The Basics of Fishing Topwater Plugs

Topwater plugs are among the most exhilarating lures in any angler’s tackle arsenal. There’s nothing quite like the surface explosion when a bass, snook, or peacock bass inhales a popper or chases down a walking plug. In this article, we’ll explore the five major categories of topwater plugs—Walk-the-Dog plugs, Poppers, Prop Lures, Crawlers, and Wake Baits—and discuss how rod choice, reel setup, and line selection vary between them. Finally, we’ll finish with a handy chart of common brand‐name plugs and their typical uses.

1. Walk-the-Dog Plugs

What they are:
Walk-the-Dog plugs (often called “stickbaits” or “zig-zag plugs”) have a slender, pencil-like profile. The angler imparts action by twitching the rod tip and reeling in slack in rhythmic cadence, causing the lure to “walk” side to side.

Retrieve style:
Short, sharp rod twitches followed by a quick crank of the reel handle to resume slack. The cadence—twitch–twitch–crank—creates an enticing zig-zag silhouette on the surface.

Ideal conditions:
Flat to slight chop, early morning or late evening when fish are skittish and expect subtle presentations.

2. Poppers

What they are:
Poppers feature a hollowed, cupped face that displaces water with a loud “pop” or “plop” when jerked. This disturbance mimics a fleeing baitfish or injured creature.

Retrieve style:
Single or double sharp rod jerks, generating a burst of bubbles and noise, followed by a pause. Fish often strike on the pause.

Ideal conditions:
Wind-blown banks, dock edges, lily-pad margins—anywhere you want to create commotion and draw aggressive strikes.

Image Credit: BarbaraJackson on pixabay

3. Prop Lures

What they are:
Prop lures have a small metal propeller (or two) on the front, rear, or both ends, creating a churning wake as you retrieve. They can be made of wood or hard plastic.

Retrieve style:
Steady, moderate retrieve to spin the props continuously; occasional twitches to vary the action.

Ideal conditions:
Weedy flats, open flats, or grass edges where the churning prop sound travels through vegetation to trigger reaction bites.

4. Crawlers

What they are:
Crawlers are a lure with a large cupped lip or contain metal or plastic wings causing the lure to crawl on the surface.

Retrieve style:
Steady retrieve or a retrieve with brief pauses, such as stop and go.

Ideal conditions:
Weed edges, sand flats, or clear water where the subtle walker action entices wary fish.

5. Wake Baits

What they are:
Wake baits are plugs that skim the surface, displacing a large bow wave without submerging. They sit high in the water column, often prime for targeting big bass or snook that lie just beneath the surface.

Retrieve style:
Straight, brisk retrieve without rod twitches; maintain tension so the lure stays on plane and creates a steady wave.

Ideal conditions:
Calm water with little to no chop—lake flats, canal banks, or inlet flats at dawn or dusk.

Matching Your Gear to Plug Type

Rod Length & Action

Line Selection

• Braided Mainline (20–50 lb test):
  Preferred for topwater because of zero stretch for instant hooksets and superior abrasion resistance around docks or pilings.

• Monofilament (10–17 lb test):
  Can be used on poppers to add slight stretch, softening hard knocks and reducing pulled hooks—but less sensitive than braid.

Common Brand‑Name Topwater Plugs & Typical Uses