Kermit Crushin’: Utilizing the Frog to Maximize Potential with Ish Monroe
A frequent favorite but rarely mastered, frog fishing is one of the most exhilarating methods to largemouth bass. Especially in the summer months, frogging can play a big role that often gets the credit for some of the biggest and best bites of the open water season. This article take a deep dive on the surface approach behind the essential tools, points to consider, effective techniques, and key considerations to maximize the efficiency and success.
Big smiles for BIG bass!
Ish Monroe is no stranger to the world of bassin. His professional fishing resume dates back over twenty-six years across multiple circuits, such the Bassmaster Elite Series, Major League Fishing/FLW, Bass Angler Magazine (BAM) Tournament Trail, and Western Outdoor News (WON) Tournament Trail. Throughout his career, he has won over two million dollars and has earned a reputation for being one of the greatest frog anglers of all time.
“The one thing a lot of anglers have misconceptions about when frog fishing is that the bait only resembles a frog. They also imitate baitfish, crawfish, rodents, or even birds scurrying on the surface. That is why there are so many different colors available.” - Ish Monroe
When it comes to a what makes the frog unique compared to any other bait is the presentation and delivery on the top of the water column. They can be fished from the stained water with the heaviest, sloppiest vegetation on the lake, to offshore, clear water instances. When fishing with a frog, keep in mind that they don’t simply belong on one type of spot on the lake. Whether it be targeting bass that are keyed in on schooling baitfish, crawfish in weeds, flooded circumstances that might have small rodens frog belongs anywhere a bass could live because they entice as a feeding opportunity on the surface.
The Tools- your equipment is critical to being a great frog angler.
A 7’ to 8’ heavy power rod with a fast action tip is ideal. Often times an angler will find themselves in situations where they have to pull and pry on these fish to get them out of cover to land them successfully. Utilizing a crowbar-esq rod will drive the hooks effectively and deliver the power to apply pressure and lever them in. This is especially true when frogging around instances where a bass could wrap itself around timber or when they bog themselves into cover and a large mass of vegetation is reeled in. If you have never used a heavy rod and it appears to be too stiff, do not be afraid! There will be a time where you will be thankful to have the extra power.
Pair your rod with a high-speed baitcasting reel to quickly retrieve slack line and improve hook sets. A reel in a 7:1 gear ratio is perfect. Not only is it not too fast or too slow, but reels fitted with this speed deliver significant drag that is crucial. Anything slower, like a 5:1 would be inadequate to catching up fast enough to a fish that could be swimming in any direction. A faster reel, like a 9:1, might seem great when it comes to speed, but fails when it comes to offering initial drag power to turn the fish and bring them in. Monroe compares selecting the proper gear ratio to riding a mountain bike. “If you were riding a bike up hill, you would want it in a lower gear to maintain consistent power. If you were to go uphill in a higher gear, you would have to over-pedal and work harder. The same goes for your fishing reels, which is why a 7:1 ratio is ideal for frogging situations.”
Having the proper equipment is very important to the success and confidence with frog fishing. You need the proper tools to get the job done, especially in heavy cover!
Braided line is a must for frog fishing. While monofilament stretches and fluorocarbon sinks and stretches, both are poor choices for this application due to hindered action and inadequate hookset abilities. As Monroe states, “you want to be prepared and not bring a knife to a gun fight.” The no-stretch properties and high strength of braid allows anglers to tow the bass out of the cover, ensure solid hook sets, and withstand the stress and abrasion. At 50 to 65-pound test braid is commonly used to handle aggressive bass and the rough conditions of frog fishing environments. Anything less can be worn down and beat up easily. This is why it is very important in general to pay attention to your line and inspect for weak points and frays. While braid is strong, it can get nicked up and damaged when worked hard against structure like docks and timber. Line heavier than 65Lb hinders castability and becomes unnecessary.
Ish’s Phat Mat Daddy Frog was desgined with the angler and froggin scenarios in mind. (Leopard Frog pattern)
The tackle market is loaded hollow-bodied frog options. Monroe designed the River2Sea Phat Mat Daddy Frog with consideration and thoughtfulness from his experience on the water. This model was designed around the hooks positioned on top of the bait to penetrate upwards effectively into the roof of the bass’s mouth. With life-like rubber skirted legs, a soft body, and a sleeve on the hook to prevent it from becoming water-logged, Ish’s Phat Mat Daddy Frog is one of the best to have in the arsenal. Other popular models include the Booyah Pad Crasher, the Berkley Swamp Lord, and the Spro Bronzeye Frog to name a few. These frogs come in various sizes and colors, suitable for different water conditions and feeding scenarios.
(Left to right) The Booyah Pad Crasher, Berkley Swamp Lord (poppin model pictured), and Spro Bronzeye Frog, are popular models found in the tackle arresnal of many.
The Means and Method
Frog fishing shines in areas with dense vegetation, such as lily pads, hydrilla, and reeds. These locations provide cover for bass and mimic the natural habitat of frogs. Target areas with visible signs of bass activity, such as swirls, splashes, or fleeing baitfish. Shallow water near the shorelines or flats is prime frog fishing territory. Bass often hunt in these areas during early morning and late evening when light levels are low, and the water is cooler.
A lot of cover for a bass to relate to can appear to be enticing to the eye of an angler, but finding subtle differences or pieces that stick out. Look for subtle differences, whether it be drains, pockets, or objects. Because Bass often use these as ambush points, frogs can effectively draw them out for a strike. When an angler can focus around structure like logs, docks, and submerged timber, high-potential spots can be identified quicker out of what can be acres of good-looking stuff. Really having an understanding for the habitat is win-win. Not only will it be a good day on the water, it will maximize efficiency to eliminate a lot of area by knowing what to look for.
The art of walking the frog has a lot to do with having a faster tip on the rod being used. A rod that is too stiff at the tip will create a pulling effect on the bait, causing it not to run correctly. Twitch your rod tip with short, sharp movements at the 5 to 7 o’clock position while reeling in the slack. This enables the frog to zigzag across the surface in open water, mimicking distressed prey to trigger a strikes. When initiating a hookset, swing the rod vertical to the 11-1 o’clock position- not to the side. Hooks on a frog are on the top of the bait and they need it be slung upward to pin the roof of the fish’s mouth.
Popping frogs with cupped lips are designed to chug or spit water when retrieved. These types of frogs shine bright when there are situations with wind, stained/muddy water, or wavey on the water. If being fished slowly, a popping frog can be effective at calling in fish and enticing a strike. The sound produced by the cupped-lip mimics baitfish feeding on the surface. While a standard walking frog is ideal for fishing around vegetation and cover, a popping model is ideal in open water scenarios. If they are used in cover, the cupped lip can get fouled up with plant matter and run ineffectively.
The retrieve and rhythm can be adjusted accordingly depending on the activity of the bass. Monroe shares that “When it comes to finding the cadence, let the fish tell you what they want. Generally, the bigger fish will come when it is worked slower. Big fish don’t like to chase. You will get more strikes of smaller fish when fishing fast, while going slower produces fewer quantity but increased quality.”
Frog fishing requires precision and skill. Practice your casting accuracy and retrieve techniques to improve your success rate. The more proficient you become, the more effectively you can target bass in challenging conditions. Skipping the frog under overhanging trees, docks, or into tight spots is a valuable skill. Use a sidearm cast to deliver the frog across the water, reaching otherwise inaccessible areas where bass may be hiding. Some of the biggest largemouth bass will be sitting in hard-to-reach areas, waiting to ambush whatever comes by. Having the confidence to catch a fish in locations like these takes practice and commitment but will pay off sooner or later. Anywhere a frog can go is where a bass can be- even as shallow as one foot of water. “If I know there is a fish hanging out in a spot, I will make 10 to 15 casts and even change colors if needed to get them to bite.”- Ish Monroe
Hookset- crank- BOAT FLIP! Don’t play these fish. Bring them in!
The hookset itself is incredibly important. There are several critical components that make the difference between getting blow-ups and putting fish in the boat. Monroe recommends to 1.) NEVER stop turning the handle and 2.) keep the rod pointed upwards. The method calls for putting the fish in the boat as quick as possible. By consistently keeping the reel going, zero slack is allowed and the fish is less likely to get off. Keeping the rod pointed upwards in an 11 to 1 o’clock position keeps the hooks upward and the fish on the line. If the rod is positioned down or to the side, the bass will be able to dive down and throw the hook easier. Froggin is not an approach for the fight of the fish, like in a finesse situation. It is the exact opposite. Strike-hookset- reel-put it in the boat. If you’re fishing buddy is not ready with the net, keep crankin and finish with a boat flip. Knowing your equipment is key when setting the hook in frog fishing. Wait until you feel the weight of the fish before setting the hook with a strong upward motion. This ensures the bass has fully taken the frog into its mouth. If not considered, it can be easy to over reel and pull the bait out of the fishes mouth at the initial swing of the hook set action.
Color doesn’t have to be complicated
The bass is going to be looking up at the bottom of the bait. There is no reason to over complicate color selection. Monroe keeps this in practice by keeping it simple with three options.
1.) Lighter colors (white, chartreuse, natural frog patterns, etc.) in clear water, mid-day, bright and sunny conditions.
2.) Darker colors (black, brown, etc.) in the early morning or later afternoon, overcast/cloudy conditions, or in darker stained water.
3.) A color pattern that resembles a bluegill or other baitfish when the bass are dialed in on schooling prey. Classic match the hatch!
While the summer months can be seen as an exclusive season for the frog, nothing can be further from the truth. Monroe shares that he begins frogging in the spring when the water temperature begins to sustain into the mid to upper 50’s and will keep one tied on well into the cooler months of autumn. Even in places like across the northland, a frog can be in the bait rotation into early November when bass are on the pre-winter-feeding frenzy.
Frog fishing for largemouth bass combines excitement, skill, and strategy. The last piece of advice to being a better frog angler that Monroe had to share was to commit to it and keep throwing it. It might sound rudimentary, but confidence will build over time and so will understanding your equipment better by getting a feel for it. With the right tools, knowledge of prime locations, effective techniques, and consideration of conditions and colors, you can enjoy productive and thrilling fishing experiences. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, frog fishing offers an engaging way to connect with nature and enjoy the sport of bass fishing.
It is with tremendous gratitude to Mr. Ish Monroe for his contributions to this article. Please consider following him on his social media platforms as he continues to be a competitive force across several tournament trails. Check out the recommended tackle and tools to frogging by him and the editor.
