Oac, Oac, diri-diri-dam, pike frog fishing
I know frog pike fishing can seem like a difficult subject if you haven't tried it or tried it and given it up. You missed it, didn't you? The question is actually different. What do you do when summer sets in and leaves you with no open water to display your favorite pike lures? You look in wonder at the frogs walking quietly in the overgrown places, exactly where you want to cast, you try to reach the little eye of water left free, but with each cast your lure returns inert with fir on the hooks. Frustrating right?
When to try pike frog fishing…
Even if the old people say that the best time for pike fishing is when your hand is freezing on the rod, I for one had the best games on the hottest summer days fixed in the most inaccessible places invaded by vegetation. And not in the morning or evening, as you might think, but right in the middle of the day with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius. Well, to be completely honest, the miracle did not last more than an hour or two, but the pike were very active and the big ones I always extracted from the most inaccessible areas for lure fishing.
How many frogs do you need for pike fishing?
There are two main types of artificial frogs for pike fishing. The first type is made of a special plastic (silicone) that floats and is reinforced with an offset hook. This type of frog has an appendage that mimics frog legs and adds realism to movement. The second type is a hollow frog imitation made of plastic or rubber, reinforced with a double anchor facing upwards. When the pike grabs the frog, the body of the lure compresses and exposes the anchor/hook. Both variants are designed to move over vegetation on the surface of the water, imitating a real frog, without tripping over obstacles. There are other hard topwater wobbler models, but that's another story without vegetation.
Where to try pike frog fishing
And on gulches and canals and ponds, not only in the Danube Delta, wherever any other lure returns full of grass and no fish. Only on the surface? Not. And above and between the waters and on the bottom of the water. More precisely, in the film the frog walks with small jerks (hop-hop-diri-diri-dam) on the blanket of vegetation with small stops in the open water holes. Attacks will occur on stops or as soon as the frog crosses the vegetation barrier, in open water. It is possible for the pike to attack explosively at any moment, there are no precise rules in fishing. Between waters or on the substrate, he still fishes with jerks (pumps), but wider, as in fishing with glider-type wobblers, with silicone or plastic frogs. You can submerge the plastic ones by filling them with water, some have holes for that, give those that don't have a peg with the tip of the hook. You can weld them back with the lighter flame.
What rod to use in pike frog fishing
The pike frog fishing technique was borrowed from the Americans, frogging (frog fishing) is the name of the game and was invented for bass fishing in vegetation. The principles are pretty much the same with the pike, only it has more and sharper teeth. Even though most professional anglers recommend extra fast rods up to 2 meters long and the niche market has no shortage of specialized rods for this type of fishing, I use longer rods (2.3-2.4m) to cast further , rods with enough power reserve on the heel to stab firmly and be able to better string a large pike in the vegetation. About this kind of rods all around I wrote here, also cast an eye.
What reel to use in pike frog fishing
Minimum 3000 with high line holding capacity and force gears, with a micrometric brake that you can tighten to the maximum and loosen quickly if you still feel the need to give some line to a more dressed pike. However, it would be better not to give it a single thought. It's a "car-car" fishing, once you've hooked, you don't give in under any circumstances, you pump and reel, any meter gained by the pike in the vegetation against you can leave you with a swollen frog.
What line to use in frog fishing for pike
Clear textile. And more clearly thick. How thick? I would say at least 0.25mm, even 0.28mm, if you use baitcasting rods you can go even higher, 0.40mm or even 0.50mm. It is also called odgon. Why so thick? One for the fight above, two because it nibbles on the vegetation above and it's good to have some where, three because a thicker thread will keep the frog in suspension, both on the surface and in the water or on the substrate. The color doesn't matter, green, yellow, red, orange, what matters is that you see the thread, if you want.
What line to use in pike frog fishing
Since it is a pike, not a bass, implicitly teeth, the string is absolutely necessary. On casting gear you can try fishing with a straight, thick line of monofilament or fluorocarbon, but you won't reach who knows what distances no matter how skilled you are. Going back to textile and spinning, if you use restrain metallic choose the ones woven in several threads or of fluorocarbon, which cuts the water harder, so as not to influence (submerge) the evolution of the frog. As an extra tip, use thick monofilament string (0.70-0.80mm), monofilament does not sink and is much cheaper than its heavier brother fluorocarbon.
Frog fishing tips for pike
After you've chosen the optimal rod for your fishing style, the length doesn't really matter, you've also chosen the line, the thickness matters, don't forget to tighten the reel brake to the maximum. Arm yourself with iron patience and don't sting as soon as the pike has caught your frog, give it time, a few seconds, raise the rod until you feel it load and take a bit of your hand, then sting as if it were the last fish you catch in your life. If it escapes in the respite you gave it, it basically drops the frog out of its mouth, you can catch it on the next release, that is if you haven't already stung it. Or on the second or third release. If you panic and jab quickly just as he attacked, you're left with the bloated frog.
Pins, briceps and cariceps, without fail
With the plastic frogs, the ones with double hook, with the help of a patent, open the angle of the hooks to the outside more, it will decrease your miss rate. Yes, it is fishing with many misses. Hence the beauty of this style, it keeps you active all day, it's like a game with a cat and a ball of yarn, instead the adrenaline is at its highest. If you don't fish right in the middle of the vegetation, but there are big ones, for more success you can use trailer hooks that attach to frog hooks, either silicone or plastic. To the silicone ones offset hook can be positioned with the tip hidden or exposed on the back, does not require trailer hooks.
Pike and frogs be it, because we can buy the lures
Okay, okay, I've convinced you to go pike frog fishing, but you're out of luck. Now who are we voting with? Meaning that LATCHES to buy I'm going to leave you here some models that have confirmed over time that they are "the right thing" (fishery expression abused lately meaning that they are good). You can buy from wherever you want and from other manufacturers, the offer of specialty stores being as generous as the croaking of frogs in a summer show in the Danube Delta. I say that Arrow it catches both you and the frog and the pike well.
DAIWA PROREX MICRO FROG 3.5CM – the small frog overturns the big pike
Manufacturer code: DAIWA FD15403.001
This micro-frog has a body of only 3.5 cm and is specially designed for perch or avat. Thanks to the floating body, the Prorex Micro Frod lure can evolve on the surface with short movements, accurately imitating a real frog. The ends of the legs are original Duckfin tails that provide natural movement and increased appeal. The special rubber from which the lure is made is very elastic and flexible, thus allowing many catches without suffering major damage. It is an exceptional lure for large specimens!
Specifications:
Lure type: soft
Trick Model: Creature
Length: 3.5cm
Packaging: 1 pc./bag
DAIWA D-FROG – Walk the frog
Manufacturer code: DAIWA D.15605.106
During the summer, frogs are easy prey for pike, catfish and whiting. The new D-FROG can be easily caught on the surface if the Walk The Dog technique is used for it. The special inner-tunnel-construction prevents water from entering the body past the hook. The strong double anchor is integrated into the body to allow a smooth presentation in vegetated areas without frequent snags.
Specifications:
Lure type: soft
Trick Model: Creature
Length: 6cm
Green colour
Weight: 17g
SAVAGE GEAR 3D WALK/POP FROG – I have a Savage, yeah, walk and pop
Manufacturer code: SAVAGE GEAR F1.SG.62026
Superb details and realistic profile. Silicone skirt legs. Made in 2 models, Walk, which goes over the surface of the vegetation and Pop Frog, which makes a deep plopping sound with a strong attraction effect. Both models are made on ultra-sharp double hooks and with a removable hook! Superb for bass and pike!
Scanned details
Great action on retrieve or popping
Soft PVC body with durable silicone skirt legs
Ultra sharp double hooks
Specifications:
Charm Type: Creature
Lure model: Top-water
Length: 5.5cm/7cm
Weight: 14g/20g
SAVAGE GEAR HOP POPPER FROG – Hop, Hop, pop, till we drop
Manufacturer code: SAVAGE GEAR F1.SG.77441
A frog that can be acted upon immediately, effortlessly, or emerges through cover. Whether it's overgrown vegetation, surface obstructions or imminent surface danger, the Hop Popper is ready to dislodge predators from their habitat.
Premium hand painted details
Frog hook with wide opening
Hook tip facing up for increased hook rate
Effortless retrieval and popping action
Premium rubber skirt
Specifications:
Troll Type: Creature
Lure model: Floating
Length: 5.5cm
Weight: 15.0g
JACKALL GAVACHO FROG – Do Japanese frogs taste different?
Manufacturer code: JACKALL JA.807166323
The GAVACHO series was a fusion of live action and appeal. Baitfish wanting to escape at one point and/or insects struggling at the surface of the water at another. A dimensional fusion of the various elements to which the bass reacts.
The range includes the GAVACHO FROG, which has established itself as an easy-to-use and very efficient "fishing" frog, and the SPIN GAVACHO, a smaller model more specialized for difficult situations. It covers everything from heavy fishing to finesse fishing.
The unique cup design creates fine attack-inducing water droplets while allowing a quick return of the water film with a reduced travel distance. Equipped with silicone skirt.
A three-head setting has been adopted which highlights the silicone skirt which has a strong appeal and suppresses the unnecessary movement distance in three directions. It acts as a brake to suppress sway and shorten the travel distance during activation and deactivation.
The original hook contributes to initial engagement during stabbing and improved penetration performance. In addition, the hook is housed in a three-dimensional body shape, achieving a perfect balance between hook rate and connection rate.
There are two sizes available, a 69mm / 16.0g original size and a 46mm / 6.2g spin size. It supports a wide range of techniques from heavy to fine rotary triggered techniques.
Specifications:
Troll Type: Creature
Lure model: Floating
Length: 4.6cm/6.9cm
Weight: 6.2g/16g
LIVE TARGET HOLLOW BODY FROG
Manufacturer code: LIVE TARGET LT.FGH45T519
The Hollow Body Frog has all the attributes of a lure that catches big fish; anatomy, detailed color and easy operation taking the pleasure of topwater fishing to a whole new level. On presentation, the soft body of the lure tightens easily and the double hook bites without difficulty. Ideally used in areas with heavy surface vegetation, the design allows anglers to cast into difficult areas. Go where other top water lures aren't effective.
Specifications:
Lure Type: Hollow Body
Lure model: Floating
Length: 4.5cm/5.5cm/6.5cm
Weight: 7g/18g/21g
LIVE TARGET FREESTYLE FROG – FrogFunk MC's freestyler
Manufacturer code: LIVE TARGET F1.LT.FSF75T512
The Injected Core Technology (ICT) developed by LIVETARGET, creates an extremely versatile soft lure that is effective both on the surface of the water and between layers. The Inner-Core features a lifelike profile, while the Exo-Skin covering, with vertical V-shaped legs, gives the frog the tempting action that draws predators to the surface.
Specifications:
Lure Type: Soft
Trick Model: Creature
Length: 7.5cm/9cm
Packaging: 2 pcs./bag