<h2>Buying Guide: Frogs</h2><p>Almost all native predators are true opportunists. As well as fish, they will hunt and eat - depending on their size - frogs, insects, crayfish, birds, rodents and even snakes. Frogs represent a relatively easy yet nutritious meal for predators, which is why they are particularly popular with <strong>pike</strong> and wels catfish. Read on to find out how, where and when you can be most successful fishing with frogs.</p><h2>Variants and Properties</h2><p>Frogs come in a range of lure variations. Each form has its own specific advantages, so depending on your preference or the situation, you can choose the one that suits you best. What all frog imitations share is that they can be fished <strong>weedless</strong> - with the hook point tucked against the body - making them virtually snag-free.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Form/Variant</strong></td><td><strong>Example Image</strong></td><td><strong>Properties</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Popperfrog</strong></td><td><img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/9197/0669/files/River2Sea-Spittin-Wa-16-Poison.jpg" alt="Popperfrog" height="200" width="200"></td><td>This frog design features a concave face that, when animated with sharp rod twitches, splashes water and produces a trail of air bubbles. These characteristics make <em>Popperfrogs</em> the noisier option, capable of drawing pike and perch out from dense cover. To get the most from them, the surface should not be completely choked with weed, as the popper cup needs open water to displace. That said, even in heavily covered water the frog can still produce, as its natural silhouette alone is enough to trigger predators holding directly beneath it.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Real Frog</strong></td><td><img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/9197/0669/files/SG_jumping_frog.jpg" alt="Real Frog Angelköder" height="198" width="135"></td><td>This is a highly realistic frog silhouette with lifelike legs. At first glance the action of such a frog might not be immediately obvious, but twitched through lily pads and weed beds, a realistic <em>low-action</em> frog imitation really comes into its own. The lure makes subtle hops and moves just like a real frog. This variant is the first choice for pressured, wary fish that have seen plenty of lures and tend to be spooked by the noise of, for example, a popper.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spinning-Frog</strong></td><td><img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/9197/0669/files/SG_Kick_Frog.jpg" alt="Spinning Frog zum Angeln"></td><td><p>Reminiscent of an asp lure in its construction, spinning frogs feature one or more spinner blades as legs that rotate on the retrieve, generating strong pressure waves and a continuous splash. This frog design combines a lifelike silhouette with high action, which is a particular advantage in coloured water. These lures are also very easy to fish - you simply retrieve them by winding the reel. Use spinning frogs primarily in weed beds that have regular gaps, allowing you to guide the lure through.</p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Softbait-Frog</strong></td><td><img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/9197/0669/files/Keitech-Noisy-Flapper-3-5-Inch-Green-Pumpkin-Frog.jpg" alt="Softbait Frog Köder" height="320" width="240"></td><td><p>Soft plastic frogs are action lures that come unrigged, without pre-mounted hooks. This means you need to source suitable offset hooks or jig heads and rig them yourself, but it also gives you a great deal of versatility in how you fish the lure. Full-rubber frogs typically have a density close to that of water, so they suspend and swim with a subtle action. Depending on the rig, you can present them at the surface or slightly deeper. Their silhouette matches that of a real frog, and the curved legs flutter to generate steady pressure waves that attract predators and trigger bites.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Where to Use Them</h2><p>Thanks to their weedless design - using <strong>offset hooks</strong> with the point tucked tight to the body - frogs are ideally suited to fishing in <strong>heavy cover</strong>: weed, lily pad fields, branches and similarly challenging spots. These are often holding areas for pike, as well as perch, that lie in ambush for passing prey. Especially in spring and early summer, when the water has not yet warmed too much, you will find plenty of predators here. In summer, the early morning and evening hours - and the hard overhead midday sun - are what drive fish into the weeds. Because frogs are searching for mates in spring and pairing up in shallow water, some pike become so focused on this prey that during this period they will take almost nothing other than frog imitations.</p><h2>Presentation and Tackle</h2><p>To imitate a live frog convincingly, gentle rod twitches work well. Short pauses in the retrieve also closely mimic the natural movement of a frog and frequently trigger the desired bite. Bites are usually spectacular - it is not uncommon to be startled when a pike charges out of the weeds at full speed to engulf the lure. In the early stages, mistakes that result in missed fish are common. Because the hooks are buried or pressed flat against the body, the pike must have the frog firmly in its mouth before you set the <strong>hook</strong>. Strike too soon and you will simply pull the lure straight out of the fish. The instinctive <strong>strike reflex</strong> that lure anglers develop over time needs to be held back a little here.</p><p>No specialist tackle is required for frog fishing. A rod matched to the casting weight and target species - ideally with a sensitive tip and a powerful backbone - combined with a suitable reel is all you need. Pay attention to your line strength: hooked fish need to be hauled clear of the weed quickly to avoid injuring them or losing them in the vegetation. A <strong>wire trace</strong> is also absolutely essential here.</p>