The Basics of Fishing Topwater Frogs

Fishing with topwater frogs is one of the most exciting ways to target bass and other predatory fish. The visual explosion when a fish smashes a frog lure is unlike any other strike in fishing. Whether you’re working a hollowbody frog through lily pads or skittering a soft-body frog across open water, understanding the different frog types, proper gear, and when to use each style is essential for consistent success.

Types of Topwater Frogs

While there are countless variations, most topwater frogs fall into three main categories: Hollowbody Standard, Hollowbody Popping, and Soft Body. Each has specific strengths and situations where it excels.

1. Hollowbody Standard Frogs

Hollowbody standard frogs are the most common type and a staple in every bass angler’s tackle box. These lures have a soft, collapsible body that hides strong double hooks. The body collapses under pressure during a strike, allowing the hooks to penetrate.

• Best For: Thick vegetation, lily pads, matted grass, and heavy cover.
• Advantages: Weedless design lets you fish in places other lures can’t reach.
• Retrieve Styles: Walk-the-dog, steady crawl, or stop-and-go pauses.
• Key Tip: Slight twitches of the rod tip help create subtle walking action.

2. Hollowbody Popping Frogs

Popping frogs are a variation of the hollowbody frog with a cupped mouth that splashes and pops on the surface. This creates extra noise and water disturbance, making them deadly in certain conditions.

• Best For: Open water near cover, sparse vegetation, and cloudy or low-light conditions.
• Advantages: Draws fish from greater distances with sound and surface commotion.
• Retrieve Styles: Short, sharp pops with pauses; walk-and-pop combination.
• Key Tip: Excellent for targeting aggressive fish or covering water quickly.

3. Soft Body Frogs

Soft body frogs are made from a solid, flexible plastic (often with kicking legs) rather than a hollow collapsible body. They’re typically rigged with a single hook (often Texas-rig style) and work best when retrieved at a steady pace.

• Best For: Open water, sparse grass, and skipping under overhanging trees or docks.
• Advantages: Realistic swimming action, can be burned across the surface to trigger reaction strikes.
• Retrieve Styles: Straight retrieve with leg kick, burn-and-stop, or slow crawl.
• Key Tip: Ideal for covering large areas and imitating a fleeing frog or baitfish.

Best Rod Length and Action for Topwater Frogs

Frog fishing demands a rod that provides both power and control. The rod needs to drive large hooks into a fish’s mouth and pull them from heavy cover without bending out.

• Length: 7’0”–7’6”
  Longer rods help with casting distance and leverage for hooksets, while still allowing accurate casts into tight spots.

• Action: Heavy Power / Fast Action
  Heavy power provides the backbone needed for strong hook penetration and hauling fish through weeds. Fast action means most of the bend is in the tip, giving precise lure control and quick response on hooksets.

• Why This Matters: A frog bite often requires a slight delay before setting the hook—waiting until you feel the fish’s weight ensures the body collapses and hooks engage.

Best Reel Speed for Topwater Frogs

A high-speed baitcasting reel is the best choice for frog fishing.

• Gear Ratio: 7.1:1 to 8.3:1
  High-speed reels quickly take up slack and pull fish out of cover before they can bury themselves in vegetation.

• Why High-Speed Helps:
  Frog strikes often happen at long distances or near heavy cover. A fast reel helps recover line quickly after a missed strike and makes repeated casts more efficient.

Best Line for Topwater Frogs

Line choice is critical for frog fishing—both for lure performance and fish landing success.

• Type: Braided Line tied direct to the lure for hollowbodies or braid with a mono leader for softbody frogs.

• Strength: 50–65 lb test for hollowbodies, while 15-30 lb is good enough for softbody frogs.

• Reason: Braid cuts through vegetation, has zero stretch for solid hooksets, and floats, keeping the frog on the surface.

• Color Tip: In heavy vegetation, use darker braid (green or black) for better camouflage.

Chart: Common Brand Name Frogs and Their Typical Use

Tips for Fishing Topwater Frogs

1. Wait Before the Hookset: When a fish blows up on your frog, resist the urge to immediately set the hook. Wait until you feel the weight of the fish, then drive the hooks home.
2. Work the Lure with the Rod Tip: Use wrist twitches, not the reel handle, to create lifelike action.
3. Vary Your Retrieve: Sometimes a steady walk works, other times a pop-pause-pause rhythm triggers bites.
4. Target Shade and Edges: Early morning, late evening, or overcast days are prime times—especially near shaded weed edges.