Thoughts on Topwater and "Big" bass

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Thinking back ...... I can't recall catching a bass over 4 lbs (what I consider a big bass in my area) on a top water bait, excluding scum frog type baits.  Yet every morning when I go out in the summer and especially this time of year, it's the first thing I grab ..... rather it be a Sammy, Spook, buzzbait, Pop-R, etc.

I guess the point I am trying to make is, that for throwing topwaters as regularly as I do, I sure haven't caught many (if any) big bass on them.  All other baits I throw on a consistent basis have caught numerous "big" bass for me.  That is why they are in my normal arsenal.  You also don't see too many people posting pics of "big" bass they caught on topwaters.  There have been the exceptions though.  Is seeing a two pounder slam a topwater just that exciting??

I am not trying to make an argument one way or another.  It's just something that came to me last night whan I was trying to go to sleep.  So what are your thoughts??

BTW - I am heading out for an hour or two before class right now.  First up ......... The Sammy. : ;D ;D ;D

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Same here KU.

I've gotten some big 3's and a few 4's from our lake on topwaters over the years but never that "next size class".

I throw topwaters when I need to get back into the game and just want to be glued to the bait. Some baits blow my mind when they don't get hit,..."How could they resist that?"

You'll see lots of big fish posted, caught on topwaters but I think most of these are from southern water where these fish still aren't the biggest in that lake.

My partner is the primarily "big fish" hunter. He doesn't throw them at all,lol.

I remember one year in the learning days where I threw the Super spook relentlessly. Wind, snow, rain, cloudy, bright, didn't matter, I was hooked on spookin'.

Had a blast, don't get me wrong, lots of nice fish but not the hogs we all dream about.

One big thing I like about the topwaters I throw is that they go a mile and sometimes, in a lake as clear as ours, that's what it takes to get the bite.

With that being said, it's a great tool for getting a little closer to the goal of 5 in the boat sometimes.

[roadwarrior]

Agreed.

I have never caught big bass on topwater, but I still like to fish them. My biggest bass was actually a smallmouth several years ago on a spook. We were fishing east to west and just as the sun was beginning to rise a big girl smashed my lure. When she came up and out of the water the light of dawn made her sparkle like a gold nugget. I guess she didn't like that spook, she tossed it back to me from about twenty yards out!

So, my "biggest bass" doesn't really qualify, she was not even close to being boated.

p.s. KU_Bassmaster, I thought the same thing about crankbaits until you caught your PB at Fork. I fish crankbaits quite a bit these days, but  have only caught one big bass on these lures. Oddly, it was my PB, too!

[flechero]

I guess I'm the odd man out, my first 2 bass over 10 came on buzzbaits.  And although there were bigger fish in the lake, I think it's safe to call 10+ a "big" fish.  Used to fish private water with a lake record of 12 and change... caught several 7-8 lb fish on topwater there.  Those were big for that lake.

You'll see lots of big fish posted, caught on topwaters but I think most of these are from southern water where these fish still aren't the biggest in that lake.

For the most part I'll agree with that... but rarely are people throwing topwater in the trophy bass haunts.

[Lightninrod]

Hmmmmmmmmmm?  I believe an ol' Georgia boy caught a pretty BIG BASS on a topwater plug a few years ago.........................

Dan

[Valascus]

I like to throw topwaters in the wee hours and will continue through out the day as long as the conditions are prime for it. I have yet to break that five pounder barrier though (I think that has more to do with the waters I fish than baits thrown), and I doubt it'll come on a topwater.

But that being said...topwaters are pretty dang fun. Just minding yer business...*jerk jerk...pause...jerk jerk...pauSMASH!!* Ah...can't beat that adrenaline rush.

[Keithscatch]

I have never caught a bass over 5lbs on a top water lure of any kind myself.

[jiangtao]

I thought about this last week after I caught a Bass that I couldn't believe actually even tried to hit my buzzbait!! After some more thinking, I came to the conclusion that I have caught ALOT of Bass on topwaters, but very few would be considered "keepers". I mainly fish them now because the waters I am fishing in have ALOT of timber and I am tired of breaking off lures everytime I fish. I hate to re-tie lures as I am usually on a time limit with my fishing.

[bassholebuster14]

i got my PB(5lbs) on a buzzbait

[SPEEDBEAD.]

As is often said about a lake being deep, size of bass in a lake is a relative term. In PA, if you catch a 6lb largemouth you are doing pretty darn good. So, if you are catching three pound fish on topwater, I would also say you are not doing too bad for yourself. I have not caught anything I would hang on a wall, but as I posted before, the last local tournament I was in this year, we won on ALL topwater.

There is a time and place for everything. If I was seriously looking to break any records, I would agree that topwater would not be where it is LIKELY to be broken. Since most of the fisherman on here are "for fun" guys, topwater will remain one of the most used techniques due to the fun factor of it.

Wayne

[Matt Fly]

I have caught lots of bass in the 7-8 lb range on 1/2 oz buzz baits and the larger version of the Zara Spook.      I have always thought the poppers and smaller profile topwaters are good for numbers and some nice kickers.

I view the larger topwaters as to throwing swims and large jigs,   you may not catch as many as a guy throwing the pop R's and smaller plastics, but the fish that do hit are usually quality.

My largest ever came on a shad rap, so go figure, barely 2" in length.

Hookem

Matt

[George Welcome]

Think big and think topwater: Chug Bug - May 2006 - Frank Fasano

Gotta love topwater when it comes to big fish: Chug Bug - May 2006 - Jim Tso

And again Jim did it.

Always have a topwater available: Chug Bug - Don Willis - May 2006

Mike Moore is a believer: Chug Bug - May 2006

Russ Comeau, from Yamamoto baits came with Senkos but quickly became a Chug Bug officianado.

There is an excellent read on my site about topwater, lots of bass, and big bass.

http://www.imaginationbassin.com/Articles.htm

Click on "Florida Sticks, Stumps, Marshes, Chugs, Bugs & Senkos"

Yep, big bass love topwater!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Proof positive right there.

8-)

Just doesn't get it done in my lake.  I've even used "too big",lol.  Saltwater stuff.

[sirmo]

Though I have never caught a fish over 3lbs on a slow moving topwater.

I did catch this pig on a horny toad moving full steam ahead.  And in winter time too.

[George Welcome]

Zoom white split tail shad jerked across a hole in hydrilla caught this puppy.

[BASS fisherman]

As is often said about a lake being deep, size of bass in a lake is a relative term. In PA, if you catch a 6lb largemouth you are doing pretty darn good. So, if you are catching three pound fish on topwater, I would also say you are not doing too bad for yourself.

Wayne

I was with the majority untill I saw those pics, WOW!  I also am in Pa, and usually catch smaller bass with topwaters, but occasionally you will get a pig.  The very blurry, super out of focus fish in my avatar was caught on a Rebel Pop-R,  at 10:32 am, on a rainy day, and weighed 5lbs 4oz.  

It was a memory I will never forget.  I cast about 1 foot away from a point of a milfoil bed, and started a small pop, fast retrieve.  Right when I paused it, she slashed at it, but missed. She came almost all the way out of the water, and I gave the pop-r the slightest twitch, and she took it, and ran.  One of the best fights too.  

[roadwarrior]

Well, on my original response I was just talking about myself. I haven't caught big bass. From the get-go I thought about some of George Welcome's posts where his clients have had full days of topwater only. I'm glad he picked up this thread and had the time to post some pics. No doubt, those are some fine bass!

[Keithscatch]

And you can bet I will be tossing them at the Stick Marsh also.  

[fourbizz]

These are all topwater fish!

6lb9oz

6lb

6lb8oz

5lb

5lbs8oz

4lb7oz

5.1lb

[Siebert Outdoors]

My 2nd biggest bass came off a spro frog.  It was around 7lbs.  Like said above besides the frogs I have yet to break over 5.5lbs on other top water lures.  I've caught some low 5's but thats it.  No hawgs.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

This has been a good thread.  Lot's of people with the same experiences as me ....... and then you lucky ones : ;D.

So I'll keep chuckn' and one of these days .........

[FIN-S-R]

6lb smallie- rico

5lb smallie- yellow magic

8lb largemouth- horny toad

8.5lb largemouth- twin engine buzz

4.5lb spot- horny toad

4.8lb spot- Kinami Hard Baits Stick Bait

Big fish on Top...it happens....but gimme a 2lb smallie on a drop shot anyday!!!

[what]

i believe its not the toppwater thats the problem its gotta be the size of the bait your throwing

[BASS fisherman]

IMO it matters if the bass in the lake your fishing have seen what your throwing, how active they are, and the presentation you use.  In my experience, I caught a 16oz bass on the largest Rebel Pop-r they make, as well as the 5lb 4oz bass on the same lure, a couple minutes later.  

[CJ]

Funny that George Welcome's clients have done well with a chug bug.My biggest bass on topwaters came on a chug bug(5 1/2 lbs.)not a monster but a good fish on my lake.