As spring transitions into summer, many bass anglers eagerly anticipate the post-spawn period when bass start to recuperate from the rigors of the spawn.
After a short period of recuperation, bass are known to be particularly aggressive and hungry, making it the perfect opportunity for various topwater techniques to trigger explosive topwater bites.
One topwater technique known to really fire up post spawn bass is fishing a hollow belly frog over and around shallow cover.
Choose the Right Gear: First and foremost, you need to make sure you have the right gear for fishing a hollow belly frog. You'll want at least a 7' medium-heavy to heavy action rod with a fast tip and a matching reel with a high gear ratio to quickly retrieve slack line. Braid line with a high weight capacity is recommended to ensure you can set the hook, get the bass away from cover and ultimately land big post spawners.
Select the Right Hollow Belly Frog: When it comes to hollow belly frogs, choosing the right one is crucial. Opt for a frog with a realistic appearance and a soft, hollow body that collapses easily when a bass strikes. Additionally, select a color pattern that closely resembles the local forage species in the area you plan to fish. This attention to detail can significantly increase your chances of fooling bass into biting.
Identifying Ideal Post-Spawn Areas: Understanding the bass's behavior during the post-spawn phase is vital for locating them successfully. After the spawning process, bass tend to move to nearby cover such as submerged vegetation, lily pads, fallen trees, or docks. Look for areas that provide shade, cover, and ambush points, as these are the spots where bass are likely to hide while they recover then feed up to regain their energy.
Timing is Everything: Timing plays a crucial role in hollow belly frog fishing. The best time to target post-spawn bass with a frog is during low-light conditions, such as early morning or late evening. Bass tend to be more active and willing to strike during these periods, increasing your chances of success. However, don't discount the possibility of hooking a bass during other parts of the day. In cloudy or overcast conditions, or when there's a light chop on the water, bass may be more willing to come up and attack a frog.
Here are a few presentation techniques tips can help you entice post-spawn bass into striking:
Targeting Cover: Cast the frog near or over structures and cover like lily pads, submerged vegetation, or fallen trees. Retrieve the frog with a series of short hops, imitating the natural movement of struggling forage. Pausing intermittently and allowing the frog to sit motionless can trigger explosive strikes from lurking bass.
Walk the Frog: With a slow, rhythmic side-to-side motion, "walk" the frog across the water's surface. This technique mimics a bait gliding and creates a commotion that can draw bass from a distance. Make sure to use a rod with a soft tip to enhance the frog's action and increase your hook-setting efficiency.
Popping and Splashing: To imitate forage darting and fleeing on the water's surface, use a combination of short hops, pauses, and gentle pops. This technique creates a commotion that can attract bass from a distance, triggering their predatory instincts and provoking them to strike.
The Pause: Incorporating pauses into your retrieve is essential. After a series of hops or a walking action, let the frog rest for a few seconds. This imitates stationary pause of most struggling forage and entices bass to strike an easy target. Be patient during the pause, as this is often when bass strike with full force.
Take a few moments and watch the following video from the folks at Snagproof where froggin' guru Bobby Barrack demonstrates the why, how and where to fish frogs for post spawn bass...
Looking to upgrade your froggin' gear?
Click the following link to see the great selection available from Omnia Fishing!
No comments:
Post a Comment