Top Water Surface Baits and Lures 101

[OldTimer]

Hope this helps a few out there regarding use of topwater lures.


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Surface Lures 101

Boy………. they sure do seem to come in a lot of fisherman catching styles and colours:

   

But in my mind there are really only 5 basic types:

Propeller

   

The classic types being the Dying Flutter, and the great Tiny Torpedo

Popper/Chugger/Spitter

   

For example the Hula Popper, and Pop R.


Stick baits / Darters /Minnow baits

   

For example the Zara Spook, Stick Baits….. and yes a floating Rapala or Rebel minnow type bait.

Crawlers



Such as the Jitterbug or Crazy Crawler

Buzz Baits



These are not Spinner Baits - as Buzz Baits have multiple or very large single blades.



And for me & my style of fishing, I use these 5 basic retrieves (or slight variations):

- Non stop forward motion
- Twitch or Pop/chug or Shoot Forward a foot or two…… stop, and delay…… then repeat…..etc.
- Twitch or Pop/chug, move a short distance at a slow pace, and then delay…… then repeat…..etc.
- Walking the dog ( a rhythmic jerking retrieve will get the lure zig zagging)
- Non stop very aggressive chugging or jerking, with constant retrieve and motion.

When I first taught my lovely lady how to catch bass on top water lures - I explained to her that she was
trying to imitate the motions of a frog, large insect or wounded minnow on the surface of the water.

For instance – a frog does not swim constantly on the surface – it swims a few inches, or feet, then
stops, and so on. A wounded minnow will splash or roll on the surface and swim erratically, or spurt
forward then stop, etc. A large insect will flutter about then sit silent for minutes at a time.

Your job is to catch the attention of the fish without overdoing it (except with buzz baits).

Water surface conditions must be considered to be successful. The perfect scenario is perfectly calm
(like glass). But it is still possible to do top water with a ripple and small waves. You are wasting your
time when there is stiff breeze and a medium to good chop on the water.

Usually low light conditions at dawn and dusk (or in complete darkness) are better than full bright
sunlight.

In daylight I prefer a light coloured belly on my top water bait. In darkness my favourite is solid black.

Here’s my cut at what works best with the various lure categories:

Suggestions	Non Stop Uniform	Chug or Pop/delay	Shoot Forward Delay	Walking the Dog	Aggressive
Propeller		YES	YES
Popper		YES			sometimes
Stick Bait			YES	YES
Floating Minnow		YES
Crawler	YES	sometimes			sometimes
Buzz Bait	sometimes				YES

The above is just that which has worked best for me for top water - experiment to find your best
combination of styles.

Except for buzz baits - Always start out with less aggressive and slower presentations, with longer
delays. Then become more aggressive and noticeable.

My delays in a retrieve may sometimes be as long as 1 minute (or more) on dead calm waters. (I let the
ripple rings disappear.)………… when ya get a hit doin this ya just about have a heart attack………..

In shallow water use smaller presentations that won’t spook the fish.

If you seem to have fish swatting the lure, but they are missing and not taking – try reducing the size of
the bait. (what you’re seeing is the fish changing its mind at the last second and turning)

If you miss hooking a fish that you’re sure actually hit the bait – get much louder, and much more
aggressive, and/or much larger on your next casts. I’ve caught some of my biggest smallmouth doing
this. (it does look violent).

That should get you started…………

Cheers,

OldTimer