I wanted to do a short write up on fishing the frog. I have been on two good frog bites since I've been home; one on San Diego's Lake Barrett and the other...on an undisclosed location. The bite on Barrett was the best I have been on: a small storm rolled through and it was sprinkling, lowering the barometric pressure enough to trigger a bite. We were pitching frogs under trees for the most part, during the bite my close bud Jeff (whenever we fish the frog, he ALWAYS outfishes me) stuck this fish:
The three of us each stuck around 15 fish during the small flurry, and we each picked off a few more after the bite slowed down. A few nights later I went out by myself and got into a bite and stuck four fish, but lost a donkey.
I don't have a ton of experience froggin' but here's what I have to offer up:
Line: I prefer 65# Power Pro, it cuts through slop, tulies, and whatever other junk you may be fishing. The lack of stretch also allows for better hooksets when fishing in slop.
Reel: Anything with a faster gear ratio will work, a Curado 200E7 works great. Lately I have been using a 300E, which may be a little big but it winches fish in quickly.
Rod: A heavy, fast action rod will do the trick. I fish a Crucial 72H, it's a pure meat stick and gets fish out of the slop fast; however it lacks the soft tip that many anglers prefer.
Frog: Whatever frog you have confidence in. I personally like the Reaction Innovation's Swamp Donkey, sadly like the Vixen, it is also no longer made. It has a great hookup ratio because the hooks are positioned with the points up. Paycheck Baits acquired the mold and added a popper mouth, I haven't fished it yet, but I have heard good things.
