This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
LIP GRIPPER


TOPWATER LURES WORK BEST WITH THE ROD TIP HELD LOW SO THE LURE


MAKES THE MOST COMMOTION. PHOTO: CHRIS FUNK


[M U LTI-S P ECI E S]


TOPWATER TANGO T


THESE POPPER-PROS KNOW HOW TO DANCE BY BEN DUCHESNEY


opwater lures are an exciting and productive way to catch fish, but learning to use a surface-walker can be frustrating and intimidating. For tips and tricks on choosing and using topwater lures, we asked three pros for some dance lessons.


WIDE-MOUTH RECEIVERS


Hook 1 proprietor and Kayak Bassin’ TV star, Chad Hoover uses topwater frogs to nail big largemouth. “The lure is like a wide re- ceiver,” says Hoover, “but the quarterback can’t make the pass if the receiver keeps stopping on the field.” He suggests working the lure steadily so the fish will be able to anticipate its path. Hoover likes a seven-foot, medium-heavy rod and conventional reel with a 7:1 retrieve ratio that allows him to quickly rip the lure across the water or slowly work it inch-by-inch. The reel is spooled with 30- to 50-pound braided line attached with an Albright knot to a six-foot piece of 20-pound monofilament leader. “Braided line is more sensitive to feel the slightest bite and has less stretch for a solid hookset,” he explains. To finesse a strike, Hoover will let the lure rest on the surface and use his finger to tickle the line. “This gives the lure extra vibration,” he says, “without moving it across the water.”


TROUT ON TOP


Hobie Fishing tournament pro Marty Mood has fished for speckled trout from the Gulf Coast to the mid-Atlantic. “My favorite time to fish topwater is on windy days,” says Mood, “when bait is concen- trated and fish are on the feed.” Mood likes to work a Super Spook, One Knocker or Chug’n Spook lure across shallow grass beds and over sandy potholes. “Big, loud lures imitate wounded baitfish or snapping shrimp,” says Mood. The chaos and violence of a topwater strike makes setting the hook one of the toughest skills to master. Mood stresses, “before setting the hook, wait until you feel the weight of the fish on the line.” He recommends a softer hook-set as opposed to hauling back hard on the rod. “A long, seven-and-a-half-foot rod can help take up slack line on the strike,” he says, “and a slower, softer tip keeps the angler from pulling the lure out of the fish’s mouth.”


EASY TARGETS


Adam Taylor, president of the Casco Bay Anglers Club, stalks the shallow flats of Maine for striped bass. He targets access and am- bush points like a river mouth or drop off at dawn and dusk. To cast large surface flies, Taylor uses a nine-foot, nine-weight fly rod and a nine-foot leader tied to weight-forward tarpon line. Taylor chooses topwater patterns that match a wounded baitfish. “I like poppers, gurglers and Skitter Pops,” says Taylor, “any imita- tion that pushes a big splash of water.” When sight casting to striped bass; presentation is everything. “Don’t land the lure on the fish’s head,” he says, “cast five or 10 feet ahead, let the lure sit for a second and then start the retrieve.” “If you get a short strike, stop retrieving the lure,” says Taylor, “striper like to stun their prey and then return to finish it off.” He sug- gests re-starting the retrieve slowly, then picking up speed as the lure moves towards the boat. “This mimics a dazed baitfish realizing it barely escaped,” he says.


40…KAYAK ANGLER


Heddon Chug’n Spook: Adds a hefty splash to the classic “walk-the-dog” surface sashay. www.heddonlures.com


Bass Pro Shops XPS Professional Series Buzzbait: This inline buzzbait casts into the wind. www.basspro.com


Rapala Skitter Pop: The loudest spitting sound of any topwater. www.rapala.com


Rainy’s Soft Foam Inshore Popper: Light enough for surface action and heavy enough to cast into the wind. www.rainysflies.com


Water Walkers THESE SURFACE LURES POP, CHUG AND BUZZ


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84