Another Horny Toad Curiosity that Ive noticed
07-17-2009 | 12:23 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Another Horny Toad Curiosity that Ive noticed
When fishing the horny toad, I have noticed something of interest, or maybe not something of interest, but something worth noting to anybody who uses one.
The last few times that I've had good hits on the horny toad(regardless of color), or even any hits at all, have been very early in the retrieval process. So early in fact, that sometimes the fish is already running with the frog before i even start my retrieval. Other times, i may get a half turn or a twitch in before it feels like ive run up against a stump. Rarely do I ever get a hit on my retrieval anymore, and if I do, its generally within 10-15 feet of where I initially casted. I recently noticed this and started paying close attention to my hits today in hopes of seeing the fish actually hit the lure upon impact with the water. Sure enough, On the one that I saw actually take the lure, took it within a split second of it hitting the water. There was no hesitation, no deliberations, no thinking. The bass ran up on it instantly, swallowed, then went right back where he came from.
I found this very interesting to observe and learned a few things that helped me out considerbaly during the rest of the hour on the water. I'll mention them here so you can tell me your thoughts. If you think I'm and idiot, it wont hurt my feelings, as long as you atleast tell me why and are willing to correct my errors in logic
. These are my thoughts concerning only the bodies of water that I fish:
1. I believe that most of the strikes that I am getting are reaction strikes. The fish has just enough time to determine that it looks like something similar to what it eats, and then attacks the lure.
2. Considering number 1, I dont think the color of the Horny Toad is very relevant, as long as it is a somewhat natural color that the fish associates with real food.
3. Seeing how most of the hits are coming almost immediately after the frog hits the water and begins to drop makes me believe that maybe this lure could be used for flipping. The legs are thin enough to move freely while in a freefall, and most of my hits have come during the freefall immediately after the lure is cast.
4. The first two attacks on my lure allowed me to see the direction of the fish upon attack, which let me identify where they were hiding initially. Most importantly, I noticed that most of my casts were not to where the fish were at, but only to where I thought they would be, and I was going about it all wrong. By identifying where they actually were coming from, I was able to get my next two bites within 5 minutes of eachother before I had to leave. I learned to look for trees that had limbs hanging down into the water, and cast directly into the front edge of those limbs. Previously, I would try to cast behind them and bring the toad under them and out, but I realized that the flish were hiding directly under the branches and leaves of the tree that were in contact with the ground. By casting into those branches and leaves touching the water, I recieved my last two hits almost on contact with the water. There was no hesitation in the bite, just a simple bulge of water where the lure hit, and the fish stayed stationary until i set the hook.
5. By learning why they were attacking the lure, and during what part of the casting and retrieval process they were doing it, taught me a tremendous amount, and allowed me to get two more hits within a quarter of the amount of time. I learned that you just cant sit out ther and cast, you have to be constantly observant of what the fish wants, when he wants it, why he wants it, and where he wants it. Being observant wont always get you the answers to those things, but it will get you the answers to most, and that will help out A LOT.
ps Chuck, my friend caught one on an Arkansas Shad/Shiner Fluke as well.
The last few times that I've had good hits on the horny toad(regardless of color), or even any hits at all, have been very early in the retrieval process. So early in fact, that sometimes the fish is already running with the frog before i even start my retrieval. Other times, i may get a half turn or a twitch in before it feels like ive run up against a stump. Rarely do I ever get a hit on my retrieval anymore, and if I do, its generally within 10-15 feet of where I initially casted. I recently noticed this and started paying close attention to my hits today in hopes of seeing the fish actually hit the lure upon impact with the water. Sure enough, On the one that I saw actually take the lure, took it within a split second of it hitting the water. There was no hesitation, no deliberations, no thinking. The bass ran up on it instantly, swallowed, then went right back where he came from.
I found this very interesting to observe and learned a few things that helped me out considerbaly during the rest of the hour on the water. I'll mention them here so you can tell me your thoughts. If you think I'm and idiot, it wont hurt my feelings, as long as you atleast tell me why and are willing to correct my errors in logic
. These are my thoughts concerning only the bodies of water that I fish:1. I believe that most of the strikes that I am getting are reaction strikes. The fish has just enough time to determine that it looks like something similar to what it eats, and then attacks the lure.
2. Considering number 1, I dont think the color of the Horny Toad is very relevant, as long as it is a somewhat natural color that the fish associates with real food.
3. Seeing how most of the hits are coming almost immediately after the frog hits the water and begins to drop makes me believe that maybe this lure could be used for flipping. The legs are thin enough to move freely while in a freefall, and most of my hits have come during the freefall immediately after the lure is cast.
4. The first two attacks on my lure allowed me to see the direction of the fish upon attack, which let me identify where they were hiding initially. Most importantly, I noticed that most of my casts were not to where the fish were at, but only to where I thought they would be, and I was going about it all wrong. By identifying where they actually were coming from, I was able to get my next two bites within 5 minutes of eachother before I had to leave. I learned to look for trees that had limbs hanging down into the water, and cast directly into the front edge of those limbs. Previously, I would try to cast behind them and bring the toad under them and out, but I realized that the flish were hiding directly under the branches and leaves of the tree that were in contact with the ground. By casting into those branches and leaves touching the water, I recieved my last two hits almost on contact with the water. There was no hesitation in the bite, just a simple bulge of water where the lure hit, and the fish stayed stationary until i set the hook.
5. By learning why they were attacking the lure, and during what part of the casting and retrieval process they were doing it, taught me a tremendous amount, and allowed me to get two more hits within a quarter of the amount of time. I learned that you just cant sit out ther and cast, you have to be constantly observant of what the fish wants, when he wants it, why he wants it, and where he wants it. Being observant wont always get you the answers to those things, but it will get you the answers to most, and that will help out A LOT.
ps Chuck, my friend caught one on an Arkansas Shad/Shiner Fluke as well.
07-18-2009 | 01:01 AM
#2
Dominant Buck
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,123
Likes: 3
From: Central Florida
Good deal..that is why I mentioned in our convesation about 3 days ago that I try to switch hands ASAP..I 've casted a worm before and had the fish come totally out of the water in mid air and swallow the worm before it even hit the water.
.BUT my strikes vary..I got one that attacked it on my last reel turn by the boat..NOW that one got my nerves on edge..I made a reaction set to a reaction hit and got a lucky 2 pounder that day..LOL and got a good reaction from Matt..
.BUT my strikes vary..I got one that attacked it on my last reel turn by the boat..NOW that one got my nerves on edge..I made a reaction set to a reaction hit and got a lucky 2 pounder that day..LOL and got a good reaction from Matt..
