Chuck56 Loc: Texas

Tried many over the years, for sure. In my opinion there is not 1 best. And opinions vary. Lol but works best for me is a topwater soft frog fished in the weeds / grass and a 130 sized whopper plopper fished around stick ups , logs, or anywhere you don’t cast into grass. It works very well if you fish it above grass too. You can use the same rod / reel for both bait types, and be sure to use braid fishing line for both, as braid floats. Now when you set the hook, that is the difference . With the soft frog, slam the hook home , pulling the rod straight back over your head / shoulder area. With the whopper plopper, snap your wrist to set the hook, then pull the rod by rotating your body to the left or right, keeping the rod parallel to your shoulders or a little lower. With both types of hook - set , keep tension on the line until you get the fish to your hands or net...My 2cents

Stealthfisher Loc: Virginia

Recently I have had a lot of luck with a Whooper Plooper. You can steady retrieve it leaving a bubble trail or plop it short bursts kinda like a frog.
I have always liked to use a buzz bait. Something about the sound it makes. And of course a frog jumping and darting in the pads always entices a bite but I must admit for me the fish seem to short strike it the most.

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

I like your hook set instructions. Question, what is your wait time between seeing the hit and slamming the hook home? Thx