Micheal S. gave me a larger version of this frog, and the bass completely destroyed it.
I tinkered with the pattern until I could get the tying down to less than 5 minutes, and here is the result:
Hook: Size 6 Mustad 3366A
Thread: 240 denier thread to match under-body
Over-body: 3mm closed cell foam cut to 1/2″ wide
Legs: Flat rubber legs, 4 strand wide, and 1 strand
Under-body: Chenille, yarn, etc.
Eyes: 4mm dolls eyes
Glue: Craft glue or CA
Markers for finishing touches.
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- Step 1: Cut a small triangle from the 1/2″ strip of 2mm foam. Save this triangle. It is used in the next steps.
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- Step 2:Tie on the triangle that you save at the very rear of the bend.
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- Step 3: Tie a loose overhand knot in 4 strands of flat rubber legs. Make sure there are no twists.
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- Step 4: Tighten up the overhand knot in 4 strands of flat rubber legs. Make sure there are no twists.
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- Step 5: Tie in the first set of legs, using the bump of foam to force the rubber away from the hook shank.
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- Step 6: Tie the same know in the second set of legs, in the opposite direction. Then tie in the second set of legs, using the bump of foam to force the rubber away from the hook shank.
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- Step 7: Notice how well the bump of foam keeps the legs splayed?
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- Step 8: Tie in the tips of “V” that you cut from the foam. The point of the “V” will be right over the point that the legs join the hook.
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- Step 9: Tie down the “V” that you cut from the foam. Notice how little bulk there is?
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- Step 10: Add your under-body. In this case I’m using “scrubby sparkle” in this photo.
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- Step 11: Palmer your under-body up to the eye of the hook. Don’t crowd.
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- Step 12: Fold the main piece of foam over the head and gently wrap a few times to get it to stay in place. Then bind it tightly. Without doing a few soft wraps first the thread will cut though the foam.
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- Step 13: Trim the head, leaving enough room for the eyes. At this time also add a single strand of rubber to each side. Leave them long for now. Trimming is the next steps.
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- Step 14: Trim the front legs by gathering and pulling straight up.
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- Step 15: Trim the back legs by holding the knots together and cutting at an angle
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- Step 16: Trim the back legs by holding the knots together and cutting at an angle
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- Step 17: Splay the feet by pulling the fibers while holding the knot.
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- Step 18: Cut the extra foam off the butt.
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- Step 19: Add some craft glue for the eyes. Here I am using E6000.
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- Step 20: Add the eyes. These are 4mm dolls eyes..
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- Step 21: Use a permanent marker to make your pattern unique.
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- Step 22: I like to add lips to the frog.
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- Step 23: And spring peepers have an “X” on their back.
During the test day, and after catching over 50 fish, bass and bluegill, I’ve learned a few things.
1. Use at least 15# tippet. The frogs will spin, no matter how symmetrical you tried to make them. Small diameter tippet will be destroyed.
2. Don’t lift your rod. No matter what. If you don’t feel the fish, keep the rod tip down. I had one fish hit four times before he was hooked.
3. A frog in the middle of the pond makes no sense to me, but the fish like it out there as well as near shore.
4. Action! Do they want it moving, or sitting still? On my test day, they wanted it moving, constantly.
5. I can cast these with a 5 weight rod, comfortably, all day.
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