Getting hook set on Horny Toad

[BSMN1]

Due to the suggestion of some on this forum I've been tossing the Horny Toad around when I know I've made contact with fish. My problem is getting a hook set...the strike ratio is incredible but *grrr* So far I'm using an Owner 4/0 worm hook/ Eagle Claw 3&4/0 worm hook and an open gap. I hate to go with the twin open exposed hooks off frogs due to snags. Any input apreciated!!

[rippinlips]

Zoom makes a hook just for the horny toads and it works very good.

[ikeslayer]

however you can get the exact same hook from stamina or jann's net craft for half the price. Just and fyi. ike

[Deitz Dittrich]

yep, its just a 60deg jig hook with out the jig and a hitch hiker attached to it.

[jalberg]

I tried some owner worm hooks a couple years ago and had a horrible hookup ratio. Scrap the owner hooks and use a 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu Superline EWG. Then make sure you run the hook all the way through the bait and just barely put the tip of the hook into the back of the frog. I think they call this "Texposed". Also try a low stretch line like florocarbon or braid and maybe a rod with more backbone.

[Daze Off]

Of course the old advice still applies too - no setting until you feel the weight of the fish. Hard not to pull the trigger on the blow-up.

Daze Off

[BSMN1]

Is this still a Texas Rig but with the hook exposed or are the other hooks mentioned here the twin hooks that come alongside the body. I'm not getting "blow ups" but just "takes". Using a 6'6" Med Hvy Fenwick baitcasting rod...plenty of backbone. Seems the body of the Horny Toad is bunching up.

Thanks for the input.!!

[BSMN1]

Is this what you're referring to? Would seem to add too much bulk for slop/weed fishing.

[Deitz Dittrich]

bsm- that may or may not work.. it like you said would depend on how thick the weeds are.

[fishfearme]

I've been using a mustad 2/0 big mouth tube hook and having great success with that.

[Eye-lander]

I have a pack of the Horny Toads, and you can have the rest if you want to pick them up in Lino Lakes! I switched to the Ribbit by Stanley, and like them alot better. Coupled with the 5/0 hook, and the softer body, the hook ratio skyrocketed! The Ribbit also creates more of a gurgling on the surface when reeled in on a steady retrive in open water. Just my .02

[Jig Master]

Down in florida there is a bait shop called Bitter's, and they sell custom plastics. They have a toad type bait called a "buzzin' gator." It's heavy, has a lot of plastic, and can hold up to a 6/0 gam. superline hook. They are absolutley sweet if you're going after fish that are consistently over 3 pounds. I've caught 12 inchers on em but if you're fishing Le Homme Dieu for example it wouldn't pay to throw a bigger bait.

[fishinNhuntin]

I second the Gamakatsu EWG widegapped hooks. I've tried a lot of the soft "toad" bait including the horny toad. I haven't tried the Ribbit's yet because I have had such great luck using the Mann's Hardnose. A lot of water turbulance and the bait doesn't tear up as much allowing for more fish per bait. I had the same problem though with the hooksets maybe hooking up 30 percent or so. I probably hook up 75-80 percent of the time now which, at least I think, is a great average for a topwater. What made the difference was switching from a 3/0 to a 5/0 hook. Again I use 5/0 Gamakatsu EWG widegapped hooks; red, but I'm not sure that makes the difference but what ain't broken..... My 2 cents says change one thing at a time until improvement is made. I would switch to a larger hook myself for a start. Most importantly, make sure you allow your rod to "load up" as well after a strike rather that set it immediatly on the initial explosion.

Personally, when a topwater bite is going, there is no funner time to be on the water!