Frog alteration idea

[keithdog]

There are many frog lures on the market, such as Snagproof, Scum Frog, Spro and others. I had an idea that hit me the other day I want to run by you guys. The above mentioned frogs have rear legs made of rubber filiments, like that used in skirts for spinnerbaits. Now why hasn't any of the frog makers thought of adding the same legs to the front of the frog body to imitate the front legs of the frog and also to add more action to the lure? I think I will try experimenting with a couple frog baits and add my own front rubber skirt legs to the lures body. Just need to think of how to add them and also seal the openings I make to slip the skirts through the body so water won't seep into the lure body.

[bassinbob]

Sounds like a good idea. I used a frog that the filaments came off and replaced the rear legs with the legs from a Yum buzzfrog. I didn't notice any differences but you never know. It might call them over open water but on a mat I think as long as they sense any movement is what attracts them.

[keithdog]

I think your right about any movement on a mat of weeds attracting a strike. What I am thinking about is when the lure is in an open patch of water, say a pocket in the weeds or along a weedbed. I'm thinking the extra action of front legs may look more natural and thus more likely to draw a strike in open water.

[BigBassin144]

If you've ever looked at a frog sitting in the water, even a big one, the front legs are not very big. Maybe and inch or so. I wouldn't think it would make much of a difference in attracting fish, but it might change the action of the lure.

--bb144--

[bassbooger]

It might work, you just have to try it.

I am betting the reason you do not see front legs on those frogs you menioned is because the way a frog swims across the water. I'm sure you have seen that a frog puts his front legs back against his body while swimming and only his back legs move, so that may be the reason that you only see back legs on lures.

Give it a shot though, it might work great.

[Mac10]

If you have a solid body frog such as a Toad, you may trim the nose end and slip over the skirt of a large tube putting it on backwards so the filaments tend to stick out frontwards. Trim the filaments off on top and bottom to leave the leg filaments attached. To fasten the skirt onto the toad, heat a wire and slide it between the tube and Toad. When you make the skirt out of the tube, cut the skirt off a half inch up on the tube body.

I use a pencil soldering iron and wrap a wire about the diameter of a pencil lead around the tip three times leaving it stick out on the front about a half inch. It heats well and seals joints cleanly. I dont' know if this will work for hollow body frogs, may have to use super glue.

About front legs, Doug Hannon, when fishing Jitterbugs, paints little arms and outstretched fingers on the metal lip underneath the front end of the plug.

If you didn't want to mess with the tube, you can use the same soldering iron to add front legs...just heat the plastic of the plug and a piece of worm on the end and when melted a bit, jam them together and hold for 10 seconds....I use my soldering iron on the stand for hands free melting and use the fatter barrel of the iron. I melt the plug on one side and at the same time melt the worm end on the other side. Good to have a fan to exhaust the fumes.

[cullin8s]

I have two frogs from Japan with front legs of the same skirt material as the rear.

[Lancer6]

Originally Posted by keithdog

There are many frog lures on the market, such as Snagproof, Scum Frog, Spro and others. I had an idea that hit me the other day I want to run by you guys. The above mentioned frogs have rear legs made of rubber filiments, like that used in skirts for spinnerbaits. Now why hasn't any of the frog makers thought of adding the same legs to the front of the frog body to imitate the front legs of the frog and also to add more action to the lure? I think I will try experimenting with a couple frog baits and add my own front rubber skirt legs to the lures body. Just need to think of how to add them and also seal the openings I make to slip the skirts through the body so water won't seep into the lure body.

Well, for one thing, a frog usually swims, at higher speeds anyway, with his front legs tucked beneath his tasty body. A frog's front appendages are used for grasping prey or to anchor him, not swim.
Still, since bass often "eat" lures that resemble no creature they (or we) have never, ever, seen, then your idea can do no harm.

[Mac10]

If you had a carpet needle or any bigger needle you could simply "sew" the legs through the frog body. This would probably work better than trying to weld on a thin bodied frog such as Snagproof, etc. I don't know, but if you put several strands through the same two holes going in one side and out the other, they would probably provide a seal of sorts by themselves just by pressing against each other and against the sides of the hole...... As the needle passes through, it stretches the hole, and the strands will be somewhat pinched as the hole returns to natural size. I don't think you will even need to seal the area. Even if it leaks, it won't be enough to sink the frog and if so, the water can be squeezed out once every so often. I personally think a half sunk frog would be more realistic.....something to tinker with, the number of strands....

As for sealing, pull the strands out on one side or slide the body in a little, then apply a little silicone caulk and slide the body back to its normal position.
Do the same on the other side. You could even apply the silicone with a toothpick to keep it controlled.

Should the frog body want to tear when using the needle, heat a smaller needle to melt a pilot hole before sewing in the threads. The pilot hole will melt a little of the plastic making it thicker around the hole and re-inforce the entry point.

Sorry I didn't come up with these thoughts in the first place. Good Fishing, Mac

[brushhog]

Seems I once had a frog lure with some floppy front legs that kinda flopped when you worked the lure.... Probably came from some ancient tackle of my Dads.... I'll post a picture if i can dig it up. Let us know how your experiments work out, maybe post a picture if you could. Good luck.

[zooker]

front legs creates more drag.. it is tough enough to chunk da frog all day with out working harder to do it..

zooker

[Charles E. White]

I fish lily pads most of the time with frogs and the only thing I see wrong with adding frog legs are they will get caught on the pads. The same holds true with frogs that have weights in them, they get caught on the pads a lot more than frogs with no weights like the Scum Frog.

[garry_3000]

I add two rattles im my frog. go to an craft store and buy some shoe bells (the round metal bells) small ones make an cut in the hole that the hook comes out and put them inside and glue it back. They do add an little weigh but an whole lot of noise too.

[bassthumb32]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ever-Green-Everg...QQcmdZViewItem

look at this evergreen has been making it for a few years now.

[keithdog]

Well, wattaya know. Evergreen beat me to the punch, lol. Looks like a good frog, but pretty darn expensive.