Fishing with Top Water Lures

[Jim Sutter]

When fishing with top water lures, do you prefer straight monofilament or braid with a monofilament leader or braid with a fluorocarbon leader or straight braid.

[NorcalBassin]

Straight mono for me. I use straight braid for a frog, but everything else it's mono (usually Sunline Defier Armilo). Lots of people love braid to leader, but I've just never had a need to do it.

[Jim Sutter]

NorcalBassin,

Thank you for your information. I do appreciate it.

[GreenPig]

Frog hook baits get braid for the hook driving power. Treble hooks get mono for the stretch to keepem hooked.

[FryDog62]

If around any kind of weeds, have to use braid IMO.  Once the fish takes it down, no easy way to get them out with mono.  Braid is strong and will cut through the vegetation, where mono will just stretch...

[Bassattackr]

Straight braid or braid to mono leader depending on bait/technique.

[Preytorien]

Frogs = Straight braid

Everything else / open water = mono (or braid + mono leader)

[deadadrift89]

4 minutes ago, Preytorien said:

Frogs = Straight braid

Everything else / open water = mono (or braid + mono leader)

Same here

[wdp]

I’m probably one of the few that always uses braid for topwater baits. What I change is the action of the rod and the # test I’m using. 

 

For hollow frogs, ribbit frogs, and toads, I use 30-50# power pro with a MH rod and fast tip action. For poppers, walking baits (Zara spook types) and propeller baits, I use 10-15# on a M action spinning rod with a more moderate tip. This works better for not snatching the treble hooks away from the bass when they hit. I’ve had to train myself not to set the hook too quickly & let em take it for a sec.

 

Might not be right for everybody but it works for me. I’ve never learned how to tie leaders. I’m too lazy & don’t care to learn. I even use straight 10# braid for my shaky head applications. ?

[crypt]

1 hour ago, stratoliner92 said:

Same here

X3.    

[Bankbeater]

I use mono on all of my topwater baits. I'll even use mono on a frog if the water is fairly clear of vegetation. If there is thick slop then I use braid.

[Scott F]

All braid, all the time with no leaders. I don't like the way my top waters work when using lines that stretch. 

[MN Fisher]

Frogs and WPs are all I have in my arsenal for topwaters at the present time - they get tossed on the Fuego which is loaded with 50# Power Pro.

[Log Catcher]

Mono is all I use. I don't have any areas to fish with a lot of grass or lily pads. I am throwing poppers and walking baits. I quit wasting my time with frogs and toads a long time ago. I never had any luck with them.

[NHBull]

Small topwaters, all braid

Large topwaters, defier Armilo 

[microotter]

I like using straight braid for long hooksets. Although this year I have had problems with my braid getting tangled in the front treble hook. 

[Jim Sutter]

GreenPig, FryDog62, Bassattackr, Preytorien, Stratoliner92, Wdp, Crypt, Bankbeater, Scott F, MN Fisher, Log Catcher, NH Bull and Microotter.

Thank you for all this information. You have given me a lot of information and options. I love my Power Pro braid. 

[BigAngus752]

Frogs and toads are on straight braid.  All treble lures are on Yo-Zuri Hybrid.  

[Jim Sutter]

BigAngus752,

Thank you for information. I will add it to my pile of suggestions. 

[papajoe222]

I rarely fish frogs, but when I do, I use braid. For everything else including buzz baits I use mono, even when fishing over/around weeds. Braid gets hung on the front treble way too often and fluorocarbon pulls the nose of many baits down, ruining the action.

[Jim Sutter]

papajoe222,

Thank you for your input. I will be trying a couple different set ups. Have a wonderful and safe evening.

[WRB]

23 hours ago, NorcalBassin said:

Straight mono for me. I use straight braid for a frog, but everything else it's mono (usually Sunline Defier Armilo). Lots of people love braid to leader, but I've just never had a need to do it.

^^^this^^^ prior to Armilo I used Big Game.

[Jim Sutter]

WRB,

Thank you for your information. Take care and have a wonderful and safe Wednesday.

[Bluebasser86]

Frogs, walkers, poppers, rear prop baits-straight braid

 

buzzbaits, double prop baits-mono/copolymer

[Bassattackr]

15 hours ago, WRB said:

^^^this^^^ prior to Armilo I used Big Game.

Me too on both ha!   Armilo is the single best topwater line on the planet.  I use braid now but I still use 25lb Armilo for a leader.