By Craig Price
Summer has been slow leave us this year, but surface feeding activity by hybrids, stripers, bass, and perch began in mid-September on local impoundments. With the best action still to come in Nov-Dec, now’s a good time to brush up on fishing topwater lures.
The design options for topwater lures are many. Personally, I like to fish walking lures like spooks or topdogs, but on any given day you might try poppers, buzzbaits, shallow running stickbaits; even spinnerbaits, bucktails, and swimbaits can be fished on or just below the surface.
The first rule of thumb for fishing close to the surface is low light conditions are optimal. Most predatory fish look and feed upwards. They don’t have eyelids or sunglasses so bright light is tough on their big eyes. On cloudy days, gamefish may “bust bait” on the surface all morning or throughout the entire day. This is especially true once the surface water temperature has fallen below 70⁰F, and the predators can move more freely throughout the entire water column. The lower light periods at dawn and dusk are the best times to look for surface activity on sunny days.
Of course, there are exceptions to the above. Spotted bass like chasing bait near the surface on sunny days. Schools of newly hatched, small baits get “lit up” by the bright sun, and like neon signs, they become more visible and enticing to the bass. From late fall into winter, warming surface water on bright days actually works in the bass’s favor because schools of bait are drawn to the warmer surface zone.
Striped bass and hybrids also have proclivities for surface feeding. Though they usually prefer the lower light periods at sunrise and sunset, they often feed near the surface throughout low light, cloudy days. They are also nocturnal feeders, taking advantage of surface feeding opportunities at night.
Gamefish busting bait near the surface are easiest to detect when conditions are still. Wind doesn’t stop topwater action, it’s just much harder to see when the water is choppy. Windward banks and flats are good places to look for surface activity when the wind blows.
Ideally one looks for multiple fish breaking the surface, indicating a competing pod or school of fish, but casting to individual swirls can be productive if the cast is made quickly and accurately.
When selecting a topwater design, “matching the hatch” is a good place to start. I suggest balancing your lure selection against the size of the primary forage and the size of the predators. Bigger is not always better, but I’ve been surprised many times by how small a fish will eat a really big bait (and vice versa). And keep in mind, the fish may want baits on top of the water one day, or just beneath the surface the next.
When fishing lures on top, or anytime for that matter, think in terms of “quiet baits vs. loud baits”. Still conditions make it much easier for gamefish to see or sense their prey. Try smaller presentations that make little or no noise and have less aggressive actions. Slower retrieves and pauses can be very effective in this situation.
In windy conditions, try larger profiles, more vibration or sound, and more aggressive retrieves. Shallow running lures that don’t break the surface may be most effective in a substantial chop. And don’t forget the old adage – bright baits for bright days and dark baits for dark days. Dark colors also provide the best profile contrast against the night sky.
Topwater action occurs throughout the year, but fall and winter present some of the best opportunities to fish these lures around schools of active gamefish. Having a few topwaters ready at all times is advisable as the surface blitzes may be brief. When you find them busting bait, get your breathing and adrenaline rush under control, observe what’s happening, and try different lures and retrieves as needed. Being prepared and proficient always produces more Fish On!