Introduction to Topwater Fishing for Bass
Hey there! My name is Ethan Crawford and I love to fish for bass: specifically top-water fish for bass. Although I am not a professional by any means, I have tried a lot of things out myself as well as put a lot of time into researching the best ways to go about the daunting yet exhilarating task of getting that top-water explosion. In this blog, I have compiled my own experience as well as the expert advice of many anglers to help you learn how to get that topwater bite as the summer fishing season approaches.
The Basics
Something that intimidated me when I first started to fish was that a successful fishing trip relies on planning just as much as casting. Knowing the following things and how they affect the bass you are topwater fishing for can make or break a trip.
- How to use your equipment
- Time of day
- Weather
- Bait in area
1. How to use your equipment: Knowing your equipment is essential before you hit the water. Although it may seem simple, there are a lot of factors to be aware of when you plan to start fishing. First, knowing how to attach your reel to your rod is essential. Many beginner rod combos will have this done already, but knowing how to detach and reattach is also essential. Rods will have small slots to position the wings of a reel into then screwing the rod cap down will secure it into place. Colson0513 from The Instructables offers an in-depth tutorial on "How to Setup and Use a Spinning Rod and Reel" if you'd like to get any clarification.
2. Time of day: The time of day can heavily impact how successful you are while topwater fishing for bass. Bass are most active at sunrise and sunset. Knowing this, plan to hit the water early in the morning or late at night so you can ensure you have a successful trip. In the afternoon, fish are still active but typically find shady spots to hide away and ambush their prey. Because of this, topwater lures can be used to target bass around downed trees in the water or heavy brush/ foliage. But be careful! Casting any kind of lure, especially ones with treble hooks, around objects always poses a risk of getting snagged.
3. Weather: The current and existing weather patterns can affect a bass's eagerness to eat a topwater lure as well. Wind is a major component of success when topwater fishing for bass. When scoping out an area, a windy bank will have bait fish being stirred up and brought to the surface. This will attract bass and allow for a topwater bait to work especially well.
Additionally, topwater baits work better in warmer weather as opposed to cold weather. This is because in warm weather, the fish are active and encouraged to swim about. However, in cold weather fish descend to the bottom of the body of water and remain relatively still to conserve energy.
4. Bait in the area: Considering the bait in the area will help the beginner angler understand what type of topwater bait to throw. For example, if there are a decent amount of frogs in the area, throwing a topwater lure that mimics a frog may be successful. Or if there are bluegill in the area, throwing a topwater lure with a bluegill pattern may result in more bass being interested in your lure. You can find what type of bait is in the area by fishing for the baitfish with a worm, or there are apps out there that can help you find these answers.
Personally, I really enjoy the Fishbrain app. This app details what types of fish are in bodies of water, the best time windows, the best lures and baits to throw, and pictures from other anglers. The app collects data from each angler's entry to provide the information so be sure to submit a catch of your own if you would like!
The Equipment
According to Amanda Monthei, in "The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Fishing" found in Outsider Magazine, the best rod setup for a beginner is a spinning combo. This combination is really simple for a beginner angler to learn to use and is also fairly inexpensive when comparing it to baitcaster setups. I started on a spinning rod myself and still tend to favor a spinning rod today. The easy use makes it hard to beat.
TOPWATER FISHING LURES
To keep it simple, I am going to be going over the lures that I have experienced the most success with and have the most knowledge about. When it comes to topwater fishing in the summertime, I will always grab one of these out of my tackle box.
- Prop Lure
- Popper
- Walking Bait
Prop Lure
Description
When it comes to a prop lure (aka propeller lure), it is exactly that. It is a hard plastic lure that usually has 1 or 2 propellers located on the nose or the tail of the lure. These lures mimic bait fish that are swimming at the top of the water eating bugs, or injured fish that cannot properly swim. Personally, I have had a lot of success with the Berkley Choppo, and Jason Sealock from Wired2Fish seems to have a similar opinion in his blog "Best Topwater Lures for Bass for 2024". Sealock even goes on to say that he will keep this lure on his boat for 9 months out of the year, which is a testament to his trust in this lure. This versatile lure offers ease of use, high durability, and a very effective fish-attracting plopping effect.
Use
To properly use this lure, cast it into the middle of a body of water or along a bank. Either is okay, but if you cast into the middle of a body of water be sure to change the angle with each cast. When retrieving, it is important to hold the tip of your rod high so that there is minimal slack in the line. Retrieve at a slow, steady rate, ensuring that you hear the plopping noise coming from the bait. If there is no noise, shift your rod tip higher or lower or increase the retrieve rate of the lure. If you are not having any luck after a while, change the rate at which you retrieve the lure. You can also add pauses to your retrieve as well. A pause may help provide the fish an opportunity to grab the lure after following it in the water.
It is important to recognize that the shape of the prop lures is crucial to the fishing as well. When considering size, you must consider the weather patterns and time of year. The shorter prop lures, typically with two propellers, are designed to mimic baitfish such as bluegill and are most successful in the summer. The long prop lures are designed to mimic injured fish and can be used from early spring to late fall. However, if your budget is tight as a beginner I would suggest investing in the longer of the two with the tail propeller due to its versatile nature.
The Popper
Description
The Popper is a topwater lure that is in every seasoned bass angler's arsenal. The cone-shaped lure uses its cupped mouth to create commotion in the water.
Use
As the lure is pulled back to the rod, it splashes and creates ripples, noise, and entices a fish to eat it. Because the purpose of this lure is to create commotion, it works well in both clear and dirty water. You retrieve this lure with a semi-slack line and rhythmic twitches of your rod as you retrieve. Allowing the bait to sit for differing time intervals will provide opportunities for the fish to bite the lure.
The Walking Bait
Description
Walking baits are shaped like tubes with a small flat mouth. The walking bait is intended to rock back and forth as you retrieve it, giving it a swimming motion. There are many sizes offered and a general rule of thumb is the harsher the conditions, the bigger the walking bait required. Size and weight can allow the lure to fight through the wind or waves.
Use
The walking bait can be retrieved as fast or as slow as desired. The best way to find out what the fish prefer is by trying out different speeds and seeing what offers the most success. This lure does not require twitching of the rod, but the movement is made by the body style of the lure.
Tips from Me
- Fishing license: If fishing anywhere on public property, be sure to invest in a fishing license. Although you do have to pay, it is far less expensive to pay for the license than to pay for the tickets you will get if you do not have one!
- Be patient: Fishing is a game of patience. Whenever you feel disheartened, try to think positively. Enjoy the scenery around you, the birds singing, and appreciate other things than just the pull of a fish on your line.
3. Be open to change: Try not to go out with one particular lure or technique in mind. Be open to reading the weather, conditions, and time of day. Knowing how to use different lures, even lures other than topwater baits, will help you catch the most amount of bass!
4. Find a fishing buddy: Going out to the water and catching a big ole bass can be made so much more fun when you have someone to celebrate with. If you are not sure who to ask, start with family members, then ask some friends or maybe even a significant other. Hey, people even bring their pets with them!
5. Change your fishing spot: It can be tempting when you have had previous success somewhere, but changing locations can help you explore some new areas and experience the great outdoors to the fullest. Be sure to research the locations and pay attention to public vs. private property, park closing times, and special fishing rules. Also, be sure to follow the Leave No Trace Principles!
6. Immerse yourself in fishing content: Use the social media platforms that you already own to educate yourself on fishing knowledge. There are accounts that offer both education and entertainment. Two of my personal favorites are Jon Brollin and Pondboys. These accounts are both very entertaining and educational: their content can range from fishing shenanigans to new techniques. Other social media platforms are invaluable such as YouTube. I definitely used YouTube when I was learning to tie knots, trying to understand how weather affects fishing, and how to cast a bait caster.
Conclusion
Planning and executing a fishing trip can be a lot of fun. As previously mentioned, there is a lot to consider when planning one of these trips, however. The most important thing is safety. Always ensure you are being safe when exploring and fishing. If you are not comfortable with something, do not be ashamed to ask for help or stop whatever it is. Hopefully, you can use the knowledge provided to dive into topwater fishing for bass for yourself. Trial and error is necessary, so be sure not to give up! I challenge you to catch a topwater bass with each of these lures if you can get your hands on them. Learning various techniques will help you become a well-rounded angler!