Hollow-Body Frog
Topwater — hollow-body frog
The hollow-body frog is a weedless topwater walked over matted grass, pads and wood where other baits snag. Bass crush it through the cover in violent blowups — on grass lakes like LBJ and Canyon it is the most exciting bite in Central Texas bass fishing.
Why: The most exciting bite there is.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Frog Fishing · Grass / Hydrilla Fishing · All bass lures
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 12, 2026
Why it works
Its weedless design fishes cover nothing else can, and the walking action over mats triggers explosive strikes.
Brands that make this style: Berkley Swamp Lord sponsor, SPRO Bronzeye Frog, Strike King KVD Sexy Frog
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Hollow-Body Frog at a glance
- Family
- Topwater
- Sizes
- 2.5 in
- Weights
- 1/2-5/8 oz
- Water temp
- 65-92°F
- Skill level
- ●●●○○
- Bryan's confidence
- ●●●●○
Catches: Largemouth Bass
When to throw it
Best conditions: Summer Heat / Dog Days, Cloud Cover, Calm / Slick Conditions
Where to throw it
Depth: 0-4 ft; cover: Grass, Pads, Wood; structure: Matted Grass, Lily Pads, Laydowns.
How to fish it
Rig it with: Frog Fishing, Grass / Hydrilla Fishing.
Retrieve: Walk and pause across cover, slowing in pockets and holes; hesitate on the blowup before setting.
Color selection
By water clarity — Clear: natural, bluegill · Stained: black, white
By forage — Bluegill: bluegill, natural
Lakes where it produces
Lake Travis · Lake Austin · Lake Buchanan · Lake LBJ · Inks Lake · Stillhouse Hollow · Lake Bastrop · Fayette County · Lake Falcon · Canyon Lake
Common mistakes
- Setting the instant it blows up
- Line too light to pull fish from cover
- Not tuning the frog to walk straight
Pro tips
- Count "one-thousand-one" after the blowup before setting
- Trim the legs and add rattles to tune it
From Bryan's logbook
Based on Bryan Cotter's on-the-water observations.
The hydrilla on Canyon is the thickest I've ever seen it and the largemouth are in it good. It's also one of the best places to catch a 'mean mouth' - a hybrid between two black bass species - and I've put clients on some of the biggest in the lake.
You should see how these big Falcon bass blow up on a frog when that bite is on - it's like a bomb going off. You haven't caught a real largemouth until you've caught one here.
Keep exploring
All bass lures · Frog Fishing · All techniques · Central Texas bass fishing guide
Want to catch 'em on a Hollow-Body Frog? All tackle is provided on a guided trip. See rates and book or call 512-762-0190.