Lures i can't get to work for me

[Chris W.]

I have a hula popper i got a bass on once. A jointed jitterbug, crazy crawler, frog and chartreuse mouse, and some creature baits. How do i fish each one and when? I want to fish topwater so bad but no luck ever.

[basser223]

The jitterbug and hula popper are the two lures first learned to use. The way you fish topwater should always depend on what the temp is. faster for warm water for cold water pause it shorter slow pops

[Chris W.]

Ill bass always strike top? And in open water?

[Osprey39]

Ill bass always strike top? And in open water?

Not in my experience.  Topwaters work best in early morning, late afternoon and cloudy skies.  In other words, low light.  I've never had much luck fishing top waters in bright sunshine. 

As far as open water goes, I assume you mean no emergent cover.  I've caught bass on topwaters in water that was 15-20 feet deep.  Fish will come up a good distance to get one but there has to be some sort of structure holding them in the area to begin with.  Obviously, if they are feeding at or near the surface, that's ideal.

[florida strain]

I want to fish topwater so bad but no luck ever.

 

pick up a rapala original floating minnow.f-11 or f-13 for l.m. really no wrong way to fish em.

[kms399]

I use them when ever the water is calm and have luck but i have the best luck in low light conditions. I use walk the dog style the most with a close second being poppers. i use them any where i catch fish with other baits. buzz baits are another good bait and very easy to work.

[Chris W.]

I want to fish topwater so bad but no luck ever.

pick up a rapala original floating minnow.f-11 or f-13 for l.m. really no wrong way to fish em.

I have a whole collection lol. I'm a pro at them haha

[Chaz Hickcox]

Ill bass always strike top? And in open water?

Growing up in Az I learned that top water is always a good way to go.  With those gin clear waters they will sit deep in the thermocline and will come up 15-20ft to hit a top water if it gets their attention.  However, there are much better ways to get to the fish than to hope to call em up.  It works, but isn't necessarily the best.  In skinny water, all you fish is topwater.  Here in Va the deepest part of the fish holding parts of the river are rarely deeper than 8 ft.  With that being said, top water is right on top of them compared to the aforementioned conditions in deep Az reservoirs.  Most of the fish here will be in 1-4 ft of water.  If you make enough noise under some shade there should be some good fish coming out to say hello.

[The Bassinator]

pick up a rapala original floating minnow.f-11 or f-13 for l.m. really no wrong way to fish em.

first jerkbait I ever fished and I nailed them on it 

[bassin is addicting]

black 3/8oz jitterbug.  parallel to the bank...over structure.  yes, open water too. 

early early morning...

and late evening as long as you can stay out at night.

i've fished it til dark and i can't see it....all you need to do is hear it....and then hear the explosion!!  wait for a couple seconds, don't try to "set the hook" too soon.  you'll be addicted.

[BrianSnat]

I fish topwater in the early morning, evening and at night. Sometimes during the day as long as its calm and cloudy and the fish are in shallow. With the hula popper I use the twitch and sit method. 1 quick twitch and let the popper sit for about 30 seconds, then another and repeat.  I also do that with a jitterbug, but will also slowly and steadily retrieve a jitterbug.

My favorite topwater lure is the Rapala Skitterpop

[Chris W.]

My crazy crawlers arms are riveted together. Tomorrow is supposed to rain until 8am, then be partly cloudy and high of 60. Would this be a good time for topwaters? I walk about 30 minutes to my spot through the woods (it's honestly a secret spot) so i want to pack the right boxes.

[Chaz Hickcox]

My crazy crawlers arms are riveted together. Tomorrow is supposed to rain until 8am, then be partly cloudy and high of 60. Would this be a good time for topwaters? I walk about 30 minutes to my spot through the woods (it's honestly a secret spot) so i want to pack the right boxes.

At that point if the water temp is right (Air temp is only an indication of water temp may be), you should be able to do well with a popper. Experiment with it and see what they want. Try a pop, pop, pop, pause retrieve, then a pop, pause, pop, pop, pause, or a sustained popping all the way back to ya. The best place to pause is near any kind of structure. If you know of any submerged structure this is cool. Also, If you can bounce it off a log into the water, pop it, then wait. I have had a lot of bass hit at that point.  When I say pause, let the rings on the water get about 5-7 ft away from your lure.