Tag: Chuggers

Topwater Lures For Bass

After your lure hits the water’s surface can be one of the most exciting moments in fishing. You can almost feel the bass eying your lure as the ripples subside. The anticipation builds, knowing the surface can erupt at any second with a vicious strike.

 

Calm summer evenings and mornings when bass are in the shallows feeding are the best times to use surface, or topwater, lures. Rough water or water temperature below 60 degrees Fahrenheit will greatly diminish the effectiveness of topwater lures.

 

When fishing thick vegetation mats, topwater lures may be the only effective solution. Bass may be attracted to these lures even though they can’t see them. Bass in vegetation can be caught even in the middle of the day with topwater lures.

 

Topwater lures can work especially well at night. The vibration and noise of surface lures can bring bass in from quite a distance. Once near the presentation, the lure’s silhouette can then be seen, especially on a moonlit night.

 

There are several types of top water lures. Some of these are;

 

Poppers and Chuggers , which make popping or gurgling sounds during the retrieve. This is due to a concave face on the lure. Rubber and plastic skirts come standard on most models. These lures are most effective when using a twitch and pause retrieve.

 

Propeller-Type Plugs, have a small propeller on one or both ends of their long, thin bodies. These can be retrieved in a slow and steady manner, or by the twitch and pause method. Another technique is a quick retrieve, which will churn the water and cause a wake. Always make sure the propellers spin freely before using.

 

Buzz Baits, are similar to spinnerbaits, but instead of spinning on a swivel, the blade revolves around a shaft. Turbulence is generated by a large aluminum blade as the lure is retrieved rapidly across the surface of the water. Tandem blades are available on some models.

 

Stickbaits, look like propeller-type plugs without the propeller. They are available in different lengths. These lures are used by twitching them slowly across the surface to mimic an injured baitfish.

 

Artificial Frogs, are usually made from soft plastic or buoyant rubber with legs that will wiggle enticingly. They are available in many colors and are usually weedless. This makes them ideal baits to fish on and around thick vegetation.

 

Sometimes bass will follow a topwater lure and not strike. To help entice a strike, stop the retrieve and let the lure sit for several seconds. The next twitch may result in an explosive strike. There are also times when bass will gently slurp a lure instead of slamming it. Always watch the lure and set the hook after any strike.

 

Any of these topwater lures can help to catch fish. By using some of the described techniques above, hopefully your fishing trip will be more successful.