Topwater for smallies

[pennyankees]

not sure about this time of year, but the rage toad produces well for me when the temps are a little higher.

maybe try a slow buzzbait or something?

[GRIZZ]

This time of the year, being from Massachusetts we're not thinking topwater, but if i was, it would be a Zara Spook, but i must mention and if you dont have one, a Lunker Punker is a must have topwater lure. I caught more fish on this bait this pass year ..........Incredible Lure!

[jacobhookem]

I really like to fishh the lucky craft gunfish. it seems to put out a little bit more of a splash then for say a spook or sammy. Good luck ;D

[Crestliner2008]

GRIZZ - Where do you get those? Some pretty nice finishes I might ad.

[Matt Kremers]

I primarily catch 'em on poppers and Jitterbugs. Every once in a while I will get one on a buzzbait.

[robertb]

Try a chug bug. You won't be sorry

[RandySBreth]

For regular tackle, I like soft jerkbaits worked very fast on top, any good "walk the dog" bait, and the poppers, like the Zell Pop from XCaliber or the Yellow Magic.

I really like my own popper for fly gear though...can't beat topwater Smallmouths!

[Wild Bill [NY]]

The Black Dog Baits 'Lunker Punker" posted by Grizz was originally a wooden bait, and is marketed by two guys in California, Grant and Jeremy. The wood ones come in 6 and 9 inch versions.

Last year, they introduced plastic injection-molded ones, again in two sizes. These are far lighter in weight than thier wood counterparts.

Tremedous baits, and yeah, awesome paint jobs.

While I have never used them for Smallies [yet], I have done well with them for LMs.

The reason I have not tried them for Smallies is almost all the waters that I fish for Smallies also have Northern Pike, and I hate like all hell to see my $50 wooden one get bit off.

They have tremendous walking ability, and move a lot of water each time you move them, creating quite a topwater disturbance if worked aggressively.

The wooden ones weigh a few ounces, so a beefy rod is needed for the wood ones.

I 'believe' they brought out the plastic ones so guys could use them with heavy rods they already own without having to buy a dedicated swimbait rod.

I hope to be able to buy some of the plastic ones this year, as they are much cheaper [selling for $20 bucks].

.................................

Now, with that said, I do best myself on topwaters Smallies by using a fast steady action. Baits like Super Spooks, Super Spook Jrs, Chug Bugs, and BIG Jitterbugs have been my standouts, and each year for about the last 20 plus-years, I have caught my annual best Smallies doing that. The Jitterbugs get used primarily from dusk until dawn, but the other three get thrown all day, even under bright skies.

I feel it is the fast steady twitching of those three baits that trigger the violent attacks that I get on them. I work the Chug Bug like many would  work a Spook, walking the dog with it in a series of fast twitches.

Hope this heps you all..

[A-Jay]

Perhaps not a True topwater, The Rapala Subwalk has been a steady contributor to my SMB photo album.  Smallies hammer the Mossback Shiner color size XRSB09. I haven't tried the smaller one or the new larger one yet.

http://www.rapala.com/products/lures/x-rap_subwalk/

A-Jay

[riverfisher]

Try a chug bug. You won't be sorry

I was gonna say that!! One more for ya a Bill Dunce I mean Dance Excalibur Spit'n Image.

[skeeteroneal]

yellow magic