Topwater Time

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Topwater Time
By HAYLEY LYNCH, Kentucky Afield magazine

It's not new, but the Hula Popper is
still a top choice for topwater fishing

Along with warm temperatures and long days, summer brings topwater action to bass anglers. Now is one of the best times of the year to catch fish on surface presentations. "When fish are more active because of warmer temperatures this time of year, they are more likely to feed on the surface," said Dave Dreves, a fisheries research biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

"A lot of people think when it's hot, the fish don't feed as much. Well, their metabolisms are higher, so they have to eat."

Dreves says largemouth bass are biting on the water's surface in ponds now, while white bass and hybrid striped bass, as well as largemouth bass, are biting in reservoirs. Smallmouth bass are feeding on top in streams. Bass generally bite best on topwater baits during the morning and evening.

Shad that were spawned a few months ago are now big enough to catch the attention of bass. Try chuggers that resemble these baitfish, such as a white or silver Pop-R or Chug Bug. Dreves also recommends surface lures with propellers on the back or both back and front. Size can range from 2½ to 5 inches. Dreves suggests fishing a Zara Spook using a "walk the dog" retrieve. Use your wrist to create a rhythmic retrieve, letting the lure twitch back and forth on a slack line.

Dreves notes that since the 17-year cicada emergence has ended, bass may now key on frogs and other surface prey. Try a frog-imitating lure in green or brown.

"I grew up fishing in farm ponds where I would throw a Snag Proof Frog around the edges of the pond on top of filamentous algae - commonly called moss," said Dreves. "You can throw a frog on top of those thick mats, and the bass will blow up through the vegetation and eat the frog. It's a real exciting way to fish."

Anglers should also try buzzbaits and spinnerbaits for summer topwater action. "Most of the time, buzzbaits are used in the early morning," said John Williams, southeast fisheries district coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. "Anglers switch to something a little slower and a little deeper later on."

Some anglers prefer a double buzzbait for added noise and action. Bass strike these lures out of irritation, to get the intruder out of their territory - so the more commotion, the better. Good colors are white, chartreuse and black. Buzzbaits must be retrieved quickly so they don't sink.

"The water's warm so the fish ought to be active," said Williams. "I would think burning them, with a fairly fast retrieve would work right now."

Night fishing is warming up now as anglers try to beat the summer heat. Try spinnerbaits in black, fished just under the surface at night. Jitterbugs in black are another good choice. Use either a steady retrieve or work the lure 4-5 feet at a time, and pause for a few seconds between retrieves. Chuggers also work well at night. Williams recommends anglers try fishing these lures over shallow flats.

Finally, be patient. The thrill of watching a bass strike your lure on the water's surface may cause you to set the hook too quickly.

"If you set the hook when you see the strike, you'll pull the lure out of the fish's mouth," cautioned Dreves. "Make yourself wait till you feel the strike before setting the hook."

Author Hayley Lynch is an award-winning writer for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. She is an avid hunter and shotgun shooter.