Best Frog Lures for Bass: 6 Topwater Frogs Compared
Six hollow-body and swimming frog lures for bass compared by style: walking, popping, rattling, compact, and open-water frogs.
By James
Updated November 10, 2026
Few bites in bass fishing are as dramatic as a largemouth blowing up on a frog. Hollow-body frogs are built to be fished where most lures cannot go: over lily pads, matted grass, slop, and under overhanging brush. Their soft bodies hide upturned double hooks, so they come through cover without snagging, then collapse when a bass bites so the hooks can find their mark.
This guide compares six frog lures for bass, from proven walking frogs to popping frogs and a soft frog with swimming legs. We compared the manufacturers’ published sizes, weights, hooks, and design features, then matched each frog to the conditions it suits. For more surface baits, browse our topwater lure section.
Our Top Picks
| Best for | Product | FH Score About FH ScoreThe FH Score is our editorial rating from 0 to 10, based on published specs, materials, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings and is never influenced by commissions. Learn more › | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |
SPRO Bronzeye Frog 65
|
8.1/10 | Check Price |
| Value walking frog |
Booyah Pad Crasher Frog
|
7.7/10 | Check Price |
| Popping frog |
Booyah Poppin' Pad Crasher Frog
|
7.5/10 | Check Price |
| Noise in cover |
Strike King KVD Sexy Frog
|
7.6/10 | Check Price |
| Compact sealed |
Berkley Swamp Lord Frog
|
7.6/10 | Check Price |
| Open-water swimmer |
Lunkerhunt Lunker Frog
|
7.0/10 | Check Price |
The Picks in Detail
SPRO Bronzeye Frog 65
Why it made the list: The Bronzeye Frog 65 is SPRO’s long-running walking frog. SPRO weights it to land on its belly, designs it for long casts, and gives it a walking action that swings side to side on top. It carries a strong Gamakatsu 4/0 double hook, which matters when you are dragging bass out of thick cover. SPRO says it works both in heavy cover and in open water.
Key specs: 65 mm body, 5/8 oz, Gamakatsu 4/0 NSB EWG double hook, walking action. A smaller Bronzeye Frog 60 (1/2 oz, 3/0 hook) is available for lighter situations.
Skip it if: you fish small ponds with mostly small bass. A compact frog like the Berkley Swamp Lord or the Bronzeye 60 fits better.
Pros
- Lands upright and walks well on top
- Heavy enough at 5/8 oz for long casts with heavy braid
- Strong Gamakatsu 4/0 hooks
- Wide range of colors
Cons
- Costs more than most other frogs here
- Its size may be too much for small bass or pressured fish
Booyah Pad Crasher
Why it made the list: The Pad Crasher costs less than premium frogs like the Bronzeye. Booyah designed the hollow belly to catch water for an easy walking action, and its Flow-Thru design is meant to keep the lure from taking on water and weeds. An interior weighting system and a tough double hook help with solid hookups.
Key specs: 2 1/2 inch body, hollow belly, double hook, internal weight.
Skip it if: you need maximum casting distance across big grass flats. The heavier Bronzeye 65 or KVD Sexy Frog throw farther.
Pros
- Affordable, so losing one in cover hurts less
- Easy to walk, even for anglers new to frog fishing
Cons
- Booyah does not list hook size for this model on the listing
- Lighter than the 5/8 oz frogs, so casts are shorter
Booyah Poppin' Pad Crasher
Why it made the list: A popping frog has a cupped mouth that spits water and makes more noise than a walking frog. Booyah built the Poppin’ Pad Crasher for windy days, thick slop, and fish that have seen standard frogs all day. The cupped mouth also lets it work like a popper or chugger in open water. It uses a super-soft collapsible body with double 3/0 hooks.
Key specs: cupped popping mouth, soft collapsible hollow body, double 3/0 hooks.
Skip it if: the water is calm and clear and fish want a quiet, subtle bait. A walking frog is usually the better call.
Pros
- More surface disturbance than a walking frog
- Works in slop and in open water
- Can be skipped under docks
Cons
- Popping frogs do not walk side to side as easily as walking frogs
- Smaller 3/0 hooks than the 4/0 hooks on the larger frogs here
Strike King KVD Sexy Frog
Why it made the list: The KVD Sexy Frog was designed with pro angler Kevin VanDam for both open water and heavy cover. Its free-floating rattle adds sound to help bass find it in thick vegetation, and the fully sealed nose is meant to keep water out. A strong 4/0 double hook and a collapsible body help with hookups.
Key specs: 5/8 oz; listed at 5 3/4 inches; sealed nose; free-floating rattle; 4/0 double hook.
Skip it if: you fish clear, calm water where a quiet presentation works better.
Pros
- Rattle adds sound in thick cover and stained water
- Sealed nose to limit water entry
- 5/8 oz weight for long casts
Cons
- Rattle noise is not always an advantage around pressured fish
Berkley Swamp Lord
Why it made the list: The Swamp Lord is a compact popping hollow-body frog designed by pro angler Bobby Lane, the 2022 MLF Redcrest champion. Berkley seals both the body chamber and the hook shank to reduce water getting inside, which keeps the frog riding high over a long day. It uses angled Fusion19 frog hooks and a soft body that collapses on the strike.
Key specs: 2.4 inch (61 mm) body; sealed body chamber and hook shank; Fusion19 hooks; topwater.
Skip it if: you target big bass in the thickest mats and want a larger profile. The Bronzeye 65 or KVD Sexy Frog fit that job.
Pros
- Sealed design reduces water intrusion
- Compact size suits smaller or pressured bass
- Angled hooks designed for better hookups
Cons
- Smaller profile casts shorter than 5/8 oz frogs
Lunkerhunt Lunker Frog
Why it made the list: The Lunker Frog stands out for its swimming legs, which extend during the retrieve and retract on the pause, imitating a real frog kicking across the surface. It has a soft hollow body and a buried hook point that lets it come through suspended weeds and weed beds. It is a good choice for open pockets, lily pad edges, and shorelines where bass want a swimming bait rather than a walking one.
Key specs: soft hollow body, moving swimming legs, weedless design.
Skip it if: you mostly fish thick, matted slop. A classic hollow-body frog like the Pad Crasher comes through cleaner.
Pros
- Lifelike leg action on a steady retrieve
- Weedless enough for scattered vegetation
Cons
- Moving legs can catch more weeds than a standard skirted frog in thick mats
- Lunkerhunt lists fewer specs (weight, hook size) on the listing
Frog Lures Compared
| Frog | Style | Size | Weight | Hook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPRO Bronzeye Frog 65 | Walking | 65 mm | 5/8 oz | Gamakatsu 4/0 double |
| Booyah Pad Crasher | Walking | 2 1/2 in | Not listed | Double |
| Booyah Poppin’ Pad Crasher | Popping | Not listed | Not listed | Double 3/0 |
| Strike King KVD Sexy Frog | Walking, rattle | 5 3/4 in (listed) | 5/8 oz | 4/0 double |
| Berkley Swamp Lord | Popping, sealed | 2.4 in | Not listed | Fusion19 |
| Lunkerhunt Lunker Frog | Swimming legs | Not listed | Not listed | Weedless |
How We Picked
We did not fish these frogs for this guide. We researched each lure and compared what the makers publish about size, weight, hooks, and design. Our criteria:
- Weedless hollow-body design suited to bass in cover.
- Published specs such as size, weight, and hook details.
- A mix of styles: walking, popping, rattling, compact, and swimming frogs.
- Brand variety: no more than two frogs from one brand.
The FH Score in each product box is our editorial rating, built from five weighted criteria: performance for the job, build quality, versatility, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings. See how it works on our How We Review page.
How to Choose a Frog Lure for Bass
Walking vs. popping frogs
Walking frogs swing side to side with short twitches of the rod and are the most common choice over mats and pads. Popping frogs have a cupped face that spits water and makes more noise, which helps in wind, stained water, and when fish need more commotion to find the bait.
Size
Larger frogs around 5/8 oz cast farther and suit big bass and heavy cover. Compact frogs around 1/2 oz or smaller get more bites from smaller or pressured fish.
Color
A simple rule many anglers use: lighter colors (white, yellow) on bright days and in clear water, and darker colors (black, brown) on cloudy days, in stained water, and in low light. The belly color matters most, since that is what the bass sees from below.
Gear for frog fishing
Frogs are usually fished on a Medium Heavy or Heavy casting rod around 7′ to 7’6″ with heavy braided line, often 50 to 65 lb. Braid cuts through vegetation and has no stretch, which helps drive the hooks through the soft body. See our budget baitcaster combo picks if you need a setup.
Hooksets
The most common mistake is setting the hook too fast. When a bass blows up on the frog, wait until you feel the weight of the fish or see the frog disappear, then set hard.
FAQ
When is the best time to fish a frog for bass?
Frogs are most effective from late spring through early fall, when vegetation is thick and the water is warm. Early morning, evening, and overcast days are often best, though frogs can work all day in shaded cover.
Why do I miss so many bites on a frog?
Setting the hook too soon is the usual cause. Hollow-body frogs also need to collapse for the hooks to connect, so a pause before the hookset helps.
Can you fish a frog in open water?
Yes. Walking frogs, popping frogs, and frogs with swimming legs all work in open pockets and along edges, not only in thick cover.
Should I trim the legs on a hollow-body frog?
Some anglers trim the skirt legs to change the action or reduce short strikes. Try it on one frog before cutting a whole box.
Final Thoughts
The SPRO Bronzeye Frog 65 is the best all-round frog on this list. For a lower-cost walking frog, start with the Booyah Pad Crasher, and add the Poppin’ Pad Crasher for windy days and slop. Choose the KVD Sexy Frog when you want rattle and noise, the Berkley Swamp Lord for a compact sealed frog, and the Lunkerhunt Lunker Frog for open-water swimming action.
About the author
James writes reviews and buying guides for Fishing Hacking, covering rods, reels, line, lures, and the gear anglers rely on. His work focuses on clear criteria, balanced pros and cons, and practical advice to help readers choose equipment that fits how and where they fish.