Mastering Summer Topwater is Easy – Be Patient
As the dog days of summer roll in and temperatures soar, many anglers might find themselves longing for the cooler times of year when fish are more active. These days can be feast or famine in regards to topwater fishing, but this post aims to give some viable tactics that are simple to follow. As the mercury rises, bass tend to become more aggressive, making the surface their prime hunting ground. Yet, this seasonal shift requires a thoughtful and strategic approach to topwater fishing to maximize your catches.
Understanding Topwater Fishing
Topwater fishing revolves around the use of lures designed to mimic prey on the surface of the water, drawing the predatory instincts of bass from the depths below. From the irresistible ‘plop’ of a frog bait to the frantic surface scramble of a wounded minnow, the attraction lies in the lure’s movement, sound, and appearance.
The key to successful topwater fishing lies in being deliberate in both your casting and your lure selection. A misplaced cast or poorly chosen lure can mean the difference between a trophy catch and an empty hook.
Top Tips for Topwater Bass Fishing
- Tail Feathers: A topwater lure with tail feathers can be a game-changer. The additional movement these feathers provide can often provoke an extra bite or two when the fishing gets tough. Have a favorite popper or stick style bait that doesn’t have feathers? Grab yourself some feathered trebles and pair of split ring pliers and replace the back hook. It takes about a minute in total, and can be the subtle difference that sets you apart from other anglers.
- Walking vs. Hopping: Understanding the difference between ‘walking’ and ‘hopping’ topwater baits is crucial. Walking baits, such as stick baits, zig-zag across the water mimicking a swimming baitfish, while hopping lures, like poppers or frogs, create a disturbance on the water’s surface resembling an easy meal for a lurking bass. For a walking style bait, you can never go wrong with a Heddon Spook. For a topwater frog, I will always recommend the Booyah Pad Crasher as a budget friendly option.
- Cadence: A rhythmic cadence in your lure’s movement can often be the trigger that tempts a bass to strike. Experiment with different rhythms and speeds to find what works best on any given day. There is no science to cadence, constantly change it up and let the fish tell you what they want. Many anglers will only fish one speed and miss out on endless opportunities.
- Casting Timing: Paying attention to when fish school near the surface, usually during dawn and dusk, can drastically improve your chances of success. Try to synchronize your casts with these feeding windows. This is a simple rule of thumb for all lures, but is pronounced when fishing topwater. Always be vigilant and watching the surface, if fish are busting 100 yards away on an adjacent bank, get there as fast as you can. These windows can be fast and furious, and you don’t want to miss the opportunity.
- Size Matters: Sometimes, a larger than average lure can be the difference-maker. A bigger target might tempt a trophy bass lurking below to take a swipe. On the flip side, you can always start small and work your way up to larger topwater lures and let the fish tell you what they want.
- Excitement Management: One of the key challenges in topwater fishing is to resist the urge to set the hook immediately after seeing a strike. Wait until you feel the weight of the fish before setting the hook to ensure a secure connection. In my opinion, this is what makes topwater so frustrating, especially lures that don’t have treble hooks. Everyone seems to want that monster hookset, when it often isn’t needed. Take your time Young Padawan, and reap the rewards of increasing your hookup ratio.
- Braided Lines: Braided lines are excellent for topwater fishing due to their lack of stretch, allowing for a firm and immediate hookset. Just remember, a good hookset requires a quick, sharp upward jerk of the rod and not swinging like you are Barry Bonds trying to go yard. For poppers and most walking style lures, I tend to lean towards monofilament line.
For those interested in exploring further, check out my previous post on using other topwater (frogs, it’s always frogs) effectively.
Remember, each cast in that grass-covered water is an opportunity to catch a trophy bass, and with these tips, your summer fishing days are bound to be more fruitful. Embrace the heat, celebrate the challenge, and enjoy the thrill that topwater fishing uniquely provides.
Tight lines,
Dawson