The Hollow Body Frog Showdown: Popping Frogs Vs Walking Frogs

The hollow body frog ranks as one of the best topwater lures for bass fishing whether in weeds or open water.

The frog’s hollow body makes it extremely buoyant so it rides high on the surface of weed mats and in open water. The frog’s hooks are positioned alongside the upper portion of the lure’s body to make it weedless for fishing over weed mats, around weed patches and edges or through lily pads.

The two types of hollow-bodied frogs most commonly used by bass anglers are the standard or walking frog and the popping frog. Both of these styles of frogs can be used in some situations, but there are certain conditions when you will prefer to use one style over the other.

Here’s a look at both styles of frogs and the best ways to apply each one.

Hollow Body Walking frog

The Googan Squad Filthy Frog walks across the waters surface helping call in fish lurking below.

The standard or walking frog has a pointy noise that makes the lure ideal for skimming over weed mats and retrieving in a walk-the-dog fashion in open water.

Walking frogs are ideal any time bass want a more subtle topwater presentation such as during the spawn or immediately after the spawn when the fish are still in a recovery stage from spawning. The walking frog can be used when fishing open water in the same conditions you would apply a Zara Spook such as calm weather or a slight breeze that ripples the surface.

The walking frog is better suited for skimming over weed mats whereas the gaping mouth of the popping frog causes it to bog down in the mat. A prime time to throw the walking frog is in the fall when fishing matted vegetation. Hydrilla, milfoil and coontail have all topped out in the fall and bream are popping bugs off the grass then. The frog imitates the feeding bream, which bass are searching for underneath the mats.

Hollow Body Popping Frog

The Googan Squad Poppin' Frog will be hitting the water soon, stay tuned!

The concave mouth of the popping frog makes it similar to a topwater popper plug. The popping frog can then be used in the same conditions as popper plugs such as fishing in muddy or stained water, choppy water or current and in shaded areas under bushes or docks. It is also effective for popping around weed edges and lily pads to trigger strikes from aggressive bass.

Popping frogs are also ideal for fishing during mayfly hatches because the lure’s popping noise resembles bluegill eating the insects on the surface. The popping frog’s ability to mimic sunfish eating on the surface also makes it a great topwater lure for fishing around bream and bluegill beds in the shallows during summer.