The day of dull hook

[Rodman_Rob]

Took the boat out this morning to a remote lake in the ONF. Saw a bear drinking water at sun up, kinda cool. From 3am till sunup I had zero bites. Once sun light started to light the sky the bite turned on. First was on a jitterbug right as it was going past some brush, looked to be about 1.5-2 pounds, he threw the hook AT the boat, oh well, I got him close enough for a good look, he woulda went back anyway. Since I didn't want to deal with thrown trebbles, I switched to the Siesmic version of zooms horny toad. It came in "melon" color if I remember correctly, AWSOME color pattern. On top its a green with a little bit of brown, and a little bit of pink, while the bottom is a soft whitish/pink. Its not so much PINK PINK, but subtle pink, almost white with a blood tinge to it. Anyway that with a slow constant retrieve would kick the legs just right to add a little flutter to the top of the water. I must have had 8 strikes, about 5 I missed because of either a dull hook, or the way the hook rests on the back, there is a little recessed slot that allows the hook to sit below the surface of the frog so as to not collect any weeds. I'm not sure if it was dull hooks, or this recess that caused me to miss so many hooksets. I had one, he felt BIG and didn't take him long to break my line. Another managed to wrap himself around some brush. All in all, I landed ONE dink this morning, but found an effective lure.

[Rebbasser]

Now you know why I always carry a small hook sharpener . Been there and done that once, and that was enough to learn the lesson.

[Cuban_Cigar]

wish i could blame my past 2 failed trips on dull hooks.....its all my fault for me
*weeps silently in corner*

[lizardsrule]

Rob,

I have also used those baits. I found that I need at least a 4/0 or 5/0 Gammy widegap to make up for the thickness and size, when regular rigging it. They do get bites though. I would reccommend you try to use a nose hook method for rigging it. It's a topwater, so the exposed hook(in the upright position) worked better for hook ups. I could use a smaller hook also when doing this, and I had a better hookup ratio. I just tried it, because I got frustrated on missing bass. I did remind me of my first few times frog fishing. I thingkI missed 10 times as many as I hooked. I learned how to do it better, but I still dislike the hookset ratio on those. You seem like me, fish at night, or dark anyway a lot. I haven't had near as much opportunity to this year with the tourneys I have fished(all during the daylight hours). Anyway I must say I would probably be a "VERY" nervous in Florida fishing at night. To many big critters that like fish, or hands for food.

Lizards

Lizards

[Rodman_Rob]

Lizards,
I'm glad to hear it wasn't me or dull hooks. Well, I guess it was me, my decision, I was using a 2/0 narrow gap, I knew I needed more 3-5/0 when I left that morning, but didn't want to stop at Wally World as that would have cut into fishing time, I knew that would end up biting me in the azz.

Yeah, definately in the summer I'd prefer to be out without the sun, not only more comfortable for me, but the fish as well. One thing I've noticed about florida waters in the summer, my catch rates are more than double once the sun goes down. As far as the big critters go, they don't bother ya, its the misquito you have to worry about, inhaled 2 that night, uuggghhh. I usually have my glock w/me just incase, but the thought of gators is the last thing on my mind out there.

[bassthumb32]

on horny toads i use a 5/0 ewg hook. and if i am running it as a top water bait i will push the hook through so it is easily exposed. and hard to miss.