Top Water Bait For Spinning Rod?

[BuffaloBass716]

What types of top water baits would I be able to get away with with a MF spinning rod?  I want to use some sort or top water over submerged grass near the shore for LMB and possible further out in open water for Smallies. Any suggestions?

[georgeyew]

I have a Rapala popper that I used on my spinning rod as well as a jitterbug. I also have a 1/4oz buzzbait that I throw on the spinning rod too. They all work well.

[EvanT123]

Popper,super spook jr, gunfish 95, zara puppy, and on and on. I fish all these and more on a 7ft ml avid and love it.

[BuffaloBass716]

Popper,super spook jr, gunfish 95, zara puppy, and on and on. I fish all these and more on a 7ft ml avid and love it.

I was thinking some thing along the lines of a walking bait like the super spook jr or puppy.  Would the 1/4oz zara puppy cast a good distance with 10# PP?

[EvanT123]

I was thinking some thing along the lines of a walking bait like the super spook jr or puppy. Would the 1/4oz zara puppy cast a good distance with 10# PP?

I don't know what kind of rod you have but if it's rated anywhere around 1/8-3/8 try the junior but you may need you binoculars to see how far away it landed.

[BuffaloBass716]

I don't know what kind of rod you have but if it's rated anywhere around 1/8-3/8 try the junior but you may need you binoculars to see how far away it landed.

Haha Id rather be able to cast further because on stuck on the bank and covering the most water I can would definitely be fine with me.  I've never tried top water in the river I fish, but early in the morning before the sun gets too high and the boat traffic get unbearable is when I want to try it. 

[UKCats55]

I like to fish 3-4 inch minnow baits on spinning gear. Rebel minnows or Rapalas seem to work best. Cast them out and let them sit, twitch at first, then crank them and stop. Normally they hit it on the way back up. Good luck!!

[EvanT123]

Give it a try. All you have to lose is a few casts. There is nothing better than having a river smallie explode on a topwater.

I'll just add. If you are fishing rocky river banks don't focus so much on getting the lure into the middle of the river. I've had most of my hits within 10-20 feet of the banks being able to cover further down the bank is more important to me.

[Cgrinder]

I don't care for walking baits on spinning gear, but poppers I like.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Poppers under 3/8th oz and jitterbugs are the only topwaters I throw on a spinning rod.

[Stumphunter]

I have a local place like that with a lot of submerged grass. The grass is about a foot under the surface. I have had a lot of success with a broken back rapala. I will reel it in slow keeping it on top of surface using it as a wake bait, other times i will use a jerk then pause routine. Hope this helps and good luck...

[Bluebasser86]

You could fish a majority of topwaters on that rod. It isn't going to be the best option for a lot of them but you can do it. Very small poppers and walkers would be tough, as would large walking baits and buzzbaits. I wouldn't try to fish a frog on it but most any other topwater you could make it work for. It's hard for me to give some baits that require more manipulation the right action with a spinning rod but I'm sure it could be done with practice. 

 

For the situation you're describing I would look into a small buzzbait in the 1/4 or even 1/8 oz size or a smaller wake bait.

[Weld's Largemouth]

What types of top water baits would I be able to get away with with a MF spinning rod?  I want to use some sort or top water over submerged grass near the shore for LMB and possible further out in open water for Smallies. Any suggestions?

anything that floats

[AK-Jax86]

When I was just a spinning reel guy I threw everything on it. Frogs, buzzbaits, pop'r, walk the dog baits. Buddy of mine won't convert to a baitcast and he exclusivly uses spinning gear and he throws everything under the sun.

Convert to a baitcast is my advise

[fishballer06]

Torpedos, skitter pops, devils horse, spooks, small buzzbaits

[FrogTosser88]

I use the small strike king buzzbaits, small and med size poppers(bass pro and gary yamamato).

I for some reason love a flexible rod when it comes to these baits. The poppers especially are great with my med ugly stick. When I try them on my M/H casting gear, I have to be very gentle. With the spinning set up I can really pop it and the action looks great. Apparently the fish seem to feel the same way lol...

[DTack]

Honestly, when I take my girlfriend out on the boat she only uses a spinning rod.  I just put braid on it and call it done... yeah we would probably be in a bit of trouble if she hooked one over 5 but it would still be fun haha. 
It's not going to be ideal but if you put braid on that spinning rod you would be able to cast and hook fish (not with premium efficiency) pretty well.  From that list, buzzbaits, frogs, horny toads, spooks, poppers, prop baits...  You could definitely fish ALL of these on a spinning rod matched up with braid... once again it's not THE BEST way to fish it but it can be done and you can get some bites before you decide if you wanna buy a new setup.

[FrogFreak]

I enjoy throwing a popper on a med rod with a moderate action. I feel it allows the fish to get hooked up without my help. And I don't pull the lure out of the fish's mouth when I get excited. I use a Daiwa Lexa 100 matched up with an old Quantum rod (med Mod) that is just perfect for poppers and smaller cranks. But I used to use a spinner set up that worked great as well.

 

One thing to mention here, I wouldn't limit my top water fishing to the morning only. I have found that when the conditions are right, the top water bite can be an all day thing.

[BuffaloBass716]

Thanks for the help guys! I'm sure I can get the job done with the rod I have. I do want to get a baitcaster at some point but right now I just don't have the money.  

[iceintheveins]

Zara puppy, 1/4 ounce jitterbug, and skitterpops (though I can throw skitterpops fine on caster).

[Nick49]

Agree with earlier posters - Tiny Torpedo, smaller Jitterbug, and the Zara Puppy.

[IntroC]

I was thinking some thing along the lines of a walking bait like the super spook jr or puppy.  Would the 1/4oz zara puppy cast a good distance with 10# PP?

This would be a great setup for the spooks your using. I wouldn't be afraid to throw any topwater on spinning tackle. If need be, beef up the spinning rod your using and up the poundage of braid also. I know guys that use nothing but spinning tackle and they are at no disadvantage as the equipment is every bit as versatile as baitcasters.

[Choporoz]

When I find bass holding in grass that tops out at foot and half or two feet from the surface, I automatically try slow rolling shallow jerk baits inches below the surface....and I use floating, lipless cranks.  Both can be worked fine with spinning gear.  I've also recently tried mojo-rigged flukes through the top of the grass with some success -- also easy to do with spinning rod.

[A-Jay]

One of The Most Under rated surface (slightly sub-surface) Top water baits Ever ~

 

 

Rapala Sub Walk; especially in clear water and when fish are hesitant to commit to a total surface bite.

Works great over weeds when there is not enough room over the top to use a jerk bait.

 

A stop & go / walk the dog action can be done very easily 12 inches under the surface and on the pause the bait suspends perfectly - really killer on smallmouth here.

 

Works particularly deadly on schooling fish - and on spinning gear the bait will rocket a LONG Way.

Braid will help with long range hook sets and you'll want to change out that rear sure-set treble hook because it's not.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay