Over the years, frog fishing has evolved from strictly popping and walking along the surface to buzzing as fast as you want to fish. Soft plastic toad style buzzing frogs and hollow-bodied frogs with attachments are two great ways to catch bass.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Stetson Blaylock relies on both types of artificial amphibians when the conditions are right.
Fishing the Toad
Blaylock says that the YUM Tip Toad is one of the most versatile frog imitators on the market and he has found many uses for it. Simply cast it out and bring it back to you.
“One of the best things about it is how many ways you can fish it. I rig it weightless or with a weighted hook, and also use it quite a bit as a trailer. It is great on the back of a buzzbait, vibrating jig, or swim jig,” he said.
“One thing I adjust is my speed based on the conditions and cover. Some days, you want it up on the surface like a buzzbait, and that’s when I fish it on a weightless hook. If it is a little windy or if I am fishing thicker cover, I’ll use a weighted hook,” he said.
He prefers the Gamakatsu Superline Extra Wide Gap hooks and will use anywhere from a 3/O up to a 6/O hook depending on the fishery and cover. When opting for a weighted hook, he likes a light 1/16-ounce size.
“If I am catching a lot of average size fish, I’m not afraid to use a 3/O to give the bait a little more action. If it is really thick cover or the lake is full of big fish, I’ll go all the way up to a 6/O,” said Blaylock.
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When to Buzz
Blaylock shared that the Tip Toad works most of the year, but it excels late in the summer and into the fall.
“I’ve had my best success with it when the bass start to move back shallow after being out deep all summer. But, it will work during the summer, too. The Tip Toad is very versatile, and you can fish it in thick cover or open water,” he said.
Swimming the Toad Runner and Toad Runner Jr.
The two sizes of Booyah’s Toad Runner frogs feature a hollow body and adjustable tail attachment that can significantly change how the bait works on the surface.
Blaylock has found that they excel when bass are spawning near grass and then again in the dead of summer.
“For me, these baits are a trail-and-error lure because the tails are moldable and you can change the action based on how you bend it. Some days they want it bent out and fished fast, and other times, you can bend it in and get that deep thumping sound,” said the Arkansas pro.
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When to Run
The Toad Runner is Blaylock’s choice when he is looking for a big bite.
“If I am on a good bite with a regular frog like the Pad Crasher and have a limit in the box, I’ll switch to the Toad Runner. For me, it is not a numbers bait; it is a way to catch better size,” he said.
The Toad Runner Jr. is the opposite he shared.
“It’s a totally different animal because it gets tons of bites. I use it in the same places I would use a buzzbait, and the good thing is it can be fished in the thickest of cover or open-water, and it won’t hang up.”
Color Thoughts
Blaylock is pretty simple when it comes to color selection, but does have his favorites.
“For the Toad Runner I like a black (Night Train) or Bone color, but on the Jr. size, I also like Leopard Frog when fishing around thick grass. On the Tip Toad, the more neutral colors like Black, Green Pumpkin, and Watermelon Red Flake always seem to do better for me,” said the Bassmaster pro.
Gear Selection
When fishing any of these baits, Blaylock likes to use a speedy baitcast reel and braided line.
He prefers the 13 Fishing Concept BOSS in the 8.1:1 retrieve spooled with 40 to 50-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid in Stealth Gray. The lighter of the line for the Tip Toad and the heavier for both the Toad Runner baits.
“For the Toad Runners, I want a stiff rod to put the meat to them. I like the 7’4” heavy 13 Fishing Muse Black, and for the Tip Toad, I use the 7’3” medium heavy Envy Black,” he added.
The buzzing and plopping style of frog-imitators continue to evolve in both how you can fish them and where. Blaylock and others have learned that they are a useful tool to get big bass to bite.
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