Why Frog Baits Work So Well for Bass

And Why the FishLab Rattle Toad Pro Should Be in Your Box

When it comes to triggering explosive surface strikes, few lures deliver the rush and effectiveness of a frog bait. Whether you’re picking apart matted vegetation, skipping under overhangs, or fishing skinny water where predators patrol, frog baits offer unmatched realism, weedless performance, and strike-inducing action that bass simply cannot ignore.

But why exactly do frog baits work so well? Let’s break it down.

Why Bass Attack Frogs

1. Frogs are a Natural, High-Value Meal

Across ponds, lakes, and rivers, frogs are part of a bass’ natural diet. They’re protein-packed, slow-moving, and often vulnerable when traversing vegetation or open water. Bass quickly learn that a frog on the surface is an easy calorie-rich target.

2. They Trigger a Predatory Reaction

The silhouette of a frog gliding or kicking across the surface sends strong visual cues to bass below. Combined with the trademark surface disturbance, frog baits activate instincts that drive fish to strike even when they’re not actively feeding.

3. Frog Baits Access "Protected" Water

Bass hide and feed in thick vegetation. Traditional topwater baits get hung up, but frogs travel smoothly over:

• Lily pads

• Mats of grass

• Tules and reeds

• Hydrilla and milfoil

• Timber and floating debris

Weedless frog designs allow anglers to reach fish that other lures simply cannot touch.

4. They Produce Big-Fish Strikes

Frog fishing is notorious for producing quality over quantity. Larger bass often dominate thick cover and are the first to explode upward at an intruding frog. When you hear that telltale blow-up, you know you’re dealing with a mature predator.

Types of Frog Baits

Not all frog baits fish the same. Here are the main categories and where each one shines.

1. Hollow-Body Frogs

Great for fishing through surface cover, hollow-body frogs collapse on the strike, exposing the hooks for strong hookups. They glide and walk, making them ideal for open pockets in vegetation. The FishLab Rattle Toad Pro is a great example of this style bait. 

2. Walking Frogs

These baits are designed for smooth side-to-side motion. They excel around sparse cover, over lanes in grass, or when bass want a subtle topwater presentation.

3. Popping Frogs

With a cupped mouth that spits and gurgles, popping frogs create surface commotion. Use them when you want more noise, when visibility is low, or when bass are feeding aggressively.

4. Creature-Style or Hybrid Frogs

These mimic frogs but often incorporate additional appendages, vibrations, or body shapes to create unique movement and sound.

And that’s where the FishLab Nature Series Topwater Frog shines.

The FishLab Rattle Toad Pro: A Frog Built to Get Bit

The FishLab Rattle Toad Pro takes everything anglers love about frog fishing and turns it up a notch.

Key Features

✔ External Rattle System
Creates subtle sound that draws bass out of cover without sounding unnatural. This external rattle chamber sits between the frogs legs, out of the way, and creates a ton of noise. 

✔ Perfectly Balanced Body
Walks effortlessly or chugs depending on your retrieve.

✔ Premium Hooks & Soft Body
Compresses easily for strong hooksets while remaining durable through multiple fish. The hooks are bound together to reduce twisting. 

✔ Realistic Frog Profile
Meticulously designed finishes and details that mimic the real thing.

Where It Excels

• Mat fishing

• Open-water walking

• Skipping docks

• Fishing around reeds

• Targeting pressured bass that need a little extra persuasion

The Rattle Toad Pro is built for versatility, making it a must-have tool whether you're fishing heavy vegetation or searching for topwater bites in scattered cover.

How to Fish Frog Baits Effectively

1. Work the Edges

Cast along transition lines where vegetation meets open water. Bass often wait on the edges for ambush opportunities.

2. Pause in the Pockets

Let the frog sit. Many strikes occur the instant the bait starts moving again.

3. Walk It Slow

A slow, rhythmic walk gives bass time to track and strike, especially in calm water.

4. Use Heavy Gear

A strong hookset and ability to pull fish out of cover is key. Heavy braid and a stout rod are preferred for most frog applications.  A rod of choice is a 7'3" Heavy Action rod. 

5. Don’t Set the Hook Too Early

Wait for weight!  Once the fish pulls down and loads your rod, then deliver a firm hookset.

Final Thoughts

Frog baits are a bass angler’s secret weapon for provoking the kind of violent surface strikes that keep us coming back. Their natural profile, weedless functionality, and ability to target trophy fish in thick cover make them indispensable.

If you want a frog that produces consistent blow-ups in a variety of conditions, the FishLab Rattle Toad Pro deserves a permanent spot in your tackle box.

Get ready. Cast long. Brace for impact.

 

Check out the full lineup of FishLab baits at FishLabTackle.com