Feelin' Froggy with Freddy B. Frog
By Jodie Paul
Frog fishing is one of the most exhilarating ways to catch largemouth bass. There’s something uniquely thrilling about watching a fish explode through a mat of lily pads or duckweed to crush a bait on the surface. When bass bury themselves deep in thick vegetation—mats, pads, duckweed, or the heavy stuff that forms late in summer—topwater frogs become one of the most effective tools in your box. And when it comes to frog lures, the Freddy B. Frog from Livingston Lures offers something that no other frog does: sound.
Unlike traditional hollow-body frogs, the Freddy B. Frog features Livingston’s patented Electronic Baitfish Sound (EBS) technology, which emits the biological sound of a real frog once the bait hits water. This added layer of realism can turn a missed opportunity into a strike and draw fish from farther away—even in heavy, pressured waters.
Understanding the Approach
Frog fishing hinges on a few simple but critical ideas. First, bass in heavy vegetation are there to ambush prey. The water beneath that cover is usually cooler, richer in oxygen, and filled with forage like bluegills, minnows, or frogs. A soft-bodied frog bait that skims across the surface mimics those vulnerable targets. The Freddy B. Frog, with its soft profile and sticky hook design, is built to slip across that cover without hanging up, making it ideal for high-percentage frog zones.
What gives it a distinct advantage, however, is the addition of sound. While most topwater frogs rely on visual appeal and surface movement alone, the Freddy B. Frog emits a true-to-life frog call. That audio signal not only appeals to a bass’s lateral line but can double the distance from which a bass might investigate or strike.
Picking the Right Water for Frog Fishing
Not all vegetation is created equal. Frogging success often comes down to finding the kind of cover that holds fish—and understanding why they’re there. Lily pads and dense surface mats are classic frog water, offering overhead shade and ambush lanes. Duckweed tends to grow in thinner layers but still attracts bass feeding on baitfish. Later in the summer, the thick, slimy “cheese” that floats across flats often holds heat—and fish.
The real key, though, is transition. Places where dense vegetation meets open water, or where a flat drops off into deeper water, consistently hold more and better fish. Bass use these edges to slide in and out of cover depending on the time of day, light penetration, and water temperature. Casting a Freddy B. Frog along these lines gives bass the perfect opportunity to strike from concealment.
The Right Gear for the Job
Frog fishing demands more from your gear than most topwater techniques. You’re pulling big fish from bad places. A medium-heavy Trika Rod gives you the length for long casts and the backbone to drive hooks home. The tip should have enough give to absorb the strike—bass often hit hard and fast—but you still need the rod to muscle fish out of cover immediately.
Reel speed matters just as much. A high-speed baitcaster lets you pick up line quickly, especially when a fish slams the bait and runs toward you. It also helps reposition the frog efficiently between casts. As for line, 55-pound braid is standard for good reason. It’s tough, has no stretch, and cuts cleanly through vegetation—essential for controlling the fight when a fish buries itself deep.
Working the Freddy B. Frog
Success with the Freddy B. Frog doesn’t come from speed or splash—it comes from patience and precision. Look for subtle signs of life in the vegetation: nervous baitfish, small surface disturbances, or bluegill pops. These small clues often indicate active predators nearby.
Once you’ve picked a likely spot, cast the Freddy B. Frog well into the cover and let it sit. Sometimes just the sound of the EBS activating is enough to pull fish from beneath. Start with slow, deliberate twitches of the rod tip, pausing the bait frequently to let the sound work. In heavy mats, long pauses are often better than constant movement. In open pockets or along edges, a few quick pops can mimic a struggling frog or bluegill.
Strikes can be dramatic—or almost invisible. A subtle swirl or change in the frog’s motion often means a bass is stalking. Stay locked in and watch the bait closely. When a fish blows up on it, avoid setting the hook immediately. Let the frog disappear, then drive the hook home with a firm, controlled sweep.
What to Do After a Miss
Blow-ups without commitment are part of the game. When a bass strikes and misses, cast back to the same spot quickly. The EBS sound can often trigger a second, more committed strike. If you’ve worked the Freddy B. Frog over an area multiple times with no luck, consider switching to a punch bait—a beaver-style soft plastic in a natural color like black-blue or green pumpkin. This approach mimics a wounded baitfish slipping back through the mat and can be deadly.
That said, the Freddy B. Frog’s unique sound often reduces the need for a follow-up bait. Many times, the same fish that missed the first strike will come back and commit if you work the bait slowly with confidence.
When and Where to Fish Topwater Bass Frogs
Frog fishing isn’t just a morning technique. While early light can produce explosive bites, some of the best action with the Freddy B. Frog comes midday—especially after the sun has warmed the vegetation. Around 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, bass often get more aggressive in thick cover, making it the perfect time to cover water with this bait.
Overcast days can also be productive, especially when bass roam the flats. And don’t overlook less traditional spots. Under docks, around standing timber, or near shaded shorelines, the Freddy B. Frog can mimic anything from a frog to a struggling bluegill.
Beyond the Basics
Frog fishing is often portrayed as an all-or-nothing tactic. But with the Freddy B. Frog, it becomes a method you can refine and adapt. The combination of a soft, weedless profile and sound-producing technology makes it more than a lure—it’s a precision tool for topwater bass. When worked patiently and placed strategically, it can draw strikes in the most pressured or overlooked water.
So the next time you're facing dense mats, stubborn fish, or tough summer conditions, tie on the Freddy B. Frog and slow down. Let the sound do the work. And get ready—for some of the most violent, satisfying strikes bass fishing has to offer.