Post-Spawn Toad Patterns & Techniques

The topwater bite tends to pick up later in the Spring after the fish have spawned and move off beds to guard and protect their fry. Early Summer / late-Spring Post-Spawn conditions are a great time to reach for the hard kicking and gurgling action of the Toad to grab the attention of hungry fry-guarding females trying to put weight back on. The Toad has a very similar action to a Buzzbait, but its weedless design allows you to fish it in and around vegetation and heavy cover. Fish the Toad through stick ups, over grass mats, down tule lines, near boats and boat docks, or any shallow cover areas where you found bass bedding earlier in the season or where fry guarders may be present.

A Toad rod should have enough backbone to pull fish away from heavy cover, but not be overpowered to the point where it becomes difficult to make an accurate cast. Try using a Medium Heavy to Heavy action rod in 7’3”-7’6” range with a Fast taper so you can load the rod tip and skip the Toad with accuracy. In heavily matted cover there is no need to overthink rod selection, as you can easily get away with using your heavy powered frog rod. But having tons of power is less important with a Toad rod, so many anglers will step down to a Medium Heavy power for better handling and increase rod length for longer casts.

Just like your Buzzbaits, you will need the burner speed of a high gear ratio to keep the Toad on the surface and get the legs running as soon as it hits the water. Faster gear ratios in the 7:1 - 8:1 range will help you make more casts as you quickly move down the bank and cover copious amounts of water. Toad fishing often calls for long casts near heavy cover, so use a 150- to 200-size casting reel so you have enough spool to accommodate heavier line and bomb out a long cast. If you are using a more buoyant Toad, a slower gear ratio may be preferred to slow down and fish more target specific areas.

To keep the Toad running on the surface and get proper hook penetration, you will need the floating and no stretch qualities of braided fishing line. A Toad’s weedless design means you will often be fishing near vegetation, so the added power of braid will help remove fish from the edges of grass mats or other heavy cover. Some situations may call for the power of 65lb braid, but once you get over the 50lb mark braid becomes more difficult to cast, so many anglers will step down to 40-50lb braid for better casting ability.

If your Toad is not sitting perfectly straight on the hook it may have the tendency to dive subsurface or spin as you wind it back in. Start with a Screwlock offset EWG to help center the Toad over the hook. You want it to fit nicely within the body of the bait without blowing out the nose or tail. Try experimenting with a light belly weighted hook to increase your casting distance and encourage the Toad to land belly first every time. Trimming the inside edges of the feet on your Toads will provide a more vigorous kicking action and leave a larger bubble trail when reeled on the surface. Toad bites are known to draw vicious, explosive top water bites so use a Double Palomar Knot to ensure a strong connection between you and the fish.

Use a steady retrieve and reel the Toad back with the rod tip slightly pointed up. When you get a bite try to wait a half second before setting the hook so the fish has enough time to engulf the bait completely. Look for a Toad that comes to the surface quickly and stays on top even when reeled slowly. You may have to dial in the weight or gauge of the hook before you find the right combination that provides the best swimming action. Early in the Spring a Toad with a heavier kicking action may get you more bites, but as the season wears on it may be advantageous to switch to a Toad with a more subtle action.

All Black or White colored Toads have been long standing favorites, as they provide good contrast on overcast days and are easy for the fish to spot through cover. Green Pumpkin and Watermelon variations provide a more natural look and do a great job of mimicking a frog or bluegill. A little touch of Chartreuse on the head or legs can go a long ways also, so keep some colored dipping dye or scent markers on hand so you can add some extra appeal to your presentation.

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