Spring Topwater Tricks To Get Topwater Strikes Right Now!

Bass eat topwater baits long before most fisherman consider using them. If you’re waiting for hot weather you’re missing one of the best topwater bites of the year! You need to start now because most of the giant bass that get caught on topwater are caught early in the season. Of course, you’ll need to adapt your technique a bit to account for the cooler conditions, but that’s what we’re here for. 

Consistent topwater action during the cool spring months requires patience. You’ll need to fish slower than you’re used to, and you’ll be targeting a smaller percentage of fish than you would be in Summer. However, that smaller segment includes a lot of the biggest bass in the lake. This bite has a lot more to do with cadence and speed of retrieve than it does water temperature. Don’t get hung up on a certain water temperature, instead, be cognizant that if you’ve been able to wear a T-shirt in the afternoon in the past week or two, the topwater bite has potential. These fish are sitting extremely shallow so they’re able to find warm water pockets, even when the main lake remains cool. 

Again, the key is speed. Focus on baits that cover a lot of water (side to side) while moving slowly toward the boat. Walking baits, poppers, and frogs, are all great options. Additionally, baits like a buzz bait (with some adaptations) and a whopper plopper are also great options. Below you’ll find links to the EXACT baits that we use from each category, including our favorite colors for each model. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Poppers… 

-Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Colors: Matte Shad, MB Gizzard, Gill

-Lobina Rio Rico: http://bit.ly/2f7gink

Colors: Tennessee Shad, Lightning Shad

-Yellow Magic: http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Colors: Smoke Shad, Bone

-Damiki D Pop 70: http://bit.ly/2Pjvqo3

Colors: Phantom, Spayu


Walking Baits… 

-River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Colors: Bone, Sooner

-Teckel KickKnocker: http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA

Colors: Chart Shiner, Vanilla Ice

-Evergreen Shower Blows 125: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: American Shad, Bone, Half Mirror Wakasagi


Ploppers… 

-Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Munky Butt, 

-Whopper Plopper 90: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Munky Butt, Bone, Phantom Shad

Plopper Mods...

Swivel- Spro Power Swivel (Size 6): http://bit.ly/2ay0p7d

Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire #3 or #4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Buzzbaits… 

Double Buzz- D&M Double Hammer: http://bit.ly/29W2t9z

Colors: Black Widow, Bluegill

Single Buzz- D&M Easy Roller: https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

Colors: Red Bug, White Shad


Frogs... 

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Colors: Little Allen, Ghost

-Spro Bronzeye 65: http://bit.ly/2sz9Qje

Colors: Killer Gill, Nasty Shad

-Jackall Gavacho: http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Colors: Gold Gill, White, Chart Strike Gill

-Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors: White, Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

-Scum Frog Launch Frog: https://bit.ly/3rOYQIF

Colors: Bluegill, Shad, Dusk


Popper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL K: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ


Walking Bait/Whopper Plopper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9


Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ


Budget Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX Casting: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Power Pro Braided Line 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b


Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

spring topwater web.jpg
Comment
Share

Fall Fishing On Chickamauga: Topwater, Fluke, and Crankbaits

The guys are back on Chickamauga, exploring new water, and catching fish. Come along for a Fall day of junk Fishing as they catch them on everything from deep cranks to topwater to tail spinners and soft jerkbaits. When its "one of those days" you do whatever it takes to keep putting fish in the boat!

Tim kicked the day off with a finesse rod in hand. He was dropshotting deep edges in search of quality fish. When Matt climbed on board the duo turned their attention to reaction baits and were quickly rewarded with a nice fish on the Tactical Crankbait. Soon after they bite shifted again and the guys began switching between a tail spinner, a fluke, and a popper to put fish in the boat. They fished shallow, deep, and everywhere in between. They caught fish in 2 feet and 30 feet of water and worked for every bite they got. 

Toward the end of the day the guys accepted the conditions, downsized their baits and immediately saw success. Some days the bass want a tiny offering and this was one of those days. You couldn't get bit on a walking bait, they'd eat a popper, but when Matt went all the way down to a tiny popper he was immediately rewarded with multiple fish. When the going gets tough don't just beat your head on the wall, take the time to adapt your presentation, try new areas, and you might just catch the fish you're searching for. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and gear the guys were using throughout the day. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Crankbait... 

-River2Sea Tactical DD 75 (Glass minnow): http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Topwater... 

Larger Popper- Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Tiny popper- Megabass Pop X (Mat Shad): https://bit.ly/3i9T3sg

Tail Spinners... 

-Damiki Axe Blade: http://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

-Jackall Deracoup: http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Soft Jerkbait... 

Bait- Zoom Super Fluke (Smokin Shad): http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Superline 4/0: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Dropshot... 

Bait- Roboworm 6" Fat (Pro Staff Peoples Worm): http://bit.ly/2awYSxM 

Hook- Owner Mosquito 1/0: http://bit.ly/2fqYFCR

Weight- Swagger Tungsten 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Matt's Tail Spinner/Popper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Aldebaran 50 MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- Power Pro maxcuatro 20 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

"Bang For The Buck" Tail Spinner/Popper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6'10" Medium (Pre-Order Available): https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL HG: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

Line- Power Pro 20 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

chick with matt web.jpg
Comment
Share

4 Topwater Tricks For Early Fall Bass Fishing!

The Fall transition can be a topwater angler's dream! When the bass are feeding and you've got a bait that matches the hatch, it feels like you can do no wrong! Poppers, walking baits, buzz baits, and frogs, can all produce days on the water you'll never forget. But what about the other days? The days when the bite shuts off or the bass key in on a specific baitfish so aggressively that you can't lure them away... These 4 tricks will make all the difference on the tough days. 

Step 1 is to go natural. Stick to colors that perfectly match the baitfish. Its not the time for bright chartreuse or bone, stick to the ghost tones. Step 2 is to downsize and match the exact size of the baitfish the bass are targeting. Step 3 is to accent your hooks with feathers, colors changes, etc... to create the most natural bait possible. And finally, step 4 is to focus on subtle baits. 

Below is a breakdown of Tim's most reliable baits this time of year. We've also included links to the hooks and hardware upgrades he recommends. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Poppers... 

-Yellow Magic Popper: http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Colors: Japanese Shad, Smoke Shad

-Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Colors: MB Gizzard, Ito Wakasagi

Frogs... 

-Spro Poppin Frog 60: http://bit.ly/2HsyqIJ

Colors: Misty Shad, Speck

-LiveTarget Hollow Body Frog 55: http://bit.ly/2Q40BAk

Colors: Brown Black, Tan Brown

Walking Baits... 

-Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: American Shad, Blue Back Herring

-River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Funky Tiger

Buzzbaits... 

-Big Bite Baits Suicide Shad 1/4 oz: https://bit.ly/3iDnLLi

Color: Nickel

-Dirty Jigs Canterbury Buzz 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2cWI6if

Bait- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Toads... 

-Big Bite Baits Tour Toad: http://bit.ly/2NtAghc

Colors: Pearl Shine, Silver Shine

-Zoom Horny Toad: http://bit.ly/2aY5lBt

Colors: Grey Ghost, Watermelon Seed

Hook- Gamakatsu Superline Spring Lock 5/0: https://bit.ly/3mkwZi1

Hooks... 

Red Treble- Owner ST-36 (Size 4, 2): http://bit.ly/2wSknXp

Feathers- Owner Feathered Hooks (Size 4, 2): http://bit.ly/2m7XrAx

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire (Size 2, 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Ultimate Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Expride: http://bit.ly/2czPlZl

Reel- Shimano Curado DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

All-Around Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7' Medium Light+: http://bit.ly/2czPlZl

Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Budget Topwater Combo...

Rod- Dobyns Colt 7' Medium heavy: http://bit.ly/2lU0LfV

Reel- Daiwa CR80 High Speed: http://bit.ly/2Cgk5Nh

Line- Power Pro Braided Line 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

fall topwater web.jpg
Comment
Share