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Topwaters in Tidewater - by Rob Brewer |
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| By May, the majority of bass are through with the rigors of spawning and the “lockjaw” often associated with the post-spawn period. The water has been steadily warming and that has been increasing the bass’ metabolism. This all translates into more bites from our finned friend Micropterus Salmoides. From early May on through late fall, its topwater time in Tidewater. If you’ve never experienced a bass exploding on a topwater lure, you’re missing out on one of fishing’s greatest thrills. Topwater strikes vary from explosions to subtle slurps. They just open up that huge maw and your lure silently disappears. Occasionally, bass will launch out of the water like a missile fired from a submarine and come crashing down on top of the bait. Often times, you can watch the bass swim up and eye the bait before he blasts it. Keep in mind any bass you can see can also see you. So keep movements subtle as you manipulate your bait. He is focused on your bait and will remain so as long as you don’t do anything to spook him. The most common problem with topwaters is seeing the strike and reacting too soon. Easier said than done, but wait until you feel the fish before setting the hook. My topwater outfit is a 6’ Mitchell Classic rod matched with a Diawa 5.1:1 reel spooled up with 10lb Trilene. This is going a little light in the line department, but I’ve yet to experience a break-off from a fish while fishing this setup. I like 10lb because it allows me to manipulate my bait lively and for it’s reduced visibility when the bait is paused. Someday, I’ll be broken off by a hawg, but I’ll chance that risk for more bites. Nine times out of ten, my topwater choice is a Bagley’s Spinnertail Bang-O-Lure (#5). This a large balsa minnow bait that lands softly for its size. Don’t let the lure’s five-inch length deter you from using it. I use this bait for two reasons; 1) the lure is big enough to entice any lunkers lurking about. 2) The lure displaces enough water to make its presence known to any bass inside cover who can’t see it. I remove the factory treble hooks and replace them with Excalibur rotating trebles of the same size. I also remove the split ring because knots break too easy with the 10lb mono. I tie the lure on with a knot called a spider hitch, some of you may know it as a king sling. They’re both the same knot. Don’t cast topwaters to cover like you would a jig or worm. Cast well beyond the cover and work your lure up to it. Crash the bait into it and pause it. This is usually where you see the strike coming, but expect to get bit at any point in the retrieve. Always work the bait in an erratic manner with various pauses and twitches. Avoid steady retrieves. The goal is to duplicate the writhing death throes of a wounded bait. Always have a “follow-up” rod rigged and ready. Sluggo’s and jigs are good choices. Rig whatever gives you confidence, just be sure it’s not another topwater. Sometimes bass miss the lure or expose their whereabouts, but don’t bite for whatever reason. Throw them something different and most of the time you’ll hook that fish. My last bit of advice is to shy away from buzzbaits. They’re fun to fish, but everybody is throwing them. Add to that the number of missed strikes and the fact that you can’t pause a buzzbait, you’ll realize there are better topwater choices. Fishing is life. Rob Brewer |
