At the other end of the seasonal scale, surface baits are effective for big bass during fall. In many southern reservoirs, largemouths move into feeder creeks in fall, in pursuit of gizzard shad. A big surface bait, sometimes even a muskie bait or striper bait worked slowly on top resembles a big crippled shad. Many 10-pounders are annually taken this way.
In northern waters, too, fall brings a renewal of shallow-water fishing, as water color darkens and vegetation thins. Slowly twitching a floater over weed clumps or among fallen trees often takes more fish than finesse jigging or slow-rolling spinnerbaits, much to the surprise of those who haven’t tried the technique.
Topwater Categories
Topwater lures come in many shapes and sizes, and there’s not one that won’t tempt a strike when cast in the right spot and retrieved just so. Within each of the seven categories included here, a range of sizes and lure characteristics make a particular lure a top choice in a given situation. Such fine tuning usually must be accomplished by trial and error.
Recognize, too, that topwater lures range from subtle to ostentatious. A lure’s size and features contribute to this profile, but the action an angler imparts to the bait also plays a role. That’s why topwater baits are considered skill baits.
Reading the position and disposition of the bass and matching lure characteristics and retrieves is tantamount to success. But it makes them fun to fish, too. There’s no wrong way to work a topwater, but sometimes some actions are better than others. We’re looking for the particular twitch that makes a fish’s jaw itch.
Poppers and Chuggers—This category is the hottest trend among surface lures, maybe the hottest style among all hard baits over the last five years. More than any other type of topwater, popper presentations can be tailored to the mood of the fish, from the 1/8-ounce Rebel P50 Pop-R and Lucky Craft Bevy Popper that barely stretch two inches to the Storm 7/8-ounce Big Bug and the 1-ounce Yo-Zuri Mag Popper.
A popper can be worked with a frantic spitting action appropriate for largemouths in summer where pelagic shad are important prey. But the same bait worked with a pop-and-pause cadence often lures smallmouths from a fallen tree. Poppers fit applications from finesse to boisterous come-and-get-me actions that make buzzbaits seem tame.
Variations are based on lure characteristics like weight, shape, mouth size, and tail features. The retrieve cadence is the final piece of the presentation puzzle. And the range of poppers and popper retrieves should be viewed as a continuous progression from subtle to obnoxiously noisy.
On a given day, a special surface dance can make a major difference in the bait’s attraction. A particular retrieve may keep fish snapping at first light, but strikes dwindle as the sun rises. Often, changing the cadence or speed of the retrieve will renew the bite. Colors, too, can make a difference.
In cool waters of spring and fall, a slow pop-and-pause cadence works best. Give the bait a moderate tug to splash some water and create a fair ripple. Then let it settle for several seconds. Long thin poppers, called pencil poppers, excel in these conditions. When finesse is called for, try Daiwa’s TD Pencil or the Viva Pencil adorned with a hackled tail treble, from Carolina Fish and Fur.
