Few things in the world of fishing are as exhilarating as topwater bass fishing. The heart-pounding excitement of watching a bass explode out of the water to crush your lure is unlike any other fishing experience. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just getting into the sport, topwater fishing offers endless excitement, challenge, and joy.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about topwater bass fishing, from the basics of gear and technique to the art of reading the water. By the time you’re finished, you’ll be ready to hit the water and create your own unforgettable bass fishing moments.
1. The Basics of Topwater Bass Fishing
Topwater bass fishing refers to using lures that float on or just below the surface of the water. The goal is to entice bass to strike by imitating prey like frogs, insects, or small fish that are vulnerable near the surface. Bass are opportunistic predators, and when they see an easy meal, they’ll strike with force.
The excitement of topwater fishing comes from the fact that the strike happens in plain view, often involving dramatic splashes and leaps from the fish. Unlike other forms of bass fishing, where much of the action happens below the surface, topwater fishing allows you to see the moment of attack.
2. Essential Gear for Topwater Fishing
Before you can experience the joy of topwater fishing, it’s important to have the right gear. Topwater fishing requires a few key pieces of equipment to ensure you’re both effective and comfortable on the water.
Rod and Reel
For topwater bass fishing, you’ll want a medium to medium-heavy rod that is between 6’6” and 7’ long. A rod with a fast action tip allows for accurate casting and better hook-setting when the bass strikes. You want a rod that provides enough sensitivity to detect the action of your lure while still having the power to haul in larger fish.
For your reel, a high-speed baitcasting reel is the preferred choice. Bass can hit topwater lures with incredible speed, so a faster reel will help you quickly reel in slack and set the hook. A reel with a gear ratio around 7.1:1 is a great starting point.
Line
Choosing the right line is critical for topwater bass fishing. Monofilament and braided lines are the most popular options. Monofilament has a bit of stretch, which can help absorb the shock of a strike and prevent the fish from throwing the hook. It also floats, which is perfect for topwater lures.
Braided line, on the other hand, offers superior strength and no stretch, giving you maximum sensitivity to feel when a bass inhales your lure. It also casts farther, which can be an advantage when fishing in open water.
For most situations, 12-17 lb monofilament or 30-50 lb braided line is ideal.
Topwater Lures
There are numerous types of topwater lures available, each designed to mimic different types of prey. The most popular lures for topwater bass fishing include:
Poppers: These lures have a concave mouth that creates a loud "pop" when you jerk the rod. The noise and splash attract bass from a distance, making them ideal for fishing in open water or along the edges of weed beds.
Walk-the-dog lures: Often referred to as "spooks," these lures zigzag across the water’s surface when retrieved properly, imitating an injured baitfish. They’re highly effective in calmer waters.
Frogs: Soft plastic frogs with hollow bodies are designed to mimic real frogs swimming across the surface. They’re perfect for fishing in thick vegetation, such as lily pads and weed mats, where bass love to hide.
Buzzbaits: Buzzbaits create a commotion on the surface by spinning a blade as they’re reeled in. This noisy, erratic action is irresistible to aggressive bass.
Prop baits: These lures have small propellers on either end, which create a surface disturbance as they move through the water. The extra noise and movement make them great for murky water conditions.
3. Techniques for Topwater Bass Fishing
Now that you’ve got your gear ready, it’s time to master the techniques that make topwater bass fishing so thrilling and rewarding.
Cast and Pause
One of the simplest yet most effective topwater techniques is the cast and pause. After casting your lure, let it sit on the surface for a moment before starting your retrieve. Bass are often triggered by the subtle ripples and stillness of a lure that appears to be struggling or unaware of danger.
Once you begin your retrieve, alternate between short, quick jerks of the rod and brief pauses. Many strikes happen during the pause when the bass believes the prey is vulnerable.
Walking the Dog
"Walking the dog" is a technique used with spook-style lures. The goal is to create a zigzag pattern as the lure moves across the water’s surface. To achieve this, hold your rod tip down and gently twitch the rod side to side while reeling in slowly. This imitates the erratic movement of an injured baitfish and can trigger aggressive strikes from bass.
This technique takes a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’s one of the most exciting ways to catch bass on the surface.
Skipping Frogs Through Cover
When fishing in heavy vegetation or along the edge of cover, using a soft plastic frog is your best bet. Cast the frog into areas with lily pads, weed mats, or overhanging trees where bass are likely hiding. Reel the frog slowly, allowing it to hop and skip across the surface, pausing occasionally to make it look like it’s resting or struggling.
Bass in these areas are often lurking just below the surface, waiting to ambush prey. When they strike, it’s usually explosive and violent, so be ready for some high-energy action.
Buzzbait Burn
When using buzzbaits, the key is a fast, steady retrieve. Cast your buzzbait past the area you’re targeting and immediately begin reeling in. The spinning blades will create a loud disturbance on the water’s surface, which bass find irresistible. You can experiment with the speed of your retrieve, but keeping it quick will often result in the most strikes.
4. Best Times and Places for Topwater Bass Fishing
Timing is everything in topwater bass fishing. While it can be effective throughout the day, certain times and conditions increase your chances of success.
Early Morning and Late Evening
The best times to fish topwater are early in the morning and late in the evening when the water is calm, and bass are more actively feeding near the surface. The reduced sunlight makes bass feel more comfortable coming closer to the surface to ambush prey.
Overcast and Cloudy Days
On cloudy or overcast days, bass are more likely to stay near the surface all day. The lack of harsh sunlight allows them to move freely and hunt in shallower water, making topwater lures even more effective.
Areas with Cover
Bass are ambush predators, and they love to hide in areas with cover such as weed beds, lily pads, logs, and overhanging branches. These spots provide shade and shelter, allowing bass to strike at unsuspecting prey. Targeting these areas with a topwater lure often leads to explosive strikes.
Shallow Flats and Points
Shallow flats and points near deeper water are prime spots for bass to hunt. During feeding times, bass will move into the shallows to search for prey, making topwater lures an excellent choice. Look for areas with baitfish activity or water disturbances as clues that bass are nearby.
5. The Joy of Topwater Bass Fishing
There’s a reason why topwater bass fishing is so beloved by anglers—it’s simply one of the most thrilling ways to catch fish. The combination of skill, patience, and anticipation culminates in heart-pounding moments when a bass erupts from the water to strike your lure.
For many, the joy of topwater fishing lies in the visual spectacle. Unlike other forms of fishing where the action happens below the surface, topwater strikes are highly visible, often accompanied by dramatic splashes and thrashing as the bass attacks. It’s a sensory experience that can’t be matched.
But it’s not just about the excitement—it’s also about the satisfaction of mastering the technique. Learning to walk the dog, time your pauses, and read the water to anticipate strikes makes every catch feel well-earned.
Topwater bass fishing is also a great way to enjoy the natural world. Whether you’re on a calm lake at dawn or casting along a riverbank at dusk, the peaceful surroundings and connection with nature add to the overall joy of the experience.
Topwater bass fishing is a rewarding and electrifying way to target bass. The sight of a bass launching itself at your lure, the rush of adrenaline as you set the hook, and the thrill of landing a big fish make every trip memorable. With the right gear, techniques, and understanding of the best times and places to fish, you can enjoy topwater bass fishing and create stories you’ll remember for a lifetime.
So, get your gear ready, pick your favorite topwater lure, and head out to the water—you never know when the next big strike will happen!
About the Author: Earnest Sherrill
Earnest Sherrill is a passionate outdoor enthusiast and writer who resides in the warm and breezy state of Texas. With a deep love for nature, Earnest enjoys exploring the great outdoors and sharing his experiences through his writing. He writes about various aspects of outdoor life and the intriguing happenings of everyday experiences. When not writing, Earnest cherishes spending time with his youngest grandchildren, who bring vibrant energy and robust attitudes to his life. Stay connected with Earnest to discover more about the wonders of the outdoors and the joys of life's adventures.