Ribbit frog question

[Spigola]

Yesterday I went to a local pond for about an hour and was casting a ribbit frog. It appears that I must be doing something wrong with these things because this is not the first time I've used them but I just can't seem to hook fish on them.

I am using a Gami extra wide gap offset worm hook in size 3/0 and rig it through the nose, out, and into and out of the lower body as it should be rigged with the hook resting in the groove along the back.

I am getting lots of hits, must have head ten hits yesterday during midday in a heavily fished pond, but I just can't seem to get the hook set on the fish. And, believe me, I strike at the weight, not the visual strike of the fish.

Anybody have any ideas how to cure this? HELP!!

Spig

[Beachbuster]

Spig,

I don't know what length the frogs are that you're using but I would move up to a #4 or #5 hook. At best you're probably only going to get 30-40% hook ups.

[Paul_M]

Spig,

I've never been a fan of the plastic frogs for a number of reasons. I use hollow body frogs w owner frog hooks.

[Rustyjigz]

1.)Big Hooks! If you are using the Bull Ribbits a 6/0 Wide Gap Superline Gama Hook, and for Regular size Ribbits, a 5/0 Wide Gap Superline Gama hook.

2.)Wait till the fish takes the frog down and you feel the weight of the fish then set the hook like a man.

[bluefish1928thing]

when u cast it out and it sinks, be aware if the line moves. many times i get the strike on the cast instead of the retrieve.
set the hook hard and cross-eyeedi would use no less than 4/0 EWG hooks

[Spigola]

I'm using the smaller frogs, not the bigun's. I guess I'll move up to a 5/0 hook. That should help alot.

Thanks all.

Spig

[DDRRedneck500]

Its also always possible that instead trying to eat the lure, they were just smacking it with their tail. bass will sometimes do that to try and kill something, and depending on how you have the frog hooked and from which direction they are smacking it, that could explain the lack of hook ups

[stripeman103]

I use 4/0 on the smallest size ribbit frogs try a larger hook and they could always be dink bass sometimes a fish is just too small for a bait but it's most likely the hook.

[Beachbuster]

Hey Spig,

I'm sure you know already but just a reminder. Don't cross their eyes if you're fishing braid, no need to.

[Spigola]

Originally Posted by stripeman103

I use 4/0 on the smallest size ribbit frogs try a larger hook and they could always be dink bass sometimes a fish is just too small for a bait but it's most likely the hook.

That may well be the problem. The pond where I was fishing has many leetle bass.

Originally Posted by Beachbuster

Hey Spig,

I'm sure you know already but just a reminder. Don't cross their eyes if you're fishing braid, no need to.

With braid I just give them a good wrist set.

Spig.

[billthe5th]

I don't know that particular bait, but make sure the hook is not buried too far into the bait.
the whole point section of the hook shoudl be as close to the surface of plastic as possible.

one trick I actually learned from one of those espn shows a long time ago was to push the hook point in an out several times, almost as if unrigging and re-rigging the lure, as this will soften the plastic and allow it to move through more easily on the hookset. works great on thick plastics liek soft jerkbaits

If this bait is more hollow bodied, some of this might not apply.

[Bayster]

4/0 or 5/0 hooks. I leave the hook tip up and off the back of the frog about 1/8th inch or less and that gets better hookups.

[Spigola]

Originally Posted by Bayster

4/0 or 5/0 hooks. I leave the hook tip up and off the back of the frog about 1/8th inch or less and that gets better hookups.

Thanks all. Bayster, I went to 5/0's and am gonna' rig 'em with that bit of space 'tween Mr froggy and the hook point. I'll let you know how I make out. I can't believe how many hits I get on these damn things.

Spig

[fish devil]

Frog fishing probably has the lowest hookup ratio out of all the techniques. That's why I'm not a big fan of it .. You sure there not small pickerel whacking at the frog? I use 50lb braid with a Panther Martin frog.