Frog hunting with JVD

Posted on
Jonathon VanDam is a well-known smallmouth expert who had his fishing skills put to the test in the first “Bullfrog-Masters Elite Series Event presented by Charmin Toilet Tissue.” The event was showcased during the Shimano “Cast Smarter” Media Conference at Grosse Savanne Lodge in Southwest Louisiana.
Jonathon VanDam is a well-known smallmouth expert who had his fishing skills put to the test in the first “Bullfrog-Masters Elite Series Event presented by Charmin Toilet Tissue.” The event was showcased during the Shimano “Cast Smarter” Media Conference at Grosse Savanne Lodge in Southwest Louisiana.
While most frog hunting typically takes place by grabbing the frogs with hands or a gig on a long pole. This event was all fishing. And it didn’t take long for VanDam to catch the first one.
While most frog hunting typically takes place by grabbing the frogs with hands or a gig on a long pole. This event was all fishing. And it didn’t take long for VanDam to catch the first one.
There were no frog-care penalties in this event. That will surely come later. But it took a strong grasp to hold the slippery amphibians to unhook them.
There were no frog-care penalties in this event. That will surely come later. But it took a strong grasp to hold the slippery amphibians to unhook them.
Most were hooked well and VanDam forgot to hide his secret bait while posing for a photo.
Most were hooked well and VanDam forgot to hide his secret bait while posing for a photo.
Trey Epich of Shimano quickly added his first catch, fighting the leggy frog from thick cane and cattail.
Trey Epich of Shimano quickly added his first catch, fighting the leggy frog from thick cane and cattail.
John Mazurkiewicz admires the catch of nice catch.
John Mazurkiewicz admires the catch of nice catch.
And then Mazurkiewicz gets in on the act, catching his first and never losing a grip on his cigar.
And then Mazurkiewicz gets in on the act, catching his first and never losing a grip on his cigar.
By his own admission, Mazurkiewicz had never seen frogs so big, not even in a restaurant.
By his own admission, Mazurkiewicz had never seen frogs so big, not even in a restaurant.
VanDam would continue to haul in bullfrogs.
VanDam would continue to haul in bullfrogs.
And Epich would match him leg for leg.
And Epich would match him leg for leg.
Even the photographer got a chance to show them an old-school way of twitching a bait on front of a frog.
Even the photographer got a chance to show them an old-school way of twitching a bait on front of a frog.
Bullfrogs in the area were getting ready to spawn, grouping up in what is known as choruses. This one rests on a lily pad, while a bait is lowered in front of it.
Bullfrogs in the area were getting ready to spawn, grouping up in what is known as choruses. This one rests on a lily pad, while a bait is lowered in front of it.
Sometimes the cover was so thick you almost needed a flipping stick to get to them.
Sometimes the cover was so thick you almost needed a flipping stick to get to them.
But even a good medium/heavy rod would often send the frog in the air on a hook set.
But even a good medium/heavy rod would often send the frog in the air on a hook set.
And there were plenty of the croakers around.
And there were plenty of the croakers around.
Some of them just waiting for the chance to be caught by a VanDam.
Some of them just waiting for the chance to be caught by a VanDam.
Others sitting on the bank and wondering what are those two guys doing in front of me?
Others sitting on the bank and wondering what are those two guys doing in front of me?
VanDam and Epich work side-by-side to entice a bite and become the first champion of the “Bullfrog-Masters Elite Series Event presented by Charmin Toilet Tissue.”
VanDam and Epich work side-by-side to entice a bite and become the first champion of the “Bullfrog-Masters Elite Series Event presented by Charmin Toilet Tissue.”