Can't Win With Topwaters

[AJMichigan]

I've never had any luck fishing a topwater lure. Have tried 2 different fake frogs, a couple that look like fish, and one with a propeller. Have tried many different methods and have never had any luck, yet i constantly see bass jumping and what not (who doesn't)

 

What am i doing wrong?

[Stren_g]

What time of day are you fishing?

[AJMichigan]

What time of day are you fishing?

 

Have tried early morning to 10am and 5pm to 9:30pm. Never any luck.

[Chris007]

Hey, I feel your pain....but don't give up....I always start the morning off fishing with topwaters...not that you can't fish with them at different times of the day because you can......if I see bass feeding on shad close the surface I'll throw a topwater in the feeding area...... watch what others are doing with topwaters...I watch a lot of youtube videos and you can pick-up some pointers on how to fish them.......once you get the hang of it there is nothing better than watching a fish hit a topwater.....

 

Chris

[AJMichigan]

Hey, I feel your pain....but don't give up....I always start the morning off fishing with topwaters...not that you can't fish with them at different times of the day because you can......if I see bass feeding on shad close the surface I'll throw a topwater in the feeding area...... watch what others are doing with topwaters...I watch a lot of youtube videos and you can pick-up some pointers on how to fish them.......once you get the hang of it there is nothing better than watching a fish hit a topwater.....

 

Chris

 

Have watched many youtube videos on how to fish them, and have done exactly what the videos say, still no luck. maybe it's the area I fish. Same spot I always fish I never see anyone using topwaters, and I've been fishing that spot for 4 years. However, it's not really a big deal to me. I consistently catch big bass in that spot with other lures.

[Stren_g]

Chris007 has a good point, but you're fishing them when I would most of the time. Maybe the bass see you or get spooked by the splash. Try casting onto the bank and hopping the frog easily into the water if you can. Definitely check out YouTube, lots of good info there. Just keep at it!

[AJMichigan]

Chris007 has a good point, but you're fishing them when I would most of the time. Maybe the bass see you or get spooked by the splash. Try casting onto the bank and hopping the frog easily into the water if you can. Definitely check out YouTube, lots of good info there. Just keep at it!

 

I dont have a boat, and am a shore fisherman unless I go with someone that has a boat, so unfortuantely I can't really throw it onto the bank and then insert it into the water. Good advice though, i'll keep that in mind if I go with a buddy who has a boat soon.

[iabass8]

I noticed in your post you didn't mention anything about spooks or "walk the dog" style baits. Have you tried these or even a pop-r? More times than not schooling fish love spooks walked in a fast manner. You could also try a fluke style soft jerkbait on the top of the water.

[Stren_g]

+1 on spooks and walkin the dog

[AJMichigan]

I noticed in your post you didn't mention anything about spooks or "walk the dog" style baits. Have you tried these or even a pop-r? More times than not schooling fish love spooks walked in a fast manner. You could also try a fluke style soft jerkbait on the top of the water.

 

Honesty hour, I have no idea what spooks or walk the dog baits are.

[Stren_g]

Look up Zara spooks on YouTube, they're my favorite top water lure.

[AJMichigan]

Look up Zara spooks on YouTube, they're my favorite top water lure.

 

Will do, appreciate it

[iabass8]

Honesty hour, I have no idea what spooks or walk the dog baits are.

 

That's okay. The most popular brand would be Hedon. They make the "Zara Spook" in a variety of sizes and are sold at just about every fishing store imaginable, even wal mart. They are a cigar shaped hard bait that when at rest sits vertical in the water and when retrieved correctly the come up on plane on the top of the surface of the water and dartfrom left to right. making the bait do this can take some patience but it's all about cadence and moving the slack in your line, not the bait with your rod. you tube zara spook and there are hundreds of videos. This bait is probably your answer. 

[AJMichigan]

That's okay. The most popular brand would be Hedon. They make the "Zara Spook" in a variety of sizes and are sold at just about every fishing store imaginable, even wal mart. They are a cigar shaped hard bait that when at rest sits vertical in the water and when retrieved correctly the come up on plane on the top of the surface of the water and dartfrom left to right. making the bait do this can take some patience but it's all about cadence and moving the slack in your line, not the bait with your rod. you tube zara spook and there are hundreds of videos. This bait is probably your answer. 

 

Just watched a few videos and I've seen these before, just wasn't sure what they were called or how to use them. I think I have something similar in my 3rd tackle box (the one my uncle gave me last year). Maybe i'll try it out next time i get out.

 

Thanks for the help guys.

[Bluebasser86]

Get a buzzbait or two. If you can fish a spinnerbait you can fish a buzzbait. Smaller ones like a Booyah Pond Magic will catch all sizes of fish and are easy to fish.

[BuckMaxx]

A couple things that pop into my head are topwaters It is one of the most effective. I have an arsenal of different topwaters from frogs to buzzbaits to spooks. If you put your bait in a spot you think might hold a bass stop it and let it sit twitch it and really try to get them to bite it. A buzzbait, I throw it then click my reel over once it gets to where I want it So the wheels are turning when it hits the water, often this will trigger a strike instantly. Another thing is if possible throw it up on the bank and crank it into the water.

Contrary to popular belief bass will hit a topwater at anytime in the day. The only difference is you might have to get it tighter to cover. Also fish it parrell to say a weed line or a dock over plunkin it in at the edge creating a large splash.

[bigbill]

Ok what works for me is the old 1,   2,    3,  pause,   then repeat etc. With propbaits, poppers(rebel popr) s

and spooks. The spooks will automatically walk the dog for you with the 1,  2,  3,  pause action. But each

one two three action must be even and exactly equal and exactly the same distance. The fish look for flaws in our presentations so they will follow like a torpedo boat making a practice run but won't strike. Try using scents and wash your hands before going fishing.

 

Work on your presentations till you get them exactly correct. As you practice the fish will interrupt you when you got it down right.

 

 

One more trick is don't cast into the fish I like to cast past them and bring the lures past them but not exactly where they might be located at this way we don't spook them. Fish gentle and stealthy don't cast hard into the water.

 

Try early mornings and late evenings when fishing from shore too

[Mccallister25]

+1 on the pop-r. If your looking to get one, get the big one. Iv had better luck on the bigger ones, as apposed to the smaller pop-r's.

[AJMichigan]

Can you guys do me a favor and link me to some websites with good pop-r's?

[FrogFreak]

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned specifically is patience and confidence. I think they go hand in hand but if you are confident a lure will work, then you'll have the patience to fish it correctly. I've been out with buddies who will tie something on, throw it out 3 times, say it doesn't work,and put it back in their tackle box. I think I read or saw something on this site about limiting your tackle one day to the type of bait you want to get better using. That way you aren't tempted to go back to your comfortable bait. So my advice is to commit before you get on the water (or the shore) to a couple top water lures and work them. Be patient. Bass can't stand it when a bait just sits there. I've left my frog alone for up to 3 minutes before twitching it. I assume every time I throw my frog that there's a bass looking at it from below. I hope this helps!

[bigbill]

Do not over hand cast, try side casting so the fish aren't spooked. I like to cast past the area where I think 

the fish are and work my lure near them. I cast past the Lilly pads and stay away from them making the

bass come out after my lure.

 

Now with topwater poppers or spooks I like the one, two, three twitch method then pause then repeat it. You move it even three times, then pause.  This movement has to be exactly even. The fish look for flaws

In our presentations. Now with the spooks and the one, two, three method you will automatically walk the dog by increasing the length of the twitch.

 

Practice it and the fish will let you know when you get it right.

[Scorcher214]

You need a Spook, and a cloudy day. Learn to walk the dog and you'll hook a few.

[Bluebasser86]

Can you guys do me a favor and link me to some websites with good pop-r's?

The best

http://www.basspro.com/XCalibur-XZ3-Zell-Pop-Hardbaits/product/74308/

The classic

http://www.basspro.com/Rebel-PopR/product/2954/

[bigbill]

Websites;

 

Bass Pro Shops

 

Cabelas

 

Vimage

 

Brannans

 

These are all good places to deal with,  brannans is in Texas and those Texas boys sure do know there baits. Some good discounts and buys at vimage too.