03-25-2003, 03:32 PM
[cool]Don't know how much you guys have seen it in Utah, but there is currently a worldwide dieoff of frogs...of all species. Biologists are conducting frantic studies to determine the reasons for this phenomenon, and there have been some interesting theories presented...including gene alterations in the basic cell structures that affect the ability of male frogs to handle their part in the procreation process.
Before all that started happening, I have used frogs for bass, trout, pike and catfish. In many waters, frogs and tadpoles are a significant part of the food chain. You can fish tadpoles by hooking them up through the lips and fishing them with or without weight...or below a bobber, like minnows (where legal). Adult frogs can be hooked either through the lips or through one of the rear legs.
Some of the most exciting strikes I have ever witnessed have been on live frogs lobbed out next to the habitat of a big bass or northern.
In some of the high lakes of California's Sierras, I flip a small tadpole or frog out into the inlet delta where streams came it and watch the largest fish in the area race to see which one could get to it first. You can usually find frogs and tadpoles along the little trickle creeks that flow between lakes.
There are small salamanders once in awhile too, but I haven't had nearly as much luck with them, for trout. But, wherever you fish salamanders (water dogs) for bass, you will find them eagerly accepted. In fact, one of the deadliest baits for big bass during the spawning season is a "lizard"...a plastic bait with legs and a tail, that strongly resembles a salamander. Live salamanders, also known as spring lizards, are notorious for raiding the nests of spawning fish. When bass find one in the vacinity, they permanently remove it and take on some calories as well.
Some salamanders are protected, and some are on endangered species lists. Also, you should be aware that some of the brightly colored ones exude a milky substance from their skins that is toxic. This can make you, your kids or your pets very ill...if not worse. Some frogs and toads have this same type of protection. So be careful about kissing frogs. They do not all turn into princes or princesses. But you might be able to turn one into a big fish, if you do it right.
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Before all that started happening, I have used frogs for bass, trout, pike and catfish. In many waters, frogs and tadpoles are a significant part of the food chain. You can fish tadpoles by hooking them up through the lips and fishing them with or without weight...or below a bobber, like minnows (where legal). Adult frogs can be hooked either through the lips or through one of the rear legs.
Some of the most exciting strikes I have ever witnessed have been on live frogs lobbed out next to the habitat of a big bass or northern.
In some of the high lakes of California's Sierras, I flip a small tadpole or frog out into the inlet delta where streams came it and watch the largest fish in the area race to see which one could get to it first. You can usually find frogs and tadpoles along the little trickle creeks that flow between lakes.
There are small salamanders once in awhile too, but I haven't had nearly as much luck with them, for trout. But, wherever you fish salamanders (water dogs) for bass, you will find them eagerly accepted. In fact, one of the deadliest baits for big bass during the spawning season is a "lizard"...a plastic bait with legs and a tail, that strongly resembles a salamander. Live salamanders, also known as spring lizards, are notorious for raiding the nests of spawning fish. When bass find one in the vacinity, they permanently remove it and take on some calories as well.
Some salamanders are protected, and some are on endangered species lists. Also, you should be aware that some of the brightly colored ones exude a milky substance from their skins that is toxic. This can make you, your kids or your pets very ill...if not worse. Some frogs and toads have this same type of protection. So be careful about kissing frogs. They do not all turn into princes or princesses. But you might be able to turn one into a big fish, if you do it right.
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