Best Frog Baits for Late Summer & September Bass Fishing

Looking for the best frog baits for August bass fishing? In this episode of Fishing the DMV, John Moller breaks down exactly how he approaches frog fishing during the hottest part of summer and explains the four major types of topwater frogs every bass angler should understand: popping frogs, walking frogs, finesse frogs, and swimming frogs.
When August heat pushes bass into heavy grass, vegetation, mats, or deeper water, a hollow-body frog can be one of the most exciting and effective ways to catch them. But choosing the right style of frog for the situation can make a huge difference.
John breaks down several of his favorite frogs, including the Gavacho Frog, Deps Buster K, Berkley Swamp Lord, Scum Frog, 6th Sense finesse frog, Deps Slither K, Supernato, Booyah swimming frog, and a new SPRO swimming frog introduced around ICAST 2026.
The new SPRO frog may be one of the biggest surprises of the episode. After fishing it around vegetation and open water and catching quality bass, John says it could potentially replace the Supernato — a frog that has been one of his favorites for more than a decade.

Link to frogs used right here: https://jakes-bait-and-tackle.shoplightspeed.com/frog/

You’ll also learn:
• When to throw a popping frog
• When to use a walking frog over grass
• Why finesse frogs catch pressured bass
• When swimming frogs outperform traditional hollow-body frogs
• How frog softness affects hookup percentage
• Why premium frogs can sometimes outperform cheaper options
• How to fish frogs over grass mats and around open water
• John’s preferred frog rod and line setup
• Why he uses 40–50 lb braided line
• How long to wait before setting the hook on a frog bite
• Which frogs professional tournament anglers are using
• John’s favorite new frog from ICAST 2026
Frog Fishing Setup
John’s typical setup:
Rod: Heavy-power, fast-action frog rod
Line: 40 lb braided line
Heavy vegetation: Up to 50 lb braid
Leader: Straight braid to the frog
One of John’s biggest frog-fishing tips is to avoid setting the hook immediately after the bass explodes on the bait. Give the fish time to take the frog before driving the hooks home.
Frogs Featured
Popping Frogs
• Gavacho Frog
• Deps Buster K
Walking Frogs
• Berkley Swamp Lord
• Scum Frog
Finesse Frogs
• 6th Sense finesse frog
• Deps Slither K
Swimming Frogs
• Supernato
• New SPRO swimming frog
• Booyah paddle-tail frog
If you fish for largemouth bass around grass, lily pads, vegetation, shallow cover, or open-water grass edges, this is a frog-fishing breakdown you’ll want to save.
Check out the frog selection at Jake’s Bait & Tackle and let us know in the comments:
What’s YOUR favorite frog for bass fishing?
Subscribe to Fishing the DMV for more bass fishing reports, techniques, tackle breakdowns, interviews, and fishing information from Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!! https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at fishingtheDMV@gmail.com

Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/

Green Top: https://www.greentop.com/

Fishing Pro Tech: https://www.facebook.com/FishingProTech

Phone Number: (757) 566-1278 Email: lin@fishingprotech.us

Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168

Flint Financial Planning: https://www.flintfinancialplanning.com/

FITT Lures: https://bit.ly/4w5lgHt