The number one thing when you find a big pad field: listen for the bluegills! Heavy fields of lily pads are not something to avoid, and you can be very efficient if you have the right fishing strategy and technique.
Hollow-bodied frogs are very efficient and smart baits to throw in pad fields. You’re looking for heavy vegetation that canopy over the top of fish. Work your frog on the braiding line. 7’4″ to 7’6″ rod.
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A hollow-bodied frog is an incredibly effective bait, especially around lily pads. With their canopy-like vegetation, these areas create shaded pockets of open water underneath—ideal hiding spots for bass. Here’s a breakdown of how to make the most of this deadly technique:
Why Lily Pads Are Prime Spots
Lily pads offer the perfect combination of cover and feeding opportunities for bass. The flat pads can grow thick, making it tricky to get your frog into the water. However, these dense fields are often where the fish are hiding, waiting for prey like bluegills.
Essential Gear for Frog Fishing
For this technique, you’ll want a setup that can handle heavy cover:
- Rod: A medium-heavy action rod, 7’4″ to 7’6″ in length, gives you the power and precision needed.
- Line: A braided line is a must—it cuts through vegetation and provides the strength needed to pull fish out of thick cover.
The Technique
- Fast and Active Retrieval: Cast your frog across the lily pads and twitch it quickly across the surface. This approach is designed to get the bass to reveal themselves by blowing up, chasing, or moving under the bait.
- Follow-Up Strategy: Once a bass shows itself, cast back to the spot, slow down, or switch to a punching bait for a more deliberate presentation.
Key to Success: Listening for Bluegills
The secret to finding active bass in large pad fields lies in your ears. Bluegills are a primary food source for bass, and you can often hear them popping under the pads. That sound signals an active area, increasing your chances of success.
Final Tips
When working a massive pad field, focus on locating bluegill activity and hone in on those hotspots. By targeting the most active areas and adjusting your technique as needed, you’ll maximize your chances of landing bass.
This method, paired with the right equipment and keen observation, will elevate your frog fishing game, especially in challenging environments like dense lily pad fields.
