Big Foot Toad

[Jason]

I took it down to the creek to watch it swim, if I reeled fast enough for the legs to kick, the bait turned on it's left side(underwater). I slowed down the retrieve but the legs quit kicking and the bait didn't roll. It did fine on top of the water. I was using the bait keeper and the 28 degree hook 5.0 ewg. Any suggestions Jason?

1) Top Water Buzz Frog: rig like any other buzz frog and fish on top.  Only drawback in this area is extreme surface vegetation (the Croaker will come through this cleaner).

This is how you had it rigged and how you reported it fishing well.

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If you want to fish it as a Swim Toad you need to make changes (here are a couple possibilities I use - you may like something different):

4) Swim Toad: I normally use 1/4 oz worm weight because it is still light enough to work on top, but also heavy enough to work subsurface.  This is my favorite way to fish it because it gets totally jacked on the strike, and my hookup ratio is really high.  Think of this technique like a swim jig.  You can work it so many ways under water, just let the fish tell you what they want.

a) Constant retrieve (fast or slow), maybe drop your tip from time to time.  Just like a Swim Bait.

b) Retrieve / Pause:  Reel a few cranks and let it die and just sit there for a few seconds.  PAY ATTENTION - if there is a fish around you will get bit on a regular basis when it is just sitting there.  This technique obviously is imitating something the Bass really T-off on because it is very effective.

c) Almost like a regular jig / craw setup.  Basically dragging it, or just getting it a touch off the bottom.  Pausing from time to time.  This is a slow presentation.

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Remember, you are the bait maker / manufacturer of the bait.  You have extreme influence over the action by how you make it (plastic, colorant, salt, powders, hard, soft, glitter - all impact the elasticity).  As an angler you have an equal influence over rigging and presentation.  This can range from line type, diameter, knot, hook (size / eye alignment), weights, retrieve, etc.

This is a bait you would want to take out and fish exclusively for periods of time to force yourself to learn all it can do.  It's absolutely worth the on the water time investment.

I assure you it will do what you are asking it to do (start video at 3:45): http://youtu.be/XlKr3I4AQhA

The ways I proposed doing it were based on how I like to fish. One consideration I didn't mention that would negate some of the technical aspects when swimming it would be to just use a weighted Swim Bait or Frog / Toad hook.  Using a hook with a belly weight removes a ton of variables and may be something worth considering.

Tight lines!

Jason

[BassDetective]

I had that same experience on my first pour and trial run.  I forget exactly what I do different now but I can throw the bait and run it across the top weightless with no problem.  A couple of things to look for:

1.  Is the bait fully formed - no air pockets, ect.  I remember having some air pockets in the beginning.

2.  Centering the hook is important on this bait

Also, try pouring the bait with some softener. Not sure which brand you are using but  I always pour using the CC soft formula and sometimes add softener to that mix.  It is still plenty durable for my taste.  I always choose action over durability unless I can get both but that is my preference.

[ghostbaits]

Ditto on the softer plastic. That is the key! The dip will make the body firm enough but keep the feet flexible enough to swim.

Rather have a torn up soft bait and a full livewell than the same bait, untouched, on the end of my rod when I come in!!!!     

Jim

[kipbass]

Something you mentioned about the croaker was the point of the hook laid on the back. If I swim the toad, does the hook point need to be embedded? What size hook do you recommend for swimming ? Thanks.

[bribass]

Yea i agree, all the pointers have been good points and take those into action... Make sure it is rigged center, it will help alot with the rolling!

As a top water frog it works great with no weight... if you want to swim subsurface, and not have it roll over, then you need to add some weight to it like a tx rig. Just as Jason mentioned I agree.. the weight makes a big difference. Also, if you want to get really into it... get the belly weighted hooks for swimbaits... i promise you it wont roll then!

Just like swimbaits with a big paddle tail you CANT throw then w/o a weight and have them roll bc they have so much action in the back it rolls them over... same goes for the big foot SUBSURFACE.  It works great! Just needs to be rigged properly!

Its a great bait and I love it!!

Brian

[bribass]

Something you mentioned about the croaker was the point of the hook laid on the back. If I swim the toad, 1.does the hook point need to be embedded? 2.What size hook do you recommend for swimming ? Thanks.

1. it all depends on the type of fishing you are doing... are you fishing sparse cover or heavy cover? Are you using it on the surface or swimming it? I would always just skin hook it a little, if im in open water then no i do not

2. hook size would depend on which size mold you have...

[BassDetective]

For the 4.5 Big Foot I use a 5/0 Mustad 28 Degree with a screw lock .  You could use a 3/0 or 4/0 and be fine too.  I use the 5/0 because there are other baits I throw on the same set up and I can keep from re-tying when I want to switch it up.

[kipbass]

Thanks all. I didn't realize the toad needed weighting for swimming. I'll give that a shot when I can. I was letting it sink under its own weight.

Thanks Jason, I copied and pasted your instructions into word to print out as a reference. I think i'll have time this weekend to give it another go.

[bribass]

Still need to know how to hang em' onced dipped.

Heres a pic with the big foots on there to answer your question.. hope that helps   

Sorry the pic sucks and is small it was taken with a phone