KVD's Tips for Frog Fishing As Weather Changes

The hollow body frog, a topwater meal for hungry bass and other aggressive predators, is a summertime staple for many anglers. 

But what happens when the weather throws you a curveball? Don't shelve your frog just yet! 

With a few tweaks to your approach, you can keep the strikes coming even as the skies shift.

Tip 1: Mind the Bass' Mood

A bass's metabolism slows down in calmer and cooler water, so they'll be less inclined to chase down a speedy frog. Adapt your retrieve to a slower, more deliberate pace with longer pauses. Let the frog sit enticingly on the surface, mimicking a vulnerable froggy snack. This gives the fish time to zero in and commit to eating the frog.

Tip 2: Match Color to Light Conditions

Ditch the bright colors of summer for more subdued tones in low-light conditions. Think black, brown, or olive green with subtle hints of chartreuse or white. These hues offer better visibility for fish in overcast or murky water.

Tip 3: Embrace the Edges

As water temperatures drop and light levels decline, fish tend to gravitate towards warmer shallows and structure. Focus your casts on areas like weed edges, fallen logs, and docks where bass might be basking or hiding in ambush. These sheltered spots offer both comfort and potential prey, making them prime targets for your froggy friend.

Take a little time and watch as bass guru Kevin VanDam describes how he approaches changing his frog and presentation according to current weather patterns...

Remember, the key to success with hollow body frogs in changing weather is adaptability. By adjusting your retrieve, color selection and target areas, you can keep those explosive frog bites coming all season long.

Bonus Tip: Don't be afraid to experiment! Different retrieves, like walking the frog or using a popping motion, can be effective depending on the conditions and the fish's mood. The more you practice, the better you'll understand how to make the frog dance to your way, no matter what the weather throws your way.

Can You Change Hooks on Hollow Belly Frogs?

Can you change out the hooks in your favorite hollow belly frog?

Absolutely and here are a few reasons why you might want to change the hooks on your favorite frog:

• To improve hookup ratio. Hollow belly frogs are often used in heavy cover, where bass can easily short strike the bait. By changing to a sharper or more gapped hook, you can increase your chances of setting the hook and landing the fish. 
• To change the size or style of the hook. The stock hooks on hollow belly frogs are often sized for medium-sized bass. If you're targeting larger bass, you may want to upsize the hook to a heavier gauge or a larger size. You may also want to change to a different quality of hook.
• To replace a damaged hook. If the stock hook on your hollow belly frog is dull, bent or rusty, it's important to replace it before using the bait again. A damaged hook can reduce your hookup ratio and make it more difficult to land fish.

Want to learn more?

Take a few minutes and watch as the guys from InFisherman discuss the reasons for changing out frog hooks and show you how easy it can be...

Need to grab some hooks to modify or rehab yout frogs? 

Check out the wide variety of hooks and bait rehab gear available at Lure Parts Online by clicking on the following image!

Skipping Docks with Frogs

Skipping docks with hollow belly frogs is a highly effective bass fishing technique that can produce explosive topwater strikes. 

Bass are ambush predators that love to lie in wait under docks, and a well-skipped frog can be irresistible to a hungry fish.

The right gear

• Rod: A 7-foot medium-heavy or heavy power, fast action casting rod is ideal for skipping frogs. The power of the rod will help you generate the necessary line speed to skip the frog across the water.
• Reel: A baitcasting reel with a good braking system is essential for skipping frogs. The drag will help you control the frog as it skips across the water and prevent it from skipping out of control.
• Line: Braided line is the best choice for skipping frogs. Braided line has no stretch, which gives you more control over the frog and helps you skip it further.
• Frog: Any hollow belly frog will work for skipping, but some frogs are designed specifically for this technique. These frogs typically have a flatter belly and tend to be a little heavier, which helps them skip more easily.

The skipping technique

• Let out about 10-12 inches of line. This will give you enough line to skip the frog, but not so much that it will tangle.
• Hold the rod tip low to the water. This will help the frog skip across the water instead of diving.
• Make a quick, powerful cast. The key to skipping a frog is to generate enough power to get it across the water.
• Aim for the underside of the dock. The goal is to skip the frog under the dock so that it lands in the shade.

Bass pro Bob Downey loves skipping frogs under docks especially when fishing his favorite grass-laden lakes in the north country. Take some time as he gives a great on the water tutorial on the ins and outs of skipping docks with hollow belly frogs…

Can You Power Fish with Frogs?

Yes, of course you can power fish for bass using hollow belly frogs. 

In fact, it can be an effective way to catch big bass, especially during the warmer months when fishing mats of thick vegetation. To effectively power fish with a hollow belly frog, you will need a heavy power, fast action rod and a quality matching reel with a good drag and spooled with 50-60 pound test braided line. Next pick a heavier frog model that depresses the mat and makes it easier for the bass to eat it.

When fishing directly across the matted vegetation, cast the frog out into the mat and let it sit for a few seconds. Then, start retrieving the frog with a steady, moderate to slow retrieve while on top of the mat. This helps the bass located the bait through the canopy of vegetation between it and the frog.

Anytime the frog crosses an open water hole, spped up the retrieve and impart some hard twitches. This will cause the frog to make a popping sound as it moves across the open water, attracting the attention of bass. If you feel a bass hit the frog, set the hook hard and reel the fish in quickly before it buries in the weeds and works itself free.

Take a few minutes and watch as bass pro John Cox demonstrates his approach to power fishing frogs in this video produced by the folks at MLF...

Dean's Go-To Frog Knot

Anyone who follows the top bass tournament trails has not only heard of Dean Rojas but likely knows he is an expert hollow body frog fisherman. As a matter of fact, he's so much of an expert that the folks at SPRO U.S.A. have been working with Dean to develop their line of Bronzeye Frogs for many years.

Where many bass anglers often rely on knots like the Palomar or Improved Clinch knot for many applications, Dean's preferred frog knot is a slight twist on an all-time favorite as he demonstrates in the short video below!

I hope it helps keep those big gals pinned to your favorite kermy!

More Tips for Modifying Hollow Belly Frogs

Hollow belly frogs are a great topwater bait for bass fishing. They can be fished in a variety of ways, including walking the dog, popping, and chugging. 

However, there are a few things you can do to modify your hollow belly frogs to make them even more effective.

1. Add weight

If you're fishing in heavy cover, you may want to add some weight to your hollow belly frog. This will help it to punch through the vegetation and stay in the strike zone longer. You can add weight by adding small bb’s or split shot weights or by simply adding a weight to the hook.

2. Bend the hooks away from the body

Many frog manufacturers place the hook points close to the body to increase snag resistance when working through heavy cover. One of the side effects of the hook points being close to the body; it often leads to poor hook-ups and lost fish. One remedy is to bend the hook points out slightly which helps increase the hook-up ratio while maintaining a high degree of snag resistance.

3. Change the legs

The legs on your hollow belly frog can also be modified to improve its effectiveness. If you're fishing in heavy cover, you may want to trim the legs shorter. This will help the frog to move more easily through the vegetation. If you're fishing in open water, you may want to leave the legs longer. This will help the frog to create more noise and vibration. 

You can also completely change the frog legs to a different material or color to give it a unique appearance in highly pressured waters. The following video from the folks at Tackle Warehouse provides a clear demo of the steps for replacing the legs on your favorite frog…

By following these tips, you can modify your hollow belly frogs to make them unique and even more effective for bass fishing. With a little practice and patience, you'll be catching bass like crazy with your newly modified frog.

Fishing Frogs for Early Summer Bass

Early summer is a great time to fish hollow belly frogs for bass. The water is warm, the bass are active, and the vegetation is still thick, meaning frogs are a great bait to target bass holding on shallow cover.

Here are several tips on how to fish frogs for early summer bass:

• Use the right frog. There are a lot of different hollow belly frogs on the market, so it's important to choose one that is right for the conditions you're fishing in. If you're fishing in thick vegetation, you'll need a larger frog to make more of a disturbance as it works through the weeds. If you're fishing in open water, you can use a smaller frog with a more natural color pattern to match the local forage.

• Fish in the right areas. Look for areas where there is a variety of vegetation, such as lily pads, cattails, and reeds. Take note of the type of vegetation bass are using each time you’re on the water. Bass will often hide in these areas and ambush prey in similar areas across the lake.

• Use a variety of retrieves. You can fish a frog a variety of ways, and the best retrieve to use will depend on the conditions and the mood of the bass. A good starting point is to use a popping retrieve. This involves popping the frog on the surface of the water to create ripples. Bass will often strike at the frog when it is rippling the water. You can also use a walking retrieve, which involves slowly dragging the frog across the surface of the water. This is a good way to cover a lot of water and find active bass. 

• Set the hook quickly. Bass will often strike at a frog very quickly, so be prepared to set the hook as soon as you feel a bite.

• Be patient. Fishing with a frog can be a slow process, but it can be very rewarding. Be patient and keep working the areas where you think bass are holding, and you'll eventually get bit.

There’s no doubt, Bassmaster Classic champ Jason Christie relies on frogs as one of his “go-to” baits for catching big bass in shallow cover throughout the year. Take a few minutes and watch as he explains his system for using frogs when chasing early summer bass…

Frog Fishing for Post Spawn Bass

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!

Frog Fishing Gear

Tips to Better Frog Fishing

Hollow belly frogs are a great way to catch bass in shallow water, especially in the spring through fall months. 

They are weedless, so you can fish them through thick vegetation and heavy cover without getting hung up. And they make a significant disturbance on the water, which helps attract bass from a long way away.

To fish a hollow belly frog, you'll need a 7-foot medium-heavy to heavy power rod and  30-pound-plus braid line. You can use a spinning or a baitcasting, but a baitcaster is easier to control when you're fishing in thick vegetation or heavy cover.

The best way to fish a hollow belly frog is to pop or walk it along the surface of the water. This will create a disturbance that will attract bass. You can also let the frog sit for a few seconds before working it again giving the bass a chance to get a good idea of the frog’s exact location in the cover.

Hollow belly frogs can be fished in a variety of places, including lily pads, grass, around wood, along brush lines and docks. They are especially effective in areas where there is a lot of cover.

Even though many anglers feel the best place to fish frogs is around and over some type of vegetation, there are other situations where hollow belly frogs shine as pointed out in the following video…

Have you rigged up your frog rod yet?

Fishing Frogs In Natural Lakes

Nothing is more exciting than working a topwater lure over grass mats and suddenly the cover explodes with water flying everywhere then your bait vanishes as a big ole bass inhales it. 

What's the best bait for triggering explosive strikes from bass holding beneath vegetated canopies? 

The hollow body frog of course!

Take a moment and listen as one of the best ever bass anglers, Kevin VanDam (KVD) describes his approach to fishing densely vegetated natural lakes and ponds throughout his home state of Michigan...

KVD mentioned that heavier frogs that make more of a disturbance are often key to triggering strikes when fishing dense canopies. 

One "enhancement" to your frog when fishing dense surface cover; place a few BBs inside the frogs hollow body. It not only adds weight so the frog presses into the cover more but also adds another noise source many bass have not been exposed to!

Looking to upgrade your froggin' gear?

Click the following link to see the great selection available from Omnia Fishing!

Frog Fishing Gear

Thoughts on Frog Selection

Watching a bass blow up on a hollow belly frog worked through cover is one on the most exhilarating moments bass anglers experience. It's little wonder why frog fishing is so popular in the bass fishing world!

One issue many new frog fisherman have is the variety of hollow belly frog body styles, sizes and colors usually leaves us perplexed about which frog to use to match the conditions on the water (water clarity, cover type, fishing pressure, etc.).

Fortunately 2022 Bassmaster Classic winner Jason Christie took the time to provide his approach to selecting the right frog to match the conditions encountered when on the water. Take a few minutes and watch as he explains his system in the following short video...

Need to add a frog oor two to your collection? Click on the following link to see the frog selection offered at Omnia Fishing:

Hollow Belly Frog Selection

Walking the Hollow-belly Frog

There is one bait that reigns supreme when fishing areas with heavy surface vegetation; the hollow bellied frog!

Though the frog looks like a fairly simple bait to fish, there are some tweaks to your presentation that can definitely increase the number of strikes you can trigger with it especially when fishing it in more open water.

Take a moment and watch as bass pro J.T. Kenney explains his presentation system for increasing bass strikes when fishing hollow-belly frogs...

Different Frogs for Different Conditions

Just about every bass angler loves the thrill they get when seeing a bass rise from the depths and explode on a hollow bellied frog being worked over and through grass and pad fields. 

Although the thought of picking up the frog rod is instantaneous when fishing vegetation, there are other situations where hollow bodied frogs will work as well.

Many lure manufacturer's have developed a variety of hollow bodied frog styles to optimize success depending on the conditions encountered throughout a day on the water.

The folks from American Baitworks have created and enhanced their Scum Frog line-up to meet the needs of frog fishing enthusiasts everywhere as they explain in the following video:

The Scum Frog line-up has some pretty interesting choices including kicking frogs, specialized colored frogs and even weight-enhanced frogs for extra casting distance.

Want to see more?

Click on the following link to see the different hollow body bait options available in the Scum Frog line-up:

Scum Frog Choices

Tips for Fishing Hollow-belly Frogs in the Wind

Every bass angler loves the action when a big ole bass explodes on top to engulf a frog. There are fewer bass strikes that get the blood flowing and excitement rising as quickly as a frog bite.

Though most of us love fishing frogs, we're all faced with a big challenge anytime the winds blows since a majority of hollow-belly frogs tend to ride high on top of the water and can be knocked around by sudden wind gusts.

One way to overcome this issue... add a little weight to your frog to help it ride lower in the water and make casting into the wind easier. 

Take a moment and watch as the folks from W2F provide a pretty cool method for adding weight to frogs using a nail weight and heat shrink wrap...

Pretty cool but it seems a little piece of electrical tape might work as well.

Need to add a few frogs to your arsenal? 

Check out this variety if you do!

Hollow-belly Frog Options

Does Frog Size Matter?

Big baits, big bass, right?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no...

There are times when the smaller version of one of the best big bass baits around, the hollow body frog, is a better choice than it's larger cousins as bass pro Seth Feider discusses in the following W2F video...

Early Season Frog Fishing

What do most bass anglers picture when seeing the hollow body frog collection in their boxes? 

Extended periods of warm to hot weather and vegetation-laden lakes and ponds.

Did you realize that hollow-body frogs can also start to shine when the water rises into low to mid sixties?

Absolutely and here is frog fishing aficionado Jessie Mizell presenting several tips to help you extend your frog fishing season!

Busting Bass with Buzzing Frogs

I absolutely love bass fishing with topwaters … 

How about you?  Does it get your adrenaline flowing; get the heart pumping? 

In my book it should 🙂 

As we move through spring and head toward summer, one thing is certain.  Frogs begin to croak and bass begin to key in these long-legged amphibians as a true delicacy! 

Here is a great video from Bama Bass fishing for bass with the Culprit Incredi-Frog.

They are really nailing great bass on top in this one! 

So take a few minutes to sit back, grab a snack and relax to watch some truly “explosive” topwater buzzing frog action!

Makes you want to run out, hit your local tackle shop and head for the lake doesn’t it?

Picking the Right Frog Depends on Cover

With the growing selection of hollow-bellied frog types on the market today, is there a method to determine what type of frog is best around certain types of cover?

According to frog fishing expert Dean Rojas, the answer is YES…

Take a moment and listen to what Dean has to say regarding picking the right style of frog is often dependent on the cover being fished in the following video…

One thing is certain … when Dean Rojas talks frog fishing, it’s definitely time to listen

Killer Hacks for Hollow-Body Frogs

Here’s a question many new frog anglers ask…

Do you use a frog the way it comes from the package or modify it to increase its “catch-ability”?

Most talented froggin’ freaks modify their frogs to either change the action or increase hook-up effectiveness as Gark Klein describes in this video…

What do you do when purchasing a new frog?

Curious minds want to know!

Use A Loop Knot When Frog Fishing

Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer describes why using a loop knot is key when fishing frogs…

Watch for the animated graphic between 16 and 24 seconds showing how to tie the loop knot!

Ribbitt...