I fish a lot of tiny frog patterns for panfish. We have a few minuscule aquatic frogs in my neck of the woods that range in size from 1/2 inch to 2 1/2 inches long. Our Northern Cricket Frog, which is found in a few of my local waters, is a tiny 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches in length. I am sure that these smaller sized frogs find their way into a big bluegill's stomach on occasion. Any frog around an inch long is undoubtedly small enough for most panfish to consume.

My micro frog is created by using one of our Panfish Slider Bodies and Pat Cohen's Creature Frog Legs. The Creature Frog Legs are an easy way to turn any topwater fly pattern into a froggy looking offering. The legs are available in a wide range of sizes from Micro (3/4" inch long) up to the X-Large (3.5" long), allowing you to tie a frog pattern for everything from pike to panfish!

Since the slider bodies are preformed and pre-painted, you simply tie on the legs, some hackle, and add some leg material if desired. It may be a simple fly, but it is absolutely deadly on big panfish. We all know that bass and other predators have a hard time passing up a frog if one presents itself. Don't be surprised if one grabs your micro frog instead of a bluegill!

Pattern Recipe:

Hook: Panfish Slider Body in your color of choice

Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed 6/0 color to match

Tail: Cohens Creature Frog Legs - Micro or Mini size will both work on the slider bodies depending on the size frog you wish to create

Hackle: Rooster hackle in your color of choice. Chartreuse Grizzly Ewing hackle used here.

Legs: Round rubber or silicon leg material in your color of choice. A tool like Zuddy’s Leg Puller makes the job of threading legs through the body material a breeze!