When selecting a Snag Proof Frog
from your favorite tackle provider there are several factors to consider before
you buy. Sure, we all want to purchase one that looks cool to us, but will the
bass share the same sentiment?
If you fish Maryland’s Upper Chesapeake
Bay, one of the hottest big bass frog lakes in the country, you have to think
about such variables as time of year, recent weather activity, tidal flow,
water clarity, and visible cover you intend to fish. Seems like a lot of work
just to buy a Snag Proof Frog or two, doesn’t it?
Let’s break it down beginning with
tide. If you are fishing the Upper Bay or even the Potomac River in late spring
or early summer what exactly do you see at dead low tide? Maybe a pea gravel
bank, emergent vegetation, or perhaps a mud flat void of any visible cover.
Wait! Let’s analyze that mud flat. Do you see quarter-size holes in the fresh
mud? That’s a sure sign that there are crawdads in that particular area making
it a big bass smorgasbord!
If these crawdad holes or even
crawdads themselves are visible don’t select a “pretty” Snag Proof Frog from
your inventory. This is the ideal scenario for Bobby’s Perfect Buzz in the
Sparrow pattern (pictured). This color perfectly mimics the colors of a spring
crawdad. You will vary your speed of retrieve on successive casts and trick
that big lunker into thinking someone just served up a giant crawdad on a
platter!
If you are fishing in clearer water,
be it tidal or not during the spawn this spring you will likely notice lots of
bluegill swimming around in shallow water either protecting their own nests or
trying to steal eggs from other spawning beds. Remember, you are not the only
one who sees them. Big bass are on the prowl waiting to ambush them. Note the
color of these ‘gills: soft shades of pearl, blue, green, yellow, and purple.
Wait a minute…that’s the Snag Proof Sexy Shad pattern (pictured)! Pick up a
frog rod with a Bobby’s Perfect Frog on the other end and make long parallel
casts along the shoreline. Add a couple of pauses to your retrieve cadence and
Mr. Bass will think he has an easy meal.
If you’ve never specifically
targeted smallmouth bass with a Snag Proof Frog you are probably in the
majority. Why? Because the fishing shows on TV and bass magazines don’t tell us
to. It’s time to be adventurous!
Northern lakes that are chocked full
of smallmouth such as Oneida Lake in New York have earned a reputation of
fantastic topwater venues. Usually, however one first associates cigar type
“walk-the-dog” baits or a popper/chugger type lure. Time to think outside the
box.
If a weather front or even fishing
pressure has pushed the smallies off the shoals, ledges, or shallow rock piles
it might be time to move deep. Use your electronics to locate deep points that
don’t extend way out into the water, but are still relatively close to the
shoreline. This is the perfect opportunity to choose a more traditional color,
such as a white Ish’s Phat Frog (pictured) and fish it using an unconventional
method…over this deep water.
Launch that Phat Frog over these
deep points, making sure to vary your retrieve angles. Work the frog quickly
and in this instance don’t pause it too long. In deeper water the bass will
have a longer opportunity to look at the bait and possibly determine it’s an
imitation. You will be amazed at how often a big bronze back will rise from the
depths to take a shot at Ish’s signature bait. When using this technique,
however don’t wait to feel the fish before setting the hook. It’s best to
employ what I call the “Jerk and Twerk” method…twist your hips and hit ‘em
hard!
To summarize, there is nothing
wrong with choosing a Snag Proof Frog because it is an awesome looking bait.
But doing your homework and applying the right frog to the current conditions
will add a lot of big bass to your livewell.
The Snag Proof Open Frog Only
National Tournament Trail swings to the Upper Chesapeake Bay in North East,
Maryland on August 23rd. For more information visit www.snagproof.com or www.paychecktournamentseries.com.
Order link for a Bobby's Perfect
Buzz - http://www.snagproof.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=70_73&product_id=56
Order link for a Bobby’s Perfect
Frog - http://www.snagproof.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=70_102&product_id=59
Order link for an Ish's Phat Frog - http://www.snagproof.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=70_102&product_id=50
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