)

[SFL BassHunter]

You could buy ez swimmers that do the same thing :-)

They don't float though.

[West6550]

Good luck with the old frogs not a bad idea.

Try a Stanley floating frog. Just like a buzz frog but different material so it floats.


Or a Stanley top toad, hollow body wit me the same legs.

[SFL BassHunter]

Yea I suppose those would have a similar effect.

[Capt. BassinLou]

Yeah.. it's pretty much a single tail buzzing frog.

[SteelHorseCowboy]

I've been using a Zoom Horny Toad. I've gotten several hits and one catch with it. I'm still learning that you can't try to set the hook as soon as you get a bite on it. That's caused me to miss a couple that'd easily be the biggest I've caught, being new to this.

[Deadeye]

Using any top water bait (be it a Hollowbody Frog, Buzz Frog/Toad, Popper, Spook, u-name-it) I have found it is best to feel some weight on the line before doing the hook set. Yes will make you loose a few that Grab & Spit but most do not do that and your hook up ratio will go way up by doing this.

Simply see the hit, lower the rod and either wait for the fish to take enough line to tighten it or reel up the slack, then Cross His Eyes!

[SteelHorseCowboy]

Lol, I'm trying to man! It's just exciting when you see a big one slam it. Heck, I get excited when small ones hit it! I'll get the hang of it eventually. I've read all the advice and tips on using them, pretty much the same as what you just said. I need more experience with it and to practice more self discipline.

[Capt. BassinLou]

Lol, I'm trying to man! It's just exciting when you see a big one slam it. Heck, I get excited when small ones hit it! I'll get the hang of it eventually. I've read all the advice and tips on using them, pretty much the same as what you just said. I need more experience with it and to practice more self discipline.

SteelHorse, the main challenge is controlling that reflex of setting the hook right away. Once you can control that reflex  and you can quickly see when your frog has been swallowed, your hooksets will vastly improve.

[SteelHorseCowboy]

Yep. I have a tendency to react disproportionately to lots of things. You should see me when I'm surprised by a spider. High pitched screams, shoe kung fu, and laughs all around.

[LgMouthGambler]

Here's a retired brown black with a Big EZ tail for a paddle. I think this one will displace more water. The white frog had an EZ swimmer paddle tail and the displacement was tight like a small prop bait. The bigger paddle tail should disturb the water a bit more. I will report later on today.

You better be careful, thats copyright infringement. 

[Capt. BassinLou]

You better be careful, thats copyright infringement. 

I can see that but I'm not selling...

[LgMouthGambler]

I can see that but I'm not selling...

Come on, we all know you selling. It might not be that frog, but we know..

[Capt. BassinLou]

Come on, we all know you selling. It might not be that frog, but we know..

Well that's entirely a different story LOL

[SFL BassHunter]

Yep. I have a tendency to react disproportionately to lots of things. You should see me when I'm surprised by a spider. High pitched screams, shoe kung fu, and laughs all around.

Spiders have the same effect on me as well. Also the desire to set the entire place on fire...

Come on, we all know you selling. It might not be that frog, but we know..

lol, I thought the frogs were the container...

[Capt. BassinLou]

Spiders have the same effect on me as well. Also the desire to set the entire place on fire...
lol, I thought the frogs were the container...

Shhhh.... Rick!! .... rotfl.

[SteelHorseCowboy]

Spiders have the same effect on me as well. Also the desire to set the entire place on fire...
lol, I thought the frogs were the container...

Camel spiders scream when they burn. And run. Fast. And I swear they can move in 15 different directions at once.
I'm just glad they don't get bigger.
NatGeo claims they average about six inches and can run up to 10 mph. Less reliable sources claim they can get to 15 inches (largest recorded is allegedly 12), can run up to 30 mph, and can jump up to 4 feet.
They're born of nightmares and the tears of grown men.