Fall Frog Fishing: Small Frogs Get More Bites

Frog fishing is a fun way to catch bass before Winter. As the water cools, bass ambush small minnows in the shallows around the last remnants of grass. The Frog is a great baitfish imitator and one of the last topwater bites of the year. If you don't have snow on the ground, give the frog one last shot to wrap up the topwater season before Winter sets in.

This time of year, smaller frogs can be the difference between a tough bite and a day to remember. Smaller frogs perfectly mimic the small baitfish in the shallows. They elicit strikes when few baits will and typically have an excellent hookup ratio. Focus on ghost and glitter colors in cleaner water and bolder colors in murky water. 

Of course, you'll have to adapt your equipment to throw these smaller offerings. You'll still need a stout rod to set the double frog hook but it doesn't need to be nearly as strong as the rod you'd use for their larger cousins. Below you'll find links to the gear Tim was using today along with a list of our favorite small frogs for different situations. We've also included our favorite frog combo, small frog rod, and budget option. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Today's Bait... 

-Jackall Kaera (Glitter Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Small Frogs... 

-Best All Around: Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Favorite Colors: Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

-Best Walking: Spro Bronzeye Frog Jr: http://bit.ly/2XkbgxR

Favorite Colors: Killer Gill, Nasty Shad

-Best In Slop: R2S Bully Wa 55: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Favorite Colors: Bluegill, Little Allen

-Best Popping Frog: Spro Poppin Frog 60: http://bit.ly/2HsyqIJ

Favorite Colors: Speck, Killer Gill

Favorite Frog Combo... 

Rod- Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

LIne- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Tim's Combo Today... 

Rod- Dobyns Xtasy 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC HG: http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

Line- Power Pro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Small Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado DC 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Budget Small Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'4" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Power Pro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

We Made It To Chickamauga! Topwater Bite Is On Fire!

We're finally on Chickamauga in Tennessee! We survived the cross country road trip and now its time to fish! We're starting out in search of a midday topwater bite and will adapt from there. Do that patterns that work on one side of the country work on the other? Let's find out if the Clearlake pattern holds up!

Matt is joined by his nephew Ethan and together they mix up a variety of topwater offerings including a blade waker, buzzbait, walking bait, popper, and frog. It doesn't take long to find aggressive bass willing to eat them all! Later Matt switches to a Keitech while Ethan switches to a chatterbait, and again they find consistent action. This further confirms the old adage "A Bass Is A Bass" no matter where it lives. 

So many anglers are convinced their fish are different, that they won't eat a particular bait or won't follow seasonal patterns like bass in other parts of the country. While a rare example might exist, the vast majority of fish from coast to coast behave very Similarly. Its incredibly rewarding to drive thousands of miles (literally) and find bass eating the exact baits you were throwing before hitting the road. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits in the video. We've included direct links to Tackle Warehouse for each item where you can see detailed photos and descriptions. We've also included trailers, color, weights, etc... where applicable. 

Teckel Topwater... 

Bait- Teckel Blade Waker: https://bit.ly/2DuYZxU

Colors: Pearl White, Silver Shiner, Bluegill

Trailer: Gambler Little EZ Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3jmeYgM

Colors: Alewife, Ghost Shad

Other Topwaters... 

Popper- Megabass Pop Max (Mat Shad): http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Walking Bait- Evergreen Shower Blows 125 (Half Mirror): http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Buzzbait- Dirty Jigs Skirtless (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2cWI6if

Small Frog- Jackall Kaera (Glitter Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Large Frog- River2Sea Bully Wa 65 (Little Allen): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Swimbaits... 

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Keitech- 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Rage- 4.75" Rage Swimmer (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Chatterbait... 

Bait- Evergreen JackHammer 1/2 oz (Green Pumpkin Shad): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Trailer- Hog Farmer Spunk Shad 4.5" (Crystal Shad): http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Blade Waker Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Xtasy 7'5" MH: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

Reel- Shimano Metanium 150 MGL XG: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Keitech Combo... 

Rod- Jackall Poison Adrena 7'4" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3diigiT

Reel- Shimano Metanium 150 MGL HG: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Fluorocarbon 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Popper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Curado 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Reel-Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Buzzbaits and Frogs! Summer Bass Fishing On Clearlake!

After months on the road we're finally back on Clearlake! Come along as we explore the lake, build patterns, and catch fish! Matt utilizes a buzzbait, frog, and toad to catch a fish in the grass on a hot Summer day. Many anglers avoid fishing in the heat but if you know where to look there are big fish to be caught!

Catching fish consistently in Summer requires an understanding of how and why they position. Shallow water bass love to be close to cover. A consistent food source is also key. In most lakes, if you can find baitfish and grass in the same area, you're around bass. This morning Matt hit the water at first light. He already knew where to find grass but the baitfish remained a mystery. By getting out early he was able to quickly locate active birds searching for a meal. 

It took time to get the first bite but the bird activity confirmed the presence of baitfish and ultimately the presence of bass. Whenever you're on the water pay close attention to nature, it's clues can really shorten your search time. Once Matt located fish he used a combination of baits to get consistent bites from bass that were positioned to ambush prey as it passed by the grass beds. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment Matt used to catch his fish. We've included color recommendations for the various baits, the exact combos Matt was fishing with, and even a budget-minded alternative. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

The Baits... 

-Skirtless Buzzbait- Dirty Jigs Canterbury Pro Buzz 1/2 oz (Blue Glimmer): http://bit.ly/2cWI6if

Trailer- River2Sea D Walker Swimbait 120 (PB Red): http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-4 Blade Buzzbait- D&M Easy Roller Buzz (Night Stalker): https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

-Frog- River2Sea Bully Wa 2: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Colors: Dirty White, Ghost, Little Allen, TW Gill

-Big Bite Baits Tour Toad: http://bit.ly/2NtAghc

Colors: Hematoma, Pearl Shine

Hook- Owner 6/0 Twist Lock Open Gap: http://bit.ly/2cYZ3rM

Matt's Buzzbait Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Xtasy 7'5" 5 Power (Heavy): http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC XG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Matt's Frog Combo...

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Budget Buzzbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Power Pro 50 lb Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Budget Frog Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 736 (7'3" Mag Heavy): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Power Pro 65 lb Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Summer Fishing Tricks: Early Morning Bite (Whopper plopper and Crankbait)

No one likes getting up early but in Summer, its worth it! Midday the lake can feel like a Dead Sea if you don't know where to look but in the morning, everything is alive! Come along with Matt on the Tennessee River as he explores new water and builds a morning pattern with a whopper plopper, lipless crankbait, and wobble head (swing head jig).

Most anglers fish a whopper plopper on a slow, steady retrieve. Most of the time we do too, but there is a time and place for the popping method and today it paid off with 2 nice bites. After the topwater bite slowed Matt turned to a lipless and ultimately a swinging jig to continue catching fish. 

The morning bite window is incredibly easy but is also very short. Its imperative that you get on the water at first light and if you're not prepared to begin shadow fishing and targeting offshore fish, expect the bite to be done before 9 AM. Below we've included links to all the gear Matt used in today's video. We included the exact colors as well as recommendations on some of our other favorites. 

Hard Baits... 

-Whopper Plopper 110 Topwater (Bone): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Other Favorites- Loon, Munky Butt

-TN70 Lipless Crank (RT Scale Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Other Favorites- Super Shad, Ghost Minnow

Swing Head Jig... 

Jighead- Swing Head Football 3/4 oz 4/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

First Bait- Keitech Crazy Flapper 4.4 (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2c3cXrp

Second Bait- Zoom Z Craw (Junebug): http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

Matt's Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado DC 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Matt's Swing Head Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Braid- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G