Bass fishing in SW Minnesota?

Anybody now what the best baits are for bass fising this early summer? I fish a lot of small ponds that are quite weedy. Topwater has been working well but i am having trouble on good hooksets with frogs. Any tips are extremely appritiated!

What types/brand of frogs are you throwing? What type and length of rod? Type of line?

With certain frogs, you can add oversized hooks that increase hook-up without becoming less weedless.

Have you tried any swim jigs with a twister tail grub trailer?

While many folks use heavy braid on a 7ft heavy rod, I get better hook ups with mono on a 7’6 softer rod. While it might not be able to pull a jeep out of a hole, most of the time with a good hook set, the fish will help do some of the work to come through the weeds.

What direction are you setting the hook? most often you need to be setting it vertically.

FDR

Pin a bullet weight and flip tubes/craws

A pro told me spread the hooks a little wider with a pair of pliers and open them up a little bit or make the gap a little bit bigger with the same pair of pliers and you’ll get better hook ups. I will be trying this this summer as soon as I find places where I’m going to be frogging.
So far no make that I’ve been fishing Haven’t offered much in the way of frogging. Water
good luck I hope that helps

Swim Jig – Will come thru most any cover. I like the ones from http://www.rctackle.com

What kind of frogs do you buy?

Your Rod and Line are extremely important when fishing frogs. I like a 7’3″ rod that is Med Heavy to Heavy and you got to go braided line all the way. I like 40lb Power Pro, but lots of guys like heavier line than that. Next is the hookset, you have to really hit them. I don’t like to wait. A fish hits I drop the rod then come back up immediately if the frog is gone. Some people say wait a couple seconds and feel the fish first.

Lots of variables here…
Reacting to the strike too quick…feel the pull!

Not enough power in the rod… for hollow bodies I use a 7’4″ heavy action w 50# braid, Buzzers 7’3″ w 17 mono…

Not setting the hook hard enough…I see this a lot guiding, especially if you are using a med or moderate action and/or mono…

Bass do miss Frogs 1/2 the time…its a fun way to fish but takes patience, practice and the correct tackle/techniques.