Top Water baits

[Schneider Fishing]

Since this is a fishing forum.... What are your thought on top water baits. I haven't caught many fish on topwater baits. I hear people like to throw spooks and sammys but what sizes and colors? What about poppers? I've caught a few fish on the small luckycraft sammy 65 in auroa black.

[rickyshabazz]

The rugular size Vixon has caught me a lot of fish and won me a lot of money.

Color doesn't seem to matter but this bait produces a sound like no other.

[Pete Marino]

what their favorite "topwater" bait is.......its top secret but its probably still in the box floating on the East end of Perris........................S I C K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pete

[BigJeff]

Top water is all about cadence. You have to figure out how the fish want that bait. Sometimes they will slam it no matter what you do with it. I tend to have more success working it and then getting hit on the pause.

I like the Sammy 100 in the standard lucky craft colors (ghost minnow, chart. shad, etc.) I've also caught some toads on the larger 128 Sammy.

[oakview]

It depends on what lake you are fishing , water clarity, and wind. THe the clearer the water the lighter the color. But color really doesn't matter if you get the speed right. As for size go big 4"+ - Throw it close as possible to the cover and try to figure out what speed the "monsters" want it at.

As no rattles or rattles - again I don't think it matters except in some cases. No wind, wind, etc...

Also watch the birds - there can be a sick topwater bite in 50ft of water.

Just my 2 cents - hope this helps

[Iceman]

ITS BEEN REALLY GOOD ON POPPERS(HAD RATTLES)AT CLEARLAKE TOOK 23+ LBS IN ABOUT 2 1/2 HRS WED NIGHT.

[Gerryjig]

an old school style, rattle-less clear Spook with the hooks changed out is my first choice......and / or a Markey single or double buzzer buzzbait......and if it's a slow deal, the bigger Splash-it. If it's a Sammy thing.....the Spook covers that for me.

[rmcollins3]

I like the Vixen in either shad or rainbow trout patterns. Both the big and smaller sizes work well. Use these in low wind conditions and make long casts.

I like the Don Iovino Splash-Its in clear or shad patterns for when there is a little wind but not a full blown chop. Change out the front hook to a red one.

Buzzbaits are good first thing in the morning in the summer months on lakes like San V and Hodges. White or shad patterns in 1/2 or 3/4 oz sizes work well.

[oakview]

For me if I'm fishing alone I fish the bank at a 35degree or so angle - Keeps it closer to the cover - - if with someone else in the boat - I fish straight out from the cover - only about 5ft or whatever I think the target zone is - This allows me to cover a lot of water - once I see a fish following it - then I start working out a little further.

For these LA lakes - I've had alot of luck fishing about 20 feet from the cover and just covering water. Get it tight and usually within the first 4 to 6 movements of the bait - I get slammed if not I cast to the next spot.

Clear colors with flake - 4"

[MCSPIN]

Rico,
in the bleeding shad color. Need to make sure when you bye the bait that the eye that you tie your line to is straight and centered. This will allow it to walk correctly. If it is to one side or the other and not centered it wont walk correctly.

Gary McNaught

[Kevin]

My favorite is the McVixen or the McRio Rico.
As for what Pete said, the song "Smoke on the Water" was written about that incident.