I don't think anyone can argue that fishing with topwater lures is probably the most exciting and rewarding kind of hardware fishing a person can do. Whether it be a sutle sucking in or the dynamite explosion of a blowup, fishing with topwaters is an adrenaline pumping experience. As I wrote some time ago, I've never read of who really started fishing for redfish and trout with these lures. Fishing with surface, noisy floaters in offshore waters has been going on for decades, but calling the inshore species in is more of a recent phenomenon. I just know they work. Clear, muddy, calm,or choppy topwaters will catch fish. You just gotta use the right one, the right way, and you'll also experience that adrenaline rush.
The kinds of topwaters are endless. The one thing they all have in common is that they mimic the mullet. Some make no sound, some are soft sounding, some are very loud, and then some make "croaker sounds". Once again the kind depends on the weather and water conditions.
Lets start with one of those days that most fishermen dream of....no wind, glass slick conditions. We pray for those days and then bad mouth 'em because we can't move without a trolling motor and its so hot we can't breath. Those are the days that the smaller, less rattle lures will payoff. Its usually pretty easy to see bait on these days and matching the bait will definitely help. Work your bait in the normal "walk -the_dog" fashion, but alternate speeding it up and slowing it down. Many times trout will only slap at the lure and that's when slowing or completely stopping the bait will pay off. Remember that on those glass slick days, the fish can see very well and by using smaller terminal tackle and smaller leader material could result in more hookups. The one thing to always remember is that don't take the bait away from the strike zone. The biggest mistake most fishermen make is trying to set the hook on a topwater strike.....DON"T DO IT! Let the fish hook themselves. Keep the bait in the zone where the blowup occurred. Many times, especially with reds, they will follow your slow retrieve and strike again and again.
On those days that are windy, the water is choppy and off-colored , and no bait can be seen anywhere, its time to drag out the big guns. You need a topwater that not only makes noise but leaves a wake in the water as it works. The Livingston Spray Can large beads topwater is one of those lures. Top Dogs, Zara Spooks, and H2Os fill the bill also. All of these lures are designed to be worked in the "Walk the Dog" fashion, but many times using the technique of slashing the bait with a sharp jerk of the rod, letting it set for a second or two, and repeating the slash will result in really big blowups. The key in these conditions mimic the calm water tactics in that never try to set the hook on a blowup....you will simply pull the lure out of the strike zone.
Using topwaters can become addictive. My Prostaff partner, David Wood will put a topwater on when we leave the marina and fish with that ONE LURE all day long! Thats addiction and dedication...he catches lots of fish and usually big ones.
If you haven't tried topwaters in the salt give it a try...you hook fish and get hooked.
