topwater reflexes...not up to par

[Josh256v]

i hit the local golfcourse pond last evening.  I caught 2 in about 45 minutes, but i missed 4.  i started at about 6 30 with a tube, and moved on to a 1/8 black buzzbait as it got darker.  I caught the 2 on the buzz bait, but I missed 4.  They all seemed like reaction strikes, my 2nd busted it right by the bank when i was about to pull it out of the water.  I dunno what my prob was, they all caught me off guard.  i usually fish plastics and blades, as a result my senses are kind of numb to the topwater bite.  does anyone have any tips for me so i can hook up more on the top?

[KU_Bassmaster.]

When you set the hook using top water baits, make sure your rod is loaded up (meaning there is a bend in your rod and you can feel some weight on the other end).  A lot of times bass will just swat at top waters in hopes to injur water you are using.  Always keep a soft plastic jerkbait handy when fishing top waters.  If one comes up and swats at it and misses, throw the soft plastic jerkbait in the area that the boil was.  The pros say 90% of the time you will hook up, I say more like 75% of the time you will catch them.

Top water fishing can be so exciting so letting the rod load up is very hard to do, but it is so critical.

[BillyBob]

One other thing is to switch to a slower top-bait. Sounds like a jitterbug would have plum wore em out about dark! ;D

[Josh256v]

i threw the tube back in there after i missed them on the buzzbait.  i have heard to throw a plastic back in that situation.  however, it was rigged with a bullet sinker texas style, i just didn't feel like re-rigging, those were the only two lures i had tied on 2 different rods.  i didn't even have my bag with me, i wish i would have had a fluke or a horny toad/sizmic frog now...

[fun_all_wrong]

With topwater- to me it usualy isn't about reflexes.

A few things:

Are you using a trailer hook?

Did you try speeding up or slowing down?  (fish miss it sometimes when its going too fast- slap it when going too slow)

Are you waiting until you "feel" the fish before setting?  or do you set when you see the splash?

[Guest hydrillagorilla]

TRAILER HOOKS

works almost every time (try them in red  )

[spotaholic]

Trailer Hooks. I would also look into a rod designed for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.Something with a moderate action in med or med heavy. These rods are very much like a crankbait rod. I never set a hook with a spinnerbait,buzzbait or hard topwater. The motion is more of a long sweep. I miss very few fish on these baits where I was missing alot using standard rods.

[ball_coach_1]

Repeating the same as above. Top water fishing is not about relexes, in fact, good reflexes take the bait away.

I would agree with all above. Put on a trailer hook. Work the buzz slower.  Put on a slower topwater presentation (popper, jitterbug, bang-o, spook, torpedo, devilshorse).  

No joke, if you know you are going to get hit, chuck it, work/reel it, have your head turned and check out the dusk and sun setting sky.  Feel the fish, then let your reflexes be to use.