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Topwater frogs and toads provide some of the most exciting bass fishing there is. The explosive strikes and scary slurps are reason enough to throw them. But, they're also highly effective in and around heavy matted vegetation as well as open water. Check out what some of the top pros throw and why they like them.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Greg Hackney loves frogs and toads because of how effective they can be in the right circumstances, as well as the fun factor. Not all of his toads are toads, however.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
The Strike King KVD Sexy Frog is his go-to topwater amphibian because it walks easily and is super soft. “The body collapses very easily and the hooks are right there to grab the fish as soon as he bites,” Hackney says.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
“The Strike King Swimmin’ Caffeine Shad is good when a regular moving toad is too much commotion,” he says. “It makes a different sound when you buzz it across the surface.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Hackney goes for the Strike King Rage Toad when he needs a super aggressive presentation. “This is the most aggressive of all the toads in terms of the water it churns up. It’s like a Horny Toad on steroids.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
J Todd Tucker is a topwater technician and never leaves the dock without an array of topwaters.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
His selection consists of, top to bottom, a Picasso Shad Walker, a Zoom Horny Toad and a Snag Proof Fred’s Frog.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
“The Shad Walker comes through the slop better than other topwater toad-style baits because it’s so soft. Plus, it walks like a Spook. It’s a good open water bait, too.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Tucker likes the Snag Proof Fred’s Frog for its realism and hookup ratio. “It’s so soft that when fish go to grab it, it’s almost always a good hookset. In the right colors, it can be a shad or a bream. It’s very versatile.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
The Zoom Horny Toad is the gold standard by which all other toads are measured. Tucker likes it because of the unique sound the churning legs make upon retrieve. “It gets lots of reaction strikes.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Matt Herren’s lineup consists of the Spro Poppin’ Frog, a Reaction Innovations Trixie Shark and a Snag Proof Bobby’s Perfect Frog.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
The Spro Poppin’ Frog is a modified version of the original Bronzeye 65, which Dean Rojas made so famous. The popping version simply has a concave mouth that chugs and spits when it’s worked. It also walks easily.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
“The Trixie Shark makes a big commotion at slower speeds, and because the way the body is made, you can put a massive 7/0 hook in it and almost always get a good hookset.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
The Snag Proof frog Herren’s go-to around matted vegetation like milfoil and hydrilla as well as sloppy patches. “It’s got good hooks and is soft, so I get a lot of hookups.” Note how he’s got a length of braid tied around the line tie to keep water out of the body, even after it gets mauled by a bass.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Fred Roumbanis is the most underrated frog fisherman on tour. He’s designed several frogs, including one of the most widely used colors, Fred’s Frog, which is available on Snag Proof frogs.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Here’s one such example. “Well, I designed the color and I like the frog. It’s stout and soft, which is what you really want is a frog. You don’t miss many on it.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Bobby Lane likes frogs and toads not only in his weed-filled Florida lakes, but all over the country.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Snag Proof’s Guntersville Frog was designed by his brother Chris for the fall frog bite on the famous north Alabama impoundment. A lot of anglers were modifying the frogs, so Snag Proof went ahead and made the mods standard in this model. Shortened legs and an internal attractor get lots of attention.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Stanley Ribbit — This is Lane’s go-to toad when he’s looking to cover water.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Picasso Shad Walker — “This thing has a big profile, throws a mile and is better when they’re eating baitfish, not frogs.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
A black, white and natural frog cover all of Keith Combs’ bases when frog fishing.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
