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

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

Where Do Bass Go After They Spawn? (And How To Catch Them)

Its really easy once someone explains it! Post Spawn bass don't just disappear, they follow a very consistent pattern as they transition to Summer haunts. Today Matt walks us through each step as the fish shift from spawning to recuperating, and from traveling back to feeding. Post spawn is notoriously difficult because many anglers are unclear about how the fish move from April to June but its about to get a whole lot easier!

We've already discussed "Where Bass Go In Spring", post spawn is the exact same story run in reverse, but with a twist. After the fish spawn they'll move to the first ledge or point along their transition route. Here they will sit for a week or two to recuperate before feeding again. This is often the time when anglers feel lost and begin to panic about where the fish have gone. As soon as this period ends, the fish make a split. Half of the bass follow the remainder of the route out to deep outside or offshore structures and the other half push back in to the shallows.

The fish that turn shallow are the most fun because you're able to power fish them (flipping, punching, and frogging) but the fish that head offshore school up into mega schools and offer a whole different kind of excitement! It doesn't matter which direction you go, you're going to have a great time targeting either group of bass.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and tackle we're using to target these fish throughout the transition process and beyond.

Frog…

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

(Little Allen, Ghost, Snipe)

Punching/Flippin’…

-Sweet Beaver: http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

(Tramp Stamp, Delicious, Hematoma)

-1 oz Tungsten Weight: http://bit.ly/2bHj2pB

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

-Peg X Bobber Stopper: http://bit.ly/2bHjowk

Offshore or Ledge Fish...

-Norman DD-22 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2LKB37w

(Glimmer Shad, Smokey Joe, Blue/Chart)

-Strike King 6XD Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

(Clear water minnow, sexy shad, Sexy Ghost Minnow)

-Strike King 10XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

(Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Green Gizzard Shad)

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin' Jig: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

-Zoom Trick Worm: http://bit.ly/2aWkG7E

(Junebug, Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Magic)

-Strike King Fat Baby Finesse Worm: http://bit.ly/2aKei5y

(Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red, Blue Fleck)

Matt's Crankbait Combo...

Rod- Zodias 7'6" Med Heavy Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

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