Fishing Technique Guide

Frog — Walking the Dog on Top

Difficulty: IntermediateBest seasons: Summer, FallStyles: boat, kayak

Walking a hollow body frog through matted vegetation and over lily pads — the most exciting presentation in bass fishing. The frog's side-to-side action mimics a real frog crossing the surface.

When to use it

Peak performance from June through September when heavy vegetation mats form and bass position underneath them. Water temps above 65°F are ideal. Early fall before vegetation dies back offers some of the best frog fishing of the year.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Cast the frog onto or past matted vegetation, lily pads, or into openings in cover.

  2. 2

    Hold the rod tip low — pointed at the water at about 8 o'clock.

  3. 3

    Use short, rhythmic twitches of the rod tip — about 6 inches each — while reeling up slack between twitches.

  4. 4

    The lure should walk left-right-left-right across the surface.

  5. 5

    Walk it across the mats and let it pause in any opening in the vegetation.

  6. 6

    When a fish explodes or the frog disappears, wait a beat — then set the hook hard with a strong hookset (frogs require a powerful set to penetrate through the mat and the fish's mouth).

Pro Tip

Use heavy braid (50–65 lb) for frog fishing through heavy cover. Lighter line will get cut on vegetation and you'll lose fish.

More Techniques

Pitching & Flipping a JigTexas Rig — Drag and HopCrankbait — Deflection RetrieveSpinnerbait — Slow RollTopwater Popper — Pop and PauseSwimbait — Slow RollNed Rig — Drag and DeadstickDrop Shot — Shake and HoverVertical Jigging — SpoonLive Bait — Bobber Rig

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