No top water love
I can't figure out how to get a bite on top water. I've tried whoppers, poppers, buzzbait. Not even a bite. My 13 year old daughter loves throwing them, but no bites. I'd love to get some bites for her, and ultimately get her landing some. Ned rigs always land us some, and even lipless. But these top water are a tough nut to crack... Windy, warmer water, stained, clear, rain, cloudy... Tried it in all the different supposed good conditions and nothing.
I don't get these pros who say that 80 percent of the time they throw buzzbaits or the like. And they throw them year round.
Any suggestions?
Glad you asked this question. Topwater is considered by most to be the most exciting way to catch a bass. Depending on where you live, topwater can be an all-year thing. Where I live, we have a cold winter with ice most years for the coldest months. Topwater doesn't come into play in places like this until the water temps get into the 60's. My best advice on fishing topwater is to fish the most prolific topwater season. In most places, this occurs during the spawn and post-spawn. When all the fish are in the shallows and the water temps are warm. This is going to give you the best chance at it. In my area, topwater can last through the summer and into the fall. While in other areas, summertime means deep water fishing and the topwater bite goes away and returns in the fall.
Below are some of my most consistent topwater baits. The Chug Bug, Buzzbait, Splashit, and frog. One of my favorite and most consistent ways to catch them is to go small. 1/8 & 1/4oz buzz bait and the smaller size frog. This will increase the number of bites you get. To get your feet wet, start with the shad or white colors. Once you have some success you can expand your color selection. Once you get more confident in the bite you can expand into the whopper plopper and big walking baits. Best of luck to you and your daughter. Keep us posted.
https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Fstorm-rattlin-chug-bug-lures.html
https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Fbooyah-buzz-baits.html
https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Fterminator-walking-frog.html
https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Frebel-pop-r.html
Thank you! We have the chug bug and the popper. The buzzbait we have is this one https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Booyah_Buzz_Buzzbaits/descpage-BYB.html
Are there any videos you would recommend?
I live just south of Dale Hollow but mostly fish the small lakes and streams in the area. All bank and wading.
Westly Strader is from east Tennessee and gives a great seminar on buzzbait fishing. Check this one out.
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/buzzbait-fishing-secrets-modification-tips-strader
Booyah makes a great buzzbait but I might recommend getting some in the 1/4 and even 1/8 oz. size to get your feet wet. Ike gives a great three-part series on topwater fishing that I also recommend. Below is the first part.
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/fishing-topwater-lures-iaconelli
As I think back, I feel in love with topwater fishing by using the original topwater lure-Rapala floating minnow. This is still Rapala's best selling lure each year. It's a very subtle presentation. Just cast it near the bank or cover and twitch it and let it sit. Its a really great bait to get started with. I just did an interview about this lure with Bernie Shultz. Check this out when you get a chance. It's very close to topwater time in your area. If you are able to get out you can expect the next month or two to be the best topwater action of the spring.
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/rapala-original-floater-other-jerkbaits-bernie-schultz
Thank you!
Bernie Shultz interview 15:55 "It might have been jerk bait season here had we not gotten all that rain."
