It is the dead middle of summer - days are spiking over the 100-degree mark, the sun is out, the water temp is up and the mats are a full of fish. This time of year is always associated with the big bass frog bite. To help keep WesternBass readers catching those frog fish, we checked in on some of the West’s pros and asked them for their top-5 frog tips. Each has their own favorite frog and as you will see sometimes their frog tactics agree and other times their ideas totally differ.
JARED LINTNER - JACKALL IOBEE
Photo by Jody Only
lintner’s frog of choice is the newly released Jackall ioBee. “it doesn’t need any changes, it is ready to fish and the best walkin’ frog there is.” stated lintner. trim the legs. This frog is ready to go; but sometimes there are circumstances where you need a smaller presentation - like when you’re in clear water or just need a more finesse approach - this is when i trim the legs. Frogs aren’t only good for the summer. Most people fish frogs when the cheese comes up; me- i will fish them even as early as Feb. and into nov. i won a tournament on Santa Margarita lake on nov. 2nd with a frog. i stick with a black color in the early and late months of the year. Use the right rod. i was guilty of this myself; i was using the typical broomstick rod to fish for frogs, like many of us did. i have found a 7-ft or 7 1/2-ft at maximum is ideal. it will keep your casts more accurate and allows you to walk or hop the frog so much easier than a real heavy, 8-ft rod. a 7-ft heavy action rod with a quick tip is what you want. always use braid. in all circumstances- even in gin clear water - use braided line, never mono or fluoro. i like 50- to 65-lb braid. it is easier to skip the bait and easier to horse a big one in. Stay in position to set the hook. i see a lot of people try to hook a frog fish and they do it wrong. You want to keep your rod tip pointed at the frog. When the fish eats you’ve got to be ready to pull up that slack. i do a combo side sweep and straight up hook set. residing in Central Calif., lintner began his tenure on the Bassmaster elite Series trail in 2005. His credits in B.a.S.S. include a championship on Clear lake, 11 top-10 finishes, three Classic qualifications and earnings that top $600,000.
Jared Lintner with a Jackall IOBee.
Issue 4
August 2012
21
Only Photo by Jody