Choosing And Using
Topwater Lures

WHEN & WHERE TO USE TOPWATER LURES

• Post-Spawn through fall — Most bass experts begin casting surface baits in spring, once the water temperature tops 65 degrees. This roughly coincides with the post-spawn period, the time when bass leave their bedding areas and resume active feeding. The topwater bite normally continues through summer and fall, then diminishes once the water cools below 50 degrees in late autumn. But as with most bass fishing "rules," there are exceptions. On the Tournament Trail, big bass have been caught on stickbaits in 45 degree water, and on buzzbaits during snowstorms!

• Around Shallow cover — Bass hanging around shallow wood, weeds and rocks in reservoirs and natural lakes will often smash a lure, creating a ruckus on the surface, and can sometimes be provoked into striking by making repeated casts to a likely target.

• On main lake structure — In clear lakes, bass often suspend around points, underwater humps and drop-offs and will swim surprising distances to strike a surface bait.

• In streams and rivers — Bass in these environments are highly attuned to feeding on creatures swimming from one bank to another.

• When bass are schooling — In summer and fall, large numbers of bass often chase baitfish to the surface, where a feeding frenzy takes place. Be alert for fish breaking water or birds circling and diving on injured baitfish. In this scenario, a topwater presentation is virtually guaranteed to draw a strike.

TOPWATER STYLES

Surface baits come in many varieties, each designed for specific fishing situations. Make sure you have at least one style in your tacklebox.

• Floating minnow - (Examples: Original Floating Rapala, AC Shiner, Bomber Pro Long A, XCalibur Xt3 Twitch Bait, XCalibur Xs4 Stick Bait) These subtle surface lures are most effective on bass in clear water, especially at the beginning and end of the topwater season. Pointer: Try a floating minnow around bedding areas in shallow coves. Use a light action spinning outfit and 6 to 8 lb. mono. Cast, twitch the rod tip gently then let the lure rest several seconds before twitching it again.

• Popper/Chugger - (Hula Popper, Rebel Pop R) Distinguishing characteristics include a scooped out face and a tail made of feathers or rubber strands. When the rod is jerked, the lure makes a loud popping sound; some even spit water. Pointer: Use poppers and chuggers when bass are holding in a confined area, such as in weedbeds growing just beneath the surface. Cast, pop the lure once or twice, then allow it to sit motionless.

• Prop bait - (Devils Horse, Tiny Torpedo, Woodchopper) Spinning propellers and one or both ends create maximum commotion when the lure is ripped repeatedly across the surface. Pointer: Use a prop bait in choppy water and when it's overcast or raining. Retie frequently, the props can nick your line during casts.

• Stickbaits - (Zara Spook, Frenzy Walker) An erratic lure requiring some skill on the angler's part to retrieve properly. Try it on large main lake structures such as points, humps and flats. Deadly on bass suspending in clear water. Pointer: Fish a stickbait on a medium action 6 foot baitcasting rod with 14 lb. mono. "Walk the dog" by snapping the line with sharp downward strokes of the rod tip while turning the reel handle with each stroke.

• Wobbler - (Jitterbug, Crazy Crawler) When reeled slowly and steadily, jerky side-to-side action creates maximum surface commotion to attract explosive strikes. Pointer: Wobblers mimic live frogs. Retrieve parallel to grassy banks in ponds and natural lakes, especially at daybreak and dusk.

• Buzzbait - (Strike King Tri Wing Buzz King, BOOYAH Pond Magic Buzz) Similar in construction to a spinnerbait, this is one of the noisiest surface lures. Use it in shallow water around laydown logs and grassy shorelines. Pointer: Buzzbaits are big fish lures. Use stout tackle and heavy, abrasion resistant line when fishing them.

• Scumbait - (Rat, Spro Bronzeye Frog) Usually made of soft plastic with upswept hooks, these critter mimics are designed to be crawled over lillypads and matted vegetation. Pointer: Fish a frog or rat on a flipping stick with at least 20 lb. mono. The long rod facilitates longer casts, lifts your line off the grass and helps power a lunker bass out of dense weeds and slop.