Doctoring Topwater Baits

[airborne_angler]

A local guy I've gone fishing with uses a Rebel Popr almost exclusively. I've seen him catch some really nice fish everytime he goes out. One thing he does is gets some Storm Suspenstrips and wraps the very rear of the body with one. He says this allows the bait to remain almost vertical on the pause, and when he starts his retrieve again it creates a much louder, more pronounced "blooping" sound.

Anyone else ever use this trick? What other tricks are there for doctoring topwaters?

[papajoe222]

On walking lures I'll add a little weight to the tail also, to get the tail of the lure down.  This also hinders forward movement of the lure which is beneficial when target casting.  The other thing I do is add an oval split ring to the eye so that it can swing freely. 

On all my top water hard baits, I add a splash of red on the underside and switch the front hook to a red one.  Although it isn't actually doctoring the lure, I'll add a FrontRunner about a foot and a half in front of hard baits in the spring and again in the fall.

On buzzbaits, I'll crimp down the rivet behind the blade to keep it from moving while the blade rubs against it and if the water is dead calm, I'll use a bait that I've drilled a few holes in the blade so there is more of a bubble trail.

Hollow frogs, get added weight in the form of pieces of old plastic worms and if the weeds are matted or really thick, I'll add a jig rattle or two.  I also like the legs shorter than most manufactures supply and if I know I'll be bringing it over a lot of open water, I'll add a split ring to the eye so I can walk it easier once it reaches it.

[gramps50]

I like Rebel Poprs and have had a little luck with them last fall. Never heard of that trick but it makes sense, I'll have to give it a try. I really don't have any tips to share as I just started fishing with lures last summer. Up till then I was always a live bait guy.

[derekxec]

i like some weight on the back also especially cause some poppers its not easy to get a good "pop" every time but when you add some weight it gives it more dig for a nicer pop

[kickerfish1]

I haven't doctored any topwater baits but do think the MB x-pod is a pretty cool adjustable lure for topwater. Basically a wake bait, spook, and popper style depending upon how the lip is adjusted. Other than this bait I just fish my topwaters as is out of package.

[SirSnookalot]

The 2 top water lures I use in fresh water are a Matzuo (hooks do get replaced) and 3/8 Storm chug bug, both lures move water well and stay suspended on the pause, no doctoring is needed.

I have no preference one over the other.

[rockchalk06]

A local guy I've gone fishing with uses a Rebel Popr almost exclusively. I've seen him catch some really nice fish everytime he goes out. One thing he does is gets some Storm Suspenstrips and wraps the very rear of the body with one. He says this allows the bait to remain almost vertical on the pause, and when he starts his retrieve again it creates a much louder, more pronounced "blooping" sound.

Anyone else ever use this trick? What other tricks are there for doctoring topwaters?

I'm going to try this on one of mine and see what it does. I bought a bunch of Strike King spit n shads this year to test so this may be the ticket