Fishing with Frog Lures in July: Topwater Explosions in the Heat of Summer

July is prime time for topwater fishing in our Cape Cod ponds and lakes, and there’s no better way to target aggressive bass than with a frog lure. When the summer heat drives fish into shady, weedy cover, frog baits become super effective—skipping across lily pads, mats, and grass beds like the real thing. If you want to experience heart-pounding surface strikes, fishing with frog lures in July is the way to go.

Why Frogs Work in July

Warm water temperatures in mid-summer increase bass metabolism, making them more aggressive and willing to chase baits. At the same time, vegetation explodes—thick mats of duckweed, lily pads, and hydrilla take over shallow water areas. These mats provide both cover and ambush points, and frogs are one of the few lures that can be worked over this heavy stuff.

Real frogs and toads are common forage during this time, and a soft-bodied frog lure perfectly mimics this prey. Bass lying in wait below the surface see the movement and silhouette of a frog as an easy, high protein treat treat.

Best Types of Frog Lures

• Hollow-Body Frogs – Designed for thick cover. These soft, weedless baits collapse on the hookset, allowing for solid hookups in dense vegetation. Best Bet-COPPER RED BAITS WAVE FROG 2.5"

  

  
  

• Popping Frogs – Great in open pockets or along edges of cover. Their cupped mouths create splashes and pops that draw bass in from a distance. Best Bet-LIVE TARGET FROG POPPER 2 1/2" (F)

• Frog Walking Baits – Meant for working around pads and open water . Best Bet-LIVE TARGET FROG WALKING BAIT

  
  

  Top Locations for Frog Fishing

• Lily pad fields

• Matted grass and hydrilla

• Shallow coves with surface weeds

• Edges of weed lines and docks

• Flooded timber and backwater sloughs

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Focus on shallow flats during early morning and late evening, and push toward deeper weed edges as the sun climbs higher.

Tips for Success

• Use heavy gear. A stout rod (7'+ heavy power), braided line (50-65 lb), and a strong hookset are crucial for hauling bass out of thick cover.

• Pause and wait. When a fish strikes, don’t set the hook immediately. Wait a second or two, feel the weight, then drive the hook home.

• Vary your retrieve. Mix slow hops, steady walks, and erratic pops to see what triggers bites.

• Target low-light periods. Early morning, dusk, or overcast days are when frog fishing shines.

Frog fishing in July isn’t just effective—it’s exciting. Watching a bass explode through thick greenery to crush your lure is what summer bass fishing is all about. So gear up with a frog, find the mats, and hold on. The next cast could deliver the blow-up of the season.