Knapp: Understanding topwater lures, best uses, characteristics and more
Evan, one of my longtime guests, made a long cast over the placid early morning waters of the Allegheny River. The bait he chose was a topwater lure, one of the popper design.
As Evan imparted sharp snaps of the rod tip, the cupped concave face of the lure spit the captured surface water out, creating a tantalizing disturbance, one that was interrupted when a 17-inch smallmouth bass engulfed the bait.
Few anglers would argue that catching fish, regardless of the species, is most enjoyable when it’s done with a surface lure, the experience augmented with the visual component. During the late summer and early fall, topwater lures can be particularly effective as bass activity picks up in the cooling waters.
I tend to separate surface lures into four categories: prop baits, poppers, walking baits and wake baits. Though there is plenty of overlap, each has qualities that lend one’s use to particular situations.
As its name suggests, prop baits utilize some sort of propeller to churn up the surface. Three decades ago two of my most productive lures were the Heddon Dying Flutter and Smithwick Devil’s Horse, the latter of which is still available. Both are cigar shaped baits that utilize small propellers both fore and aft. The Heddon Tiny Torpedo, another classic, falls into the category.
As the lure is retrieved, the churning of the props creates a moderate surface disturbance. The lures can be worked steadily, or one can get creative and include a stop-and-go retrieve that can trigger reluctant fish.
I’d add the popular River To Sea Whopper Plopper to this mix. The Plopper uses a spinning tail section to churn up the water, a design that’s been popular with musky baits for years. At times bass go crazy for Whopper Ploppers and similar lures like Berkley’s Choppo.
These baits have downsides. Any surface debris like floating grass, common this time of year, will foul the props. And the propellers can be easily knocked out of tune, making it a chore to keep them churning.
As described at the outset, the maddening “popping” of these style baits can make bass become unglued. Lure examples include Rapala’s X Rap Pop, Rebel’s Pop R, Storm’s Chug Bug, Bass Pro Shops XPS Popper, and the classic Arbogast Hula Popper.
Poppers lend themselves to creativity as one can alter the aggressiveness of the rod twitch that initiates the pop, the frequency of pops and the length of time in between. While prop baits can be used to quickly cover the water, poppers excel when targeting areas you strongly suspect hold fish. Similarly, prop baits can handle a slight churn of the surface while poppers work best when it’s calm.
The Zara Spook exemplifies the classic walking surface lure. There are several similar lures out there, including the Rapala Skitter Walk.
Walking baits get their name from the manner in which they are worked, that is a walk-the-dog retrieve that creates a zig-zag pattern. A lot of movement without much forward motion. Like the popper, walking baits can excel at triggering strikes but not so much at covering water. Use them where you expect to find bass, or as follow-up lures to fish that missed an entirely different style of lure.
The walk-the-dog retrieve takes some practice. Short rod twitches are combined with a turning-of-the-reel handle that does not recover all the slack line generated from the twitch. In time the user develops a cadence that’s filled into muscle memory and becomes second nature.
If there’s such a thing as a finesse topwater lure, it would be the wake bait. Wake baits stay on the surface but exhibit a subtle action, like a swimming snake.
I’d categorize the classic Arbogast Jitterbug as a wake bait. There are many varieties available today. I’ve had success with the pricey but effective Duo Realis wake bait. In general, most wakebaits incorporate a lip but one that does not cause the lure to dive. Some, like the Duo Realis, are joined, which adds to the surface swimming motion.
Finally, the line you’re using influences the effectiveness of topwater lures. Shy away from fluorocarbon line (as both a main line or leader) as it sinks, which can impair the bait’s action. Most braided lines and nylon monofilament float.
Jeff Knapp is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle
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