Topwater Tricks

I can't imagine a bass angler not enjoying topwater fishing or seeing a fish explode on a topwater bait. Excitement aside, lures worked on the water surface are effective tools for triggering strikes and should always be a part of your arsenal from late spring through fall.

After bass spawn (and sometimes before it), much of what they eat can be found on or near the surface. Schools of freshly hatched baitfish and other minnows swarm the surface so bass are dialed into any activity on the top.

Also, post-spawn bass can be a little lethargic, and their strike zones shrink. A topwater can be worked seductively so it stays in the fish's face longer.

Although water temperatures in the 70s or higher tend to bring out the best topwater fishing, don't be afraid to try them in cooler water. Some of the biggest limits I've caught have come on topwater lures fished in water in the upper 50s.

I always have at least one tied to one of my rods, even when I'm fishing entirely different patterns.

The type of lure you choose should depend upon lake conditions and the area you're fishing. For example, I love Zara Spooks when the water is clear and there is a little chop. If it's slick and clear, I'll downsize and opt for a more subtle presentation, such as a popper, baby Zara Spook or even a Mann's SHADow soft-plastic jerkbait, and twitch it on the surface. If there is a lot of wind or the water is stained, I prefer a noisier version, like a chugger, buzzbait or propeller-style topwater that creates a lot of disturbance on the water.

Line size is an important consideration when fishing a Pop-R or other chuggers. Bigger line, such as 17- and 20-pound monofilament, enables the lure to work more effectively because it floats better. Smaller lines tend to sink and inhibit the side-to-side or spitting action on topwaters.

Spooks, on the other hand, work better on 14-pound line. When fishing a Spook, tie a king-sling knot or another knot that puts a loop ahead of the lure and enhances the action.

If you have to use a smaller line for topwaters, consider coating the last few feet with fly-line dressing, which will prevent it from sinking.

Lure size and color should be dictated by the average size of the bass in the lake or the clarity of the water. If it's stained, larger sizes and brighter colors help the fish find the lure better. Smaller, colorless or clear-bodied lures are more appropriate for clear lakes where bass feed by sight and you're trying to disguise the bait's appearance. However, if you're fishing at night or on a dark, gloomy day, darker lures might be better.

Don't forget weedless topwaters such as rubber frogs or the Mann's Rat when fishing over matted grass or gunk. These lures are extremely effective for getting bass to blow through matted vegetation. I suggest you fish them on superline because of its strength and lack of stretch for better hook-setting capabilities.

Perhaps the best tip for fishing topwaters is to always have a "follow-up" lure rigged and ready for those fish that strike topwaters and miss. Some of my favorites are plastic worms rigged wacky-style or a Mann's SHADow. A bass may be reluctant to strike a topwater for a second time, but it can't resist a slow-falling soft-plastic lure placed in the same vicinity where it missed the topwater.

BASSIN' Magazine May 2003