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

Big Swimbaits and Topwater For Spring Bass | Texas Bass Fishing

The guys are back in Texas chasing PreSpawn bass with a swimbait, an A-rig, and a variety of topwater. Come along as they build a pattern and adapt to changing conditions throughout the day. Watch how they fish with confidence and get bites, even on big swimbaits, without knowing anything about the lake. 

So many anglers get caught up in the mindset that certain baits (swimbaits, frogs, jigs, etc...) don't work on their lake. The reality is that bass behave very similarly and with few exceptions, eat the same baits throughout the country. We travel constantly and have seen over and over again that we can quickly catch fish on baits like a Gantarel or a frog, in lakes where others hesitate to even try these lures. 

The key to consistent fishing success anywhere in this country is building patterns. Focus on the conditions, how bass should behave during the season you're in, and take the extra time to intentionally fish likely locations based on those variables. You'll be amazed how many more bass you'll begin to catch!

As we continue to travel we're constantly refining our equipment. Life on the road requires specialized rods and an array of tackle. In the beginning our boats could hardly float from the masses of tackle we'd bring on trips. Anymore, we find key baits that work everywhere and we're able to narrow down our selections.

Below you'll find links to the baits we were using on this trip, some of our gear, and some travel-specific equipment that makes your life easier whether you're going cross country or to a lake down the road. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

A-Rigs... 

Rig- Hog Farmer TacticalBassin Bladed Flex: https://bit.ly/38xd1es

Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Heads (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Swimbait... 

-G-Ratt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Favorite Colors: Hitch, Gizzard Shad

-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Favorite Colors: RT Spawn Gill, RT Ghost Gill

Topwater...

-ScumFrog Launch Frog (Bluegill): https://bit.ly/3rOYQIF

-River2Sea Whopper Plopper 90 (Phantom Shad): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

-Evergreen Shower Blows 105 (Skeleton Chartreuse): http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Lure Retriever...

-Frabill 15' Pole Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6

Travel Rods... 

High End (Our Favorite)- Megabass Triza Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/2Glg3au

Mid Range- St. Croix Triumph Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/3urbTSn

Budget Swimbait- Okuma Nomad Xpress: http://bit.ly/2p4zr3g

Tim's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- 13 Fishing A2 (7.5:1): https://bit.ly/36XlOVs

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

Tim's Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Destroyer P5 Z-Crank: https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

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

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

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

Urban Fishing In Backyards For GIANT Largemouth and Peacock Bass!

Crazy weather has forced us into an urban jungle in South Florida! We’re chasing largemouth, Peacock Bass, and exotic Cichlids. Come along as we traverse ditches, bridges, tunnels, and backyards in search of some of Florida’s most interesting species. If you’ve ever wondered if these little roadside waters hold big fish, stick around because Tim is going to set the hook on an absolute GIANT bass!

When we dipped into Florida we have visions of warm air and aggressive bass. Instead we were met with freezing temperatures and brutal winds but we made the best of it by heading all the way to the Southern tip of the state where there were still some quality fish to be caught. We used a variety of baits including topwater, square bills, chatter baits, and a tiny keitech to get consistent bites. 

If you’re a bank fisherman, an urban angler, or just someone who’s wondered if those small waters along the road really hold fish, they do! Next time you get the opportunity to pull over and fish you should give it a try. We used all sorts of baits to try and catch fish today and a select few really stood out despite the cold weather. Below you’ll find links to all the baits as well as some of the equipment we used to throw them. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Topwater… 

-Savage Gear Prop Walker 4” (American Shad): https://bit.ly/3kwBFAa

-NEW Whopper Plopper 60 (Loon): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

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

Crankbait… 

-13 Fishing Scamp 1.5 (Olive Crush): https://bit.ly/3iMkYAw

Chatterbait…

Bait- Evergreen JackHammer 1/2 oz (Bruised Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Trailer- Keitech 4.3” Fat Swing Impact (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Underspin… 

Bait- Keitech 2.8” Fat Swing Impact (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Cool Baits Down Under 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Tim’s Chatterbait/Topwater Rod… 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7’ Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel-Shimano Metanium MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Sunline FX2 Braid (50 lb): http://bit.ly/31u57xA

Matt’s Underspin Combo… 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7’ Light: https://bit.ly/3ab5b9V

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon (5 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Topwater Combo… 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 6’8” Medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX (XG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

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

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?

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

Whopper Plopper Fishing in Oklahoma

We're on McGee Creek in Oklahoma throwing a Whopper Plopper, Frog, Buzzbait, Popper, and a fluke! Its a brand new state for us, neither CC nor Matt has ever bass fished in Oklahoma but that won't stop us from finding the fish! Come along for a fun day exploring the standing timber and murky waters of McGee Creek.

When fishing a brand new lake its easy to become overwhelmed. We focus on key patterns that let us locate fish quickly, instead of haphazardly covering water. In this case, we knew we had high muddy water conditions so we focused on topwater. Despite the stained water, the fish had no issue locating the whopper popper and other topwater lures.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and tackle used in the video. We hope you enjoyed coming along for a day on the water in Oklahoma! We'll be on the road for several months so follow along as we break down new fisheries all over the country!

The baits...

Whopper Plopper 110 (Bone): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Bully Wa 2 Frog 65 (Little Allen): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Bubble Walker: http://bit.ly/2e0PZOY

Skirtless Pro Buzzbait: http://bit.ly/2cWI6if

Keitech 4.8 Buzzbait Trailer: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

River2Sea Biggie Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Matt's Topwater Combo...

Rod- Zodias 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

Line- 50 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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