It’s topwater season throughout the country, especially on our northern grass lakes.
The bluegills are spawning nationwide and mayflies are hatching – all good ingredients for a good topwater bite. Anytime I find decent water visibility this time of year, I’ve got a topwater ready to play.
I love fishing the popper when there is a bluegill spawn and mayfly hatch. It’s got tremendous drawing power and the hook-up ratio is really good, even with smallmouth.
I use the larger one if there is some wind, the water is dirtier, or if around big bass. It makes more commotion and has a bigger profile.
Topwater fishing isn’t just about the bait. Line type matters; it’s best to throw these with mono. I use 14 pound on the small model and 17-20 on the bigger one.
I prefer walking baits like the Sexy Dawg when trying to cover water quickly. I use it in clear water and in more open areas, over big grass flats and rocky points where I need to make long casts and cover water. That walking action really draws them and it can be good during shad and herring spawns. For clear water, I prefer the translucent colors.
Another topwater I throw is the weedless, floating frog. At the Texas Toyota Bass Classic on Ray Roberts, I finished in the Top 10 by skipping a frog way back in the bushes.
Strike King is coming out with a new one at ICAST that we call a “Poppin’ Perch.” It will be excellent for matted vegetation and skipping under docks and trees. It’s got a cupped mouth with phenomenal action that I know is going to be deadly in some situations. You should see it later this fall.
In the meantime, don’t forget to tie on a topwater this summer. It’s a bait you can fish all day long and will produce some of the biggest bass of the year!
Head over to Bass Pro Shop to get the top-quality fishing tools I rely on
Just remember, it’s all about the attitude!