Which Topwater And When

[coryn h. fishowl]

Due to my ability to use common sense I quite enjoy topwater fishing, but I've always been confused as to which lures are better for what conditions.  When is it better to toss out a skitterpop vs a zara spook (my favs) or a buzzbiat instead of a rebel pop r or skitterprop or other propeller bait. S.O.S.

Thank in advance

[Scott F]

If there is a better time to choose one over the other, I let the fish tell me when that is. Once the water temp hits 60, I'll pick one, and switch until I find one that works.

[Marty]

Like Scott said, let the fish tell you. There are a few things you could consider, in my opinion. Obviously, a buzzbait can be used in some weedy conditions where treble hooks can't be used. I also have more confidence in buzzbaits in choppy water.

 

If you want to cover water, lures like walking baits and Jitterbugs can be used. If you want to thoroughly explore a small area you can use poppers because you can make them pop without moving the bait very much.

 

Of course, things aren't that simple, but some lures can do a given job better (or maybe I should say differently) than others.

[papajoe222]

I'll start out using walking baits under calm conditions. poppers or chuggers if there's a little chop on the surface and prop baits if there's a good chop on the water, buzzbaits get the nod when I'm fishing specific targets or looking for active fish and covering water.  I'll experiment with different speed retrieves before opting to change to a different type topwater.

[gotarheelz14]

As much truth as there is to "let the fish tell you," it doesn't really make sense as an answer when someone is asking a question like this. I think what most users want is some pointers or personal experience, in other words, what has worked personally for YOU in the past. 

When the bite is tough but I know fish should be feeding on topwaters, I will throw a small popper. Also, I like throwing poppers when there are a lot of emerging forms of cover that come up out of the water. For instance, I will throw a popper, work it for three or four pops, and pause it next to wood, or lilly pad openings. This works extremely well when fish are holding on cover. I also really like throwing poppers when fish are in somewhat of a lethargic mode. 

I like throwing buzz baits mostly during spring or when I know bass are on the move and feeding heavily. Do not be afraid to work it fast, fast, fast. Also, don't be afraid to work it slow either. I would say that here in NC where I live, the next month or maybe even two will be GOLDEN for buzz bait fishing. I also like to throw buzz baits where there is a lot of emerging forms of cover. I also find that it works extremely well when throwing into shallow flats. You can really cover a lot of water and fish can see the bait really good in these situations. 

 

When fishing a lot of leafy cover and vegetation, I will throw a frog of some type. If I would have otherwise wanted to throw a buzz bait but the vegetation is too thick, I will throw a horny toad. If I am around lilly pads, want to fish more of a popper style bait or I am looking for a bigger bite, I will throw something like a spro frog. 

Spooks and other walk the dog type baits have worked best for me when the fish are really keying in on shad. I have actually had more success with this bait, personally, when the water is a little bit clearer. From my experience, this is a really good all around bait and works wonders on open water. It is a really good search bait. 
 

You should definitely experiment. The fish in the particular body of water may also just prefer one bait over the other. As others have said, "let the fish tell you." However, the above I believe are pretty good general ideas of what you can look for---they have certainly worked well for me. 

 

---Carlos

[Mr_Scrogg]

Nice read, Carlos.

 

Personally, I let what kind of cover I'm fishing dictate what I use.  Submerged cover that comes within a few inches of the water surface, Buzzbait, Walk the dog, or Wakebait.  Not so thick vegetation that comes to the surface.  i.e Coontail, Waterwillow, Milfoil, then I'm throwing a Toad.  Horny Toad or Ribbit.  Thick of the thickest vegetation, Hollowfrog.  Those are the baits that I mainly use.  Never really got into poppers too much.  I will be trying Prop Baits more this year.  Like the Devil's Horse and such. 

[coryn h. fishowl]

When the bite is tough but I know fish should be feeding on topwaters, I will throw a small popper. Also, I like throwing poppers when there are a lot of emerging forms of cover that come up out of the water. For instance, I will throw a popper, work it for three or four pops, and pause it next to wood, or lilly pad openings. This works extremely well when fish are holding on cover. I also really like throwing poppers when fish are in somewhat of a lethargic mode. 

I like throwing buzz baits mostly during spring or when I know bass are on the move and feeding heavily. Do not be afraid to work it fast, fast, fast. Also, don't be afraid to work it slow either. I would say that here in NC where I live, the next month or maybe even two will be GOLDEN for buzz bait fishing. I also like to throw buzz baits where there is a lot of emerging forms of cover. I also find that it works extremely well when throwing into shallow flats. You can really cover a lot of water and fish can see the bait really good in these situations. 

Spooks and other walk the dog type baits have worked best for me when the fish are really keying in on shad. I have actually had more success with this bait, personally, when the water is a little bit clearer. From my experience, this is a really good all around bait and works wonders on open water. It is a really good search bait. 

 

 

---Carlos

I have almost no experience w/ buzzbaits, (though I do keep skitter props,) and decent experience with zara's. I may not be the most accurate caster but I do like to work poppers by hard edges i.e. topwater weeds, shallow submerged brush, and have a tendency to use zara spooks over shallow grass and coontail.  I swim in a lake before I fish it, since I don't have a bass boat with gadgets, this lets me explore the geography of the pond and actually see where bass hang out. They are really bold around snorkelers. MY point being, I've learned that in thick shallow weedbeds I know there are travel routes, this is what I typically reserve a zara for

[gotarheelz14]

I have almost no experience w/ buzzbaits, (though I do keep skitter props,) and decent experience with zara's. I may not be the most accurate caster but I do like to work poppers by hard edges i.e. topwater weeds, shallow submerged brush, and have a tendency to use zara spooks over shallow grass and coontail.  I swim in a lake before I fish it, since I don't have a bass boat with gadgets, this lets me explore the geography of the pond and actually see where bass hang out. They are really bold around snorkelers. MY point being, I've learned that in thick shallow weedbeds I know there are travel routes, this is what I typically reserve a zara for

 

That's awesome man. As always, please be careful when swimming or snorkeling. There was a really popular story here where i'm from that involved the drowning of a young man swimming in a pond. His dad was fishing with him and when his son didn't come up he drowned too. Really sad stuff. 

But yeah, if I was a little more adventurous, I would probably snorkel too lol! Nothing like getting a first hand view at what's down there. 

[mjseverson24]

my take on topwater baits is this. If I am searching for fish, I will use buzzbaits, walk the dog baits, and soft plastic frogs(ribbit). these are all relatively fast moving baits and can help locate fish. If I am fishing a specific cover and the fish are probabily holding tight to it, I will use a slow bait like a popper and or a hollow bodie frog( I also slow roll walk the dog baits). when you pop and hop these baits and just let them sit it drives the big ones crazy. I feel you spend more time in the strike zone with the frog and poppers, and use them much more often then the others. I dont use wake and prop baits very often, the conditions have to be just right. 

 

Mitch

[thehooligan]

Well said carlos, my exact thoughts

[ww2farmer]

Frog, all year long, and in any condition. They are not just for heavy cover.

[SENKOSAM]

There are times when the topwater bite is on and the type of bait used (hard or soft) doesn't seem to matter much if it can be worked without getting caught on vegetation. The spawn is usually a no-brainer and fish that are hanging out waiting to spawn are susceptible to lures cast to within eight feet or less. If the lure breaks the surface and causes ripples and splashes, it'll get hit. One pound bass are extremely touchy and smack spooks, poppers and YUM Money Bugs like the intruders they are to it's mating area. They travel the distance. Other more sedate pre-spawners need the lure to come to them for an ambush style hit.

 

Water temperature and weed growth coincide though not directly. If temps are above 55, expect weed growth to be well on its way toward surface. This is the case in the northern climate zone when water still doesn't exhibit much of a green stain and is moderately clear in shallow water areas. The need for weed is essential in my book for topwater at this time of year.

 

Cloudy days also offset lack of weeds that haven't made it to the surface and fish are more tempted to venture into the shallows if the water temperature is above 50. On those days, rock walls and hard shallow structure also seem to have potential for topwater. Being that fish are still spooky, long casts and stealth make for more hits in a 30 yard stretch.

 

There may be eight different topwater baits fish will hit in one period or day depending on irritability and water conditions. At other times only a few types might invite some hits, either ambush or from afar. Experiment. (Personally  I like the challenge of catching bass on different lure types to include the old classics like the Torpedo, Spook and buzzbait.)

 

All of the above might not apply to the state you fish in, but I'd bet it would be a close bet.

[Bankbeater]

I like jitterbugs in the early morning, or at night.  Buzzbaits in the early evening, and frogs in the slop.