Topwater Lures: The Basics

Topwater lures are among the most exciting and visually rewarding types of fishing tackle you can use. These lures stay on or near the water’s surface, creating action and commotion that attracts aggressive fish ready to strike with explosive force. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced angler, understanding the basics of topwater lures can dramatically improve your fishing experience.

Different Types of Topwater Lures

• Walk the Dog: This classic lure is designed to dart side to side in a rhythmic “walking” motion that mimics an injured baitfish struggling on the surface. It’s often a slender, minnow-shaped lure with a curved body that produces a zig-zag action.

• Popper: Characterized by a concave or cupped face, poppers create loud “popping” or “chugging” noises and water splashes as you jerk or twitch the lure. This commotion triggers aggressive fish to investigate and strike.

• Weedless Topwater: These lures are designed with special hooks and bodies that allow them to be fished over heavy vegetation, lily pads, or debris without snagging. They are excellent for targeting fish hiding in thick cover.

• Buzzbaits: These lures feature a spinning blade that churns the surface, creating noise and vibrations. Buzzbaits are excellent for fishing during low light conditions like early morning or late evening and are great for quickly covering large areas.

• Surface Stickbaits: Floating lures that can be jerked or twitched to mimic injured or fleeing baitfish. Their versatile action works well in a variety of water conditions and species.

Examples of Popular Topwater Lures

• Walk the Dog:

  • Zara Spook — A legendary lure famous for its smooth, side-to-side action.
  • Badonk-A-Donk — Versatile and easy to walk, great for beginners and pros alike.

• Popper:

  • Rebel Pop -R — Known for aggressive popping and chugging sounds that provoke strikes.
  • Rapala Skitter Pop — Durable and effective, with a wide popping face and strong action.

• Weedless Topwater:

  • Snag Proof Weed Demon — Features a weedguard and hollow body for fishing heavy cover.
  • Lunkerhunt Frog — Offers weedless soft body for heavy cover.

• Buzzbaits:

  • Booyah Blade — Known for its loud surface disturbance and durability.
  • Strike King Buzz King — Popular for its solid construction and effective blade design.

• Surface Stickbaits:

  • Rapala Skitter Walk — Versatile stickbait with realistic side-to-side action.
  • MirrOLure Mirrodine — High-quality lure with natural movement and detailed finish.

Why Fish Topwater Lures?

• Aggressive Fish Behavior: Topwater lures trigger predatory instincts in fish, leading to explosive surface strikes that are thrilling to watch.

• Fun and Engaging: The visual and audible cues make topwater fishing highly entertaining, turning fishing into a dynamic game of cat and mouse.

• Instant Feedback: When a fish hits a topwater lure, you often see the strike immediately, which adds to the excitement and helps improve hook timing.

How to Retrieve Topwater Lures (With Tips)

• Walk the Dog:
  Use a steady side-to-side twitching motion with your rod tip while reeling slowly to create the characteristic zig-zag action.
  Tips:

  • Experiment with cadence: vary speed and length of twitches to imitate different injured baitfish behaviors.
  • Incorporate pauses; a motionless lure often triggers follows or strikes.
  • Use lighter line to maximize lure action and sensitivity.
  • Calm water or low wind conditions help you see the lure’s action clearly.

• Popper:
  Make short, sharp jerks of the rod to create popping noises and splashes. After 2–3 pops, pause to let the lure sit quietly.
  Tips:

  • The pause is crucial — many strikes happen during stillness as fish investigate.
  • Use louder pops in murky water or low light, softer pops in clear water.
  • Adjust jerk force depending on conditions and species.
  • Position yourself upwind or upriver to avoid spooking fish.

• Weedless:
  Slowly drag the lure over heavy cover, pausing in open pockets or holes.
  Tips:

  • Maintain a slow, steady retrieve to keep the lure on the surface without snagging.
  • Watch for subtle disturbances or twitches indicating a strike.
  • Be ready to set the hook quickly when you feel resistance or see a splash.
  • Use heavier line or braided setups for pulling fish out of thick vegetation.

• Buzzbaits:
  Retrieve at a steady, moderate speed to keep the blade spinning and creating surface commotion.
  Tips:

  • Ideal during low-light hours like dawn or dusk.
  • Use in windy conditions to add extra surface disturbance.
  • Cover large areas quickly to locate active fish.
  • Pause briefly if fish seem inactive, then resume steady retrieve.

• Surface Stickbaits:
  Use short jerks or twitches to make the lure dart and pause intermittently to mimic fleeing or injured baitfish.
  Tips:

  • Vary the twitch intensity and pause duration to find what triggers strikes.
  • Effective in clear water where subtle action matters.
  • Combine with different retrieval speeds to imitate natural prey behavior.

Timing and Conditions

Topwater fishing is often most effective during certain times and under particular conditions:

• Dawn and Dusk: Low-light periods when fish actively feed near the surface.
• Overcast Days: Cloud cover can push fish into shallower waters and encourage aggressive behavior.
• Post-Spawn Season: Bass and other species are more territorial and likely to strike topwater lures aggressively.

Ideal Locations

• Shallow Flats: Especially those with submerged vegetation or structure.
• Points and Drop-offs: Ambush zones where fish wait for prey.
• Cover: Areas around docks, fallen trees, lily pads, or other structure attract predatory fish.

Important Tips from Experienced Anglers

Strike Detection

Keep a close eye on your lure—topwater strikes are often explosive and quick. Many anglers recommend waiting a brief moment after seeing a strike before setting the hook to ensure the fish has fully taken the lure.

Hooking and Landing Fish

• Setting the Hook: Use a quick, firm hookset but avoid excessive force that might tear the hook out.
• Landing: Employ a net for larger fish to avoid losing them near the boat or shore.

Weather Considerations

• Wind: Light wind can help create surface ripples, making fish more aggressive. However, heavy wind can complicate lure presentation.
• Temperature: Warmer water temperatures typically mean more active fish, making summer prime time for topwater fishing.

Treble Hooks vs Inline Hooks

Anglers often debate the merits of treble hooks compared to inline hooks on topwater lures.

Pros of Treble Hooks

• Higher hookup ratio due to multiple points.
• Fish tend to hook themselves during aggressive strikes.
• Most traditional topwater lures come equipped with treble hooks.

Pros of Inline Hooks

• Safer for fish and anglers with fewer sharp points.
• Less damaging to smaller fish, aiding catch and release.
• Tend to hook larger fish securely despite fewer points.

Rigging Tips for Topwater Lures

• Use a loop knot or swivel when tying your lure to allow freer action.
• Prefer monofilament leaders over fluorocarbon to keep lures floating properly, as fluorocarbon sinks faster and can drag the lure underwater.