Topwater Tips

[Sightwindow]

Chrome or silver when the sun gets higher will help out.

Changing up size, sound and profile helps at times. Going from a Super Spook, Jr to a She Dog doesn't seem like much, but it can make a world of difference.

Generally, I find the bigger, noisier ones are best in a chop. And smaller, more subtle baits are better in calm.

Lots of people like to use braid - it does make it easier to work - but it sucks should you get a snarl in mid cast and your eight dollar bait is sent into orbit. It especially sucks it it's a confidence bait and that was the last one.

I like the stretch and forgiveness of mono when a big one is approaching endgame. And I just don't like to "baby" trout any more than necessary.

Fishing them under birds is no big deal, only caught one in all my years and a few minutes and a towel over its head and beak satisfied all parties. And it does tend to weed out the micro trout somewhat.

Agree with varying retrieve, but when a fish is just popping it, keep working the bait. I've found that if a reticent fish gets a good look at the bait (like when you stop) it will pull off.

[PotLikinisAhabbit]

Originally Posted by Clampy

I always use a rhythmic action covering water. After a few blow ups and I'm confident the fish are there i will slow it down or change it up.


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Not a proclaimed expert, just simply speaking from what I have observed of baitfish "especially wounded" a constant retrieve is the anti thesis. Throwing a lure out banging it around long enough may produce a strike but you also could be doing more harm than good. You even noticed yourself that by varying the retrieve after "locating" fish is a better method. Studies have shown that smaller trout (1-3)lb have a higher metabolic rate than larger trout making them aggressive for longer durations of the day. If fish are in an active feeding mood, like I said previously, just about anything will work. Catching inactive fish consistently will require a culmination of an anglers intuition along with a little help from mother nature. I have gotten flat out embarrassed by novice anglers dead sticking a topwater, out of ignorance, while I was doing what I thought the fish wanted instead of paying attention to the signs. Pride is a hard habit to quit.

[bgizzle]

Originally Posted by Clampy

I always use a rhythmic action covering water. After a few blow ups and I'm confident the fish are there i will slow it down or change it up.


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But but..... U don't catch fish without chrinkle... Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Ask coot


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

[Clampy]

Originally Posted by bgizzle

But but..... U don't catch fish without chrinkle... Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Ask coot


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

Like I said before you just learned how to throw a bait caster last year. You think you are special cuz you caught a few fish in the bay the last few days. Just remember you would still be perch jerking ditches if not for me. Like I said when ever you ready for a big lake or v bay challenge I will be ready by next Friday. Leave your shrimp tipped jigs at home son and bring your wallet.


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[Clampy]

Originally Posted by bgizzle

But but..... U don't catch fish without chrinkle... Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Ask coot


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

This is coming from a dude who runs a trailer hook with a shrimp behind his topwaters so take with a grain of salt.


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[Clampy]

Originally Posted by PotLikinisAhabbit

Not a proclaimed expert, just simply speaking from what I have observed of baitfish "especially wounded" a constant retrieve is the anti thesis. Throwing a lure out banging it around long enough may produce a strike but you also could be doing more harm than good. You even noticed yourself that by varying the retrieve after "locating" fish is a better method. Studies have shown that smaller trout (1-3)lb have a higher metabolic rate than larger trout making them aggressive for longer durations of the day. If fish are in an active feeding mood, like I said previously, just about anything will work. Catching inactive fish consistently will require a culmination of an anglers intuition along with a little help from mother nature. I have gotten flat out embarrassed by novice anglers dead sticking a topwater, out of ignorance, while I was doing what I thought the fish wanted instead of paying attention to the signs. Pride is a hard habit to quit.

I hear you but I ain't looking for much. A swirl a follow a blow up. Something to get me to slow down a bit. Now if I know they are there then my presentation is different.


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[Sightwindow]

Originally Posted by Clampy

I hear you but I ain't looking for much. A swirl a follow a blow up. Something to get me to slow down a bit. Now if I know they are there then my presentation is different.


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Agree with this methodology. When covering ground, it's important to me to be efficient. Efficiency is making long casts and getting in a rhythm not only in bringing the bait back to the boat, but getting it out there again. I don't do this near well enough - both time-wise and in my mental state - when I'm fiddling around with cadence.

Once I get a "look", then I've got the confidence to commence figuring them suckers out.

[bgizzle]

Originally Posted by Clampy

This is coming from a dude who runs a trailer hook with a shrimp behind his topwaters so take with a grain of salt.


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79 fish 3 trips..... All I'm saying. No it's not.... Wait yea it is I gotta go clean more fish ... Haha


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

[bgizzle]

Originally Posted by Clampy

Like I said before you just learned how to throw a bait caster last year. You think you are special cuz you caught a few fish in the bay the last few days. Just remember you would still be perch jerking ditches if not for me. Like I said when ever you ready for a big lake or v bay challenge I will be ready by next Friday. Leave your shrimp tipped jigs at home son and bring your wallet.


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You hear that boys? It's the sound of jealousy!!!
Natalie ain't letting you make no bets! And as a matter of fact you still owe me for monthly friend fees and round trip to bring your baby a zzz home yesterday!


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

[Clampy]

Originally Posted by bgizzle

79 fish 3 trips..... All I'm saying. No it's not.... Wait yea it is I gotta go clean more fish ... Haha


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

Yeah fishing the bay is tough on October. How do you do it ? Maybe if I had a job I didn't have to be at your silly numbers would pale in comparison and you know it. More power to you though. Stay on em.


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[bgizzle]

Originally Posted by Clampy

Yeah fishing the bay is tough on October. How do you do it ? Maybe if I had a job I didn't have to be at your silly numbers would pale in comparison and you know it. More power to you though. Stay on em.


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Now your coming around. Seems as though it's tough for some! Patience... Gotta have it!


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

[kb7722]

Originally Posted by bgizzle

Now your coming around. Seems as though it's tough for some! Patience... Gotta have it!


"Go ahead, share your opinion! I won't cry"

Would you guys take your D@#K measuring contest somewhere else. The OP doesn't give a rats @ss about which one of you can catch more fish. Start your owe tread.

There I "shared my opinion."

[Sightwindow]

Originally Posted by kb7722

Would you guys take your D@#K measuring contest somewhere else. The OP doesn't give a rats @ss about which one of you can catch more fish. Start your owe tread.

There I "shared my opinion."

Sad thing is, they already did...

[YellowMouth7]

Pink Skitterwalk 11 for trout and Pink Skitterwalk 8 for reds what I throw 95% of the time. I love other TW's too but I have found the Pink SW11 and 8 to be the most consistant for me.

TB

[Goooh]

When working suspended lures, does color play more of a role? And are you walking it just like a TW?


Sent

[PotLikinisAhabbit]

Originally Posted by Goooh

When working suspended lures, does color play more of a role? And are you walking it just like a TW?


Sent

Think of color in terms of light, dark, and natural. Let the conditions dictate which one is suitable. There are many color reference charts on the net you can google to achieve the best contrasting colors for water clarity and also weather conditions. Save to a folder on your phone for quick references. The beauty of a suspending lure is its versatility. You can work it fast and keep it high in the water column or work slower. If fish are feeding aggressively keep it high in the water column, otherwise you will have to find the right retrieval for that day.

[MarshRat89]

Originally Posted by PotLikinisAhabbit

Think of color in terms of light, dark, and natural. Let the conditions dictate which one is suitable. There are many color reference charts on the net you can google to achieve the best contrasting colors for water clarity and also weather conditions. Save to a folder on your phone for quick references. The beauty of a suspending lure is its versatility. You can work it fast and keep it high in the water column or work slower. If fish are feeding aggressively keep it high in the water column, otherwise you will have to find the right retrieval for that day.

Got any links for these color reference charts?


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[southLA]

http://www.texastacklefactory.com/im...aphforweb1.jpg

For plastics, but the same principle holds IMO

[PotLikinisAhabbit]

Originally Posted by southLA

http://www.texastacklefactory.com/im...aphforweb1.jpg

For plastics, but the same principle holds IMO

Thats the chart I use for reference.

[Goooh]

Bump - just went back through this and forgot how good the responses were.