Topwater Action

     The bass spawn is near, on, or waning, depending on where you fish, but the topwater action is heating up.  A few days ago at Pueblo the topwater bite was on early, and then again later when the sun was up high.

     The bass were staging on secondary points early, smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass, and were hitting walk-the-dog baits and buzz baits, the louder the better.  As the sun got high and the water warmed into the afternoon, more explosive topwater action could be found on flats near deep water at the mouth of coves and also in the back of coves hiding in shaded areas, next to brush or lay downs.

     I use two types of rods for topwater baits, and another outfit for versatility.  The first choice, when casting to targets like bushes or lay downs, and at times when I want the lure to land quietly and right next to the cover, I use a short 5.5’ pistol-grip rod and a side-arm cast.  This allows better accuracy but compromises on distance.  The quiet presentation prevents the lure from landing hard and spooking fish and often the strike will come as soon as the lure lands or within a couple of rotations of the reel.  It is the same outfit I like for spinnerbaits and even small crankbaits when targeting cover that I must get right next to but not snag. 

     The other choice is a longer, 7’ medium action rod for distance in more open water; fan-casting across a point or in front of cover but not right in it.  This rod will cast farther with an overhead cast, and when fishing chigger-toads or other frog type lures I will make short, 10 o’clock to 12 o’clock jerks to work the lure.  Experiment with pauses and speed because often the bass will follow a lure and cannot resist hitting it when the lure stops and they have to either turn away from it or hit it.

     Lastly, for versatility, I like the new Abu-Garcia Verdict rod in 7’ medium with the adjustable rod handle.  If making long cast I can extend the handle all the way out and make a two handed cast for distance.  If making shorter casts, targeting cover, or when working walk-the-dog lures (or jerkbaits,) when I make short jerks of the rod while pointing down toward the water, I can adjust the handle to be short and not be hitting my body or clothing with a long handle.  This is a feature that should be very popular with anglers who walk the bank and have to carry all their equipment with them because with a single versatile rod they can use it for more applications.

     For topwater line I primarily use 17# Trilene XT for abrasion resistance, since I am often in or very close to cover.  I use monofilament line for topwater since fluorocarbon line will sink and alter the lure action.  The exception to this would be frogs or chigger-craws dragged across grass mats or cast over reeds.  For this I use Spiderwire or Fireline braid, especially when casting into really heavy cover when the bass must be quickly brought in before it can wrap the line around anything.