Kersploosh! The bait disappears in a shower, reappearing momentarily in the jaw of a 4-pound bass. Topwater time is fun time and that time is now. With the spawn completed, bass move into the best available cover on weedy flats, stumpfields, brushpiles, or fallen trees. Warming water makes bass active, even aggressive during peak periods, feeding on bluegills, shad, and other preyfish.

Summer topwater fishing benefits from a bit of preparation. Proper tackle selection makes fishing the various styles of topwater baits easier and more effective. And there are new baits to try, adding to the excitement of the topwater experience.

Working a surface bait evokes the image of a symphony conductor leading his orchestra. With waving rod, he directs the sounds to a crescendo, then a pause. A topwater tactician uses much the same creativity to evoke irresistible actions from a chunk of wood or plastic.

WALKERS
The classic Zara Spook is the standard bearer among a group of cigar-shape lures that's expanding fast. For the requisite walk-the-dog action, early practitioners relied on short casting rods, sometimes less than 5 feet long. In that era's bass craft, the johnboat, a straight downward sweep would submerge a long rod, stymying the action. In today's bass boats, most anglers prefer rods in the 6-foot range, with exact length a matter of boat design, an angler's height, and personal preference.

No presentation matches the excitement of topwater fishing. The right lure coupled with the right tackle makes it more effective, too.

The balance of a walking bait causes it to pivot back and forth, with the degree of side-to-side action dependent on the amount of slack thrown into the line after each stroke and the timing of the strokes. A slower cadence allows the lure to drift more to each side, while crisp snaps keep it front and center.

New Baits--Lucky Craft's (www.luckycraft.com) popular Sammy family has grown to five members of the finely crafted walker, from Sammy 65 (2-1/2 inches, 7/32 ounce) to the 5-inch Sammy 128. Bass Pro Shops (www.basspro.com) has emulated nature with the Slim Dog, featuring a mouth that gulps water and then expels it via gill slits. To create a ruckus, Ambush Lures (www.ambushlures.com) designed the Pop-A-Long a two-piece walker joined with a titanium wire that causes the two sections to clack together when twitched. And you've got to try the Bandit Spitz (www.banditlures.com), another spittin' walker, thanks to a special fin design.

POPPERS
The concave face of these topwaters makes them pop, plunk, or spit their way into the hearts of big bass, both green fish and brown. The many ways to work a popper make it an enjoyable instrument to play, as well as a versatile and highly effective one. When fishing from the deck of a bass boat, a baitcasting rod around 6-1/2 feet long works well for a range of popper actions. For the new generation of mini-poppers, try a spinning rod spooled with an easy casting but tough line like Berkley IronSilk.

New Baits--Lures larger and smaller than the classic 1/4-ounce size (the original Pop-R) have expanded the possibilities. Witness Excalibur's Pop'n Image Jr (www.lurenet.com) and Rapala's #5 Skitter Pop (www.rapala.com), just 2 inches long. On the large side, Lucky Craft's G-Splash has grown to the 5/8-ounce 80 size, Matzuo's Spit & Sputter (www.matzuo.com) to 3-1/4 inches; and Don Iovino's Splash It (www.iovino.com) is available in a hefty 3-1/2-inch model.

Lures top to bottom: Sumo Frog; Ambush Pop-A-Long; Bandit Spitz; Nemire Spoon; Skitter Pop; Matzuo Spit & Sputter.

WEEDLESS BAITS
Won't be long till lily pads, matted milfoil, duckweed, and other shallow weeds obscure bays and backwaters. Below the surface slop, though, lurk some of the season's biggest thrills for those with confidence to venture in and the equipment to haul the big ones out.

Select a heavy-power rod from 7 to 8 feet long, but with a softer tip than the classic flippin' stick, for better casting distance with heavy braided lines and light baits. You need power to set hooks at a distance and pull big bass out of dense slop. Braids slice and dice vegetation, easing that task. Weedless metal spoons (Johnson Silver Minnow, Bass' N' Bait Snakie Spoon, and Northland Jawbreaker) are joined by a clan of soft-bodied critters--Snag Proof Tournament Frogs and Moss Mice; Southern Lures Bassrat, Scum Frog, and Tiny Toad.

New Baits--John Nemire's (www.nemirelures.com) line of metal spoons incorporate a rattle chamber, while the 24-carat gold or plated silver finish glistens in the sun. The Sumo Frog from Nature Friend (www.naturefriend.com) shifts the weight to the rear of the lifelike creation, allowing a walking retrieve or a static rocking action that bass can't resist. The 5/8-ounce Japanese creation sports a tough hide and a special Owner double hook.