Hollow Body Frog Fishing on Lake Conway
Lake Conway · Arkansas · South Central
This expansive, shallow lake is characterized by vast stands of cypress trees, flooded timber, and a labyrinth of stump fields, making it a unique fishery. Its stained water conditions and abundant cover provide excellent habitat for a thriving largemouth bass population.
A soft, hollow body with two upturned hooks that rides over surface vegetation completely weedless. Work it across mats, let it fall into pockets, and work it around pad edges. When a bass grabs it from below, the soft body collapses and the hooks drive home. Big-fish technique — frog fishing consistently produces 4+ pound fish.
Hollow Body Frog Setup for Lake Conway
| Rod | 7'3"–7'6" heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1–8.1:1 baitcaster |
| Line | 50–65 lb braid (no stretch, cuts through grass, positive hooksets) |
| Weight | 1/2–5/8 oz (BOOYAH Pad Crasher, Livetarget Frog, Spro Bronze Eye) |
Seasonal Tactics on Lake Conway
Lake: As water temperatures rise, bass push into the shallow cypress trees and newly emerging lily pads, becoming highly susceptible to flipping jigs and buzzing spinnerbaits around visible cover.
Hollow Body Frog: Fish the edges of sparse early grass and around pads as water warms above 60°F.
Lake: During the warmer months, largemouth relate to dense hydrilla mats and the deeper pockets within the flooded timber, often requiring punching tactics or early morning topwater presentations.
Hollow Body Frog: Prime season. Work across matted grass and punch into pockets. Midday bite can be excellent under mats.
Lake: Bass scatter and actively chase baitfish throughout the lake's abundant cover, making squarebill crankbaits and bladed jigs effective as they follow shad migrations.
Hollow Body Frog: Fish open pockets in dying grass. Work slowly as fish become less aggressive.
Lake: Fish generally congregate in the deeper creek channels and around isolated timber, necessitating slow, methodical presentations with jigs or small plastics in key ambush points.
Hollow Body Frog: Not applicable — bass leave shallow vegetation in cold water.
Best Conditions
Thick grass mats, lily pads, surface vegetation, shallow water in summer, post-spawn through fall, morning and evening
Wait on the hookset. After the explosion, lower the rod tip slightly and wait until you feel pressure before sweeping hard. Premature hooksets cost half your fish.
More Techniques for Lake Conway
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