The slop is one of my most productive frog patterns. Fishing this pattern can be intimidating because the fish can be anywhere at any time. This pattern can produce frustration, fish, and everything in between.
Slop is a layer of organic “stuff” that is formed from grass beds below the water’s surface. This layer blocks the sun and consequently kills the grass below, which creates waterways for fish to travel. Fish freely travel these waterways because they feel protected by the cover above.
I like to fish this pattern from my kayak because it provides maximum stealth. I paddle (quietly) to a spot before the edge of the slop. I deploy my DIY pole anchor. I aim my rod to 12 O’clock, cast towards the bank, and slowly retrieve my frog to create a V-wake. I then makes casts to 1 O’clock, 2 O’clock, 11 O’clock, and 10 O’clock. If after these five casts, I get no blow ups or hits, I move and repeat until I find fish. I consider this is a power-finesse method because I cover a lot of water via slow retrieve. The bumps can be subtle and the bites can be explosive. On my last trip, I had a fish engulf my KVD Sexy Frog as it jumped completely out of the water! The visual memory of that fish in flight still triggers my adrenaline!
The next time you are out on the water, apply this method on a slop. Be patient. Keep eye-to-frog contact. And you will catch more fish, and less frustration.
