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Sizzling Topwater Tactics for Bass by Darl Black

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Sizzling Topwater Tactics for Bass by Darl Black Sizzling Topwater Tactics for Bass by Darl Black Mirrored tranquility is marred by a minor disturbance on the surface as a topwater lure gradually makes its way towards the angler. Suddenly, the bait disappears in an explosion of white spray. Nothing compares to the heart- pounding excitement of topwater fishing for bass. During early autumn as lake water begins to cool, bass schools that made deeper water their home for the summer now push into the shallows. This is the prime time to be throwing topwater lures, according to hardcore angler Bryan Stuyvesant, Meadville. “With bass in transition during the mid-September through mid-October timeframe, the day to day bite can be tough,” said Stuyvesant. “There are some bass offshore, some bass moving to the shallows and other bass on banks. At this time of year, these predators have their eyes looking upward for signs of migrating baitfish schools traveling near the surface. It’s the perfect scenario to work select photo-Darl Black topwater baits, because you can cover a lot of water quickly with them. Plus, these baits can be your fishing location. By the time you arrive, the blade and presented in extremely shallow water as well as over deep water.” rivet contact should be worn sufficiently to squeal during a Stuyvesant is a fan of “walking baits,” especially when it comes water retrieve. to Smallmouth Bass. Walking baits refers to topwater lures Stuyvesant uses a more dignified approach. “I straighten the designed to sashay left and then right during the retrieve when tip of the wire arm to allow the rotating rivet and buzzer blade the angler imparts the proper nuances during the presentation. to be removed. Holding the rivet with a vise grip, I take 6 to 8 “I like a big cigar-shaped bait such as the classic Spook. First, file strokes on the flat side of the rivet that contacts the blade I remove the stock hooks and replace them with higher quality, support. Then, I take the same number of strokes on the blade razor-sharp #2 trebles. My topwater rod is a 6½-foot medium support (where it passes through the wire arm of the buzzbait action-casting rod spooled with braided line. A #2 double form). You want to increase contact with both surfaces as well locking snap is tied on the end of the line to attach the bait. With as make it rough. Then, put the buzzer blade and rivet back in a big bait and braided line, I can cast that topwater a country place, bending the tip of the wire form at a 90-degree angle to mile,” said Stuyvesant with a smile. hold everything in place. Now, you have a squeaky buzzbait.” Stuyvesant prefers a walking surface lure when fishing water Bassmaster Elite Angler Dave Lefebre, Erie, also fishes deeper than 6 feet. However, when he observes fish chasing bait walking topwater baits and buzzbaits in the fall. “I have my in extremely shallow water, he reaches for a buzzbait. best success on topwater when water temperatures are falling Experienced bass chasers insist a buzzbait must “squeak” to from about 65-degrees to 55-degrees F, although I have taken be an effective fish catcher. Brand new buzzers do not squeak bass on walking baits down to 50-degrees F.” properly. One way to break in a buzzbait is to tape it to your Lefebre’s tip for buzzbaits is to go small and get rid of the vehicle’s side mirror, so the blade spins freely, and drive to standard skirt. “I take a 1/8-ounce buzzbait or a small profile 36 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • September/October 2016 PFBC Facebook: PaFishandBoat photo-Darl Black photo-Darl Pictured here is an array of surface walking baits. On the left are several classic cigar-shaped walking baits. On right are select chuggers and propeller topwater baits that are capable of walking (turning left and right) when manipulated by experienced topwater anglers. ¼-ounce model, remove the skirt and replace it with a 4-inch soft tube lure. Apply Super Glue to the head of the tube to make sure it stays on the buzzbait. With the wind-resistant skirt gone, the little buzzbait can be thrown a long distance on braided line. Then, instead of big-time churning of the surface, I retrieve the bait with a slow steady pace resulting in minimal disturbance. Bass generally swim up and suck it in rather than exploding on photo-Jim Gronaw it, but you end up with a higher percent of fish hook-ups.” During the fall transition, Largemouth Bass are susceptible to both On walking baits, Lefebre endorses the application of a teaser walking baits in open water as well as buzzers over shallow vegetation. in front of the walking bait. The teaser is usually a white feather treble hook or hand-tied streamer placed in front of the walking bait. The teaser is tied with a Palomar Knot, leaving a 2-foot tag of line to attach the walking bait. During the retrieve, the teaser Dave Lefebre working a resembles a minnow trying to escape from a slightly larger buzzbait over shallow predator fish. Being competitive, bass will recklessly chomp the vegetation for Largemouth Bass. larger walking bait, and sometimes a second bass will nail the teaser. Two hooked at once—that’s fun. While cigar-style baits are commonly used for dog-walking, certain chuggers and propeller plugs will also walk. With a chugger or prop bait, you get the added action of spitting and spritzing water during the retrieve. photo-Darl Black Taking YOUR TOpwater FOR A strOLL Walking a plug on the surface is all about developing a rhythm between the rod tip movement and the plug. It takes practice. Most anglers work a walker with the rod tip down close to the water’s surface. I’ve observed anglers who work photo-Darl Black it with the rod tip high, but I find it awkward. I always attach the cigar-shape walkers and prop baits with a #2 cross-lock Lefebre prefers smaller buzzers snap or split ring. However, I tie the chuggers direct. Using modified for longer casts. He only my wrist and forearm, I snap the rod tip towards the removes the skirt of a 1/8-ounce surface. In smooth continuing motion, I quickly return the or small profile 1/4-ounce buzzer rod tip to the start position. The total distance of downward and replaces it with a 4-inch rod tip movement is roughly 6- to 12-inches. tube bait. With less resistance The downward snap pulls on the bait creating some and more weight in the tube, his forward momentum but immediately returning the rod casts are longer. tip to its original position throws slack line to the bait. A properly constructed walker will slide either left or right when offered slack line. The next downward rod snap-and- return will slide the bait in the opposite direction. Once you figure out the proper rhythm, you can increase or decrease the cadence. photo-Darl Black PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • September/October 2016 37.
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