Matching Lures To Weather and Water Conditions:
Because topwater success often depends on lure placement, subtle deception and timing,
weather and water conditions are prime considerations. Murky or choppy waters call for
noisy Topwater lures. Good choices are steady, slow sputtering models. Three bladed
Buzzbaits will climb to the surface and stay there at a extremely slow retrieve speed. Keep in
mind, bass generally will not chase potential food as far in stained water. These big, noisy
lures provide an easy target in murky or wind swept waters, and a lure that's easy to find is
easily caught. In deeper clearer water, a different variety of lures can be chosen. Most
anglers think of surface strikes coming in shallow water 2 to 6 feet. Many do, but bass will
rise 20 or more feet when the proper presentation is made. In this situation, a side to side ,
"walk the dog" presentation works wonders, and surface plugs like the Zara Spook and
Ozark Mountain Woodwalker are recommended choices. The darting, zigzagging commotion
created by these baits will attract bass from great distances. Test these lures and the
presentation around steep bluff banks, boat docks and long points. In calm water conditions,
use smaller surface plugs, like the 2 inch, 1/8 oz. Zara Puppy. With a slight chop on the
surface, use bigger baits like the Original Zara Spook, measuring 4 1/2 inches and weighing
3/4 oz. Unparalleled for popularity and effectiveness are the minnow plugs. Rapala and
Rebel Minnows and A.C. Shiners have fooled a large share of fish. Worked around cover,
even in open water, these plugs swim silently with enticing action and little evidence of being
artificial. Anglers can retrieve a floating/diving minnow lure in a number of ways. After the
cast it can be: 1) allowed to rest for several seconds 9at least until the ripples disappear)
and twitched along the surface with a steady cadence; 2) retrieved at a slow, stop and go
surface pace imitating an injured minnow; 3) ripped beneath the surface with a sweeping rod
motion, then allowed to return to the surface; 4) wobbled slowly just beneath the surface; or
5) quickly retrieved until the lure dives to about 1 1/2 feet, then brought all the way to the
boat below the surface with an occasional twitch. As simple as the last technique sound, it
does the best job of producing bass weighing more than 5 pounds. When using
floating/diving minnow lures, attach a split ring to the line tie. The split ring gives the minnow
lure a more dramatic free swinging action, a deadly method for spring and fall bass in water
less than 8 feet deep.
Walking The Dog Basics:
Cigar shaped surface lures, known as stickbaits, may be ordinary in appearance, but a
popular retrieve called "walking the dog" makes them fish catching wonders. This
presentation closely imitates the action of a crippled baitfish struggling on the surface. With
practice, you can perform this zigzagging action to move a stickbait right or left of its usual
retrieve. Areas over submerged weeds or brush are prime for walking the dog, because
hungry bass often hold in the structure waiting for prey to pass by. With rod tip pointed at a
45 degree angle to the water, apply a sharp twitch, letting line go slack while the lure skids to
one side. When the lure stops, twitch again to the other side ( letting line go slack while the
lure skids in the other direction). Continue twitching to make the lure walk in a zigzag path.
To walk the lure to one side, make jerks in rapid succession rather than waiting for the lure
to stop. A fast action rod with a springy tip works best for walking the dog. With this type of
rod, you can twitch the lure sharply from one side to another. Use a light monofilament line
with this technique (8 to 10 pound test) so the lure swings freely from side to side.
TOPWATER TACTICS
Best Lures & Presentations: