I’ve but to fulfill an angler who doesn’t wish to catch smallmouth bass on topwater. Not solely is experiencing an 18 inch smallmouth crushing a topwater bait thrilling, however it is usually addicting. After catching a couple of fish on high, lots of my shoppers proceed to fish the topwater bait, even when no different smallmouth reveals any curiosity. The issue is that many anglers fail to place collectively all of the items of the puzzle and likewise have solely restricted topwater success.

From June by early September, I can often be discovered on the Menominee River, in pursuit of massive smallmouth with my favourite topwater bait. Summer time fishing on inland lakes and reservoirs could be unpredictable, though I do often get into a great topwater chew. Early and late within the day smallmouth will transfer into the weeds and atop construction to feed. Nonetheless, the river is the place to be in summer season. My favourite river specifically is chucked stuffed with smallmouth and 18 inch fish are widespread. Mix summer season and a top quality smallmouth fishery and you’ll’t unfastened.

Whereas the topwater chew on the river is at all times glorious, on some years it’s higher than others. This previous summer season was top-of-the-line years for topwater fishing I’ve ever skilled. We have been locked right into a constantly scorching summer season climate sample and by August the motion was unbelievable. Smallmouth have been on the feed they usually have been very predictable. Actually, I had the topwater chew patterned as to the instances it could begin and finish. A few of my shoppers have been amazed at not solely the topwater chew however how correct my predictions have been.

Occasionally you get these memorable days when the topwater chew is superior, and also you can not seem to do something improper. One such day was final August once I bought along with my good friend Jim Saydak from Hammond, Indiana. I spoke with Jim the evening earlier than and informed him the smallmouth fishing was nice, so he was all pumped by the point we met on the boat touchdown the subsequent morning.

We met about 8:30 and I began fishing with a Yo-Zuri Hardcore crankbait and urged Jim use a white 4 inch tender plastic jerkbait. I defined to Jim that he ought to because of the restricted present, the fish can be holding a bit deeper and that he ought to rig the jerkbait wacky fashion. We caught an occasional smallmouth however nothing we may sample. I informed Jim that the fishing was solely going to get higher because the day progressed.

About 10:00 I moved to a small weedbed and tied on a Yo-Zuri ZZ-Pop and informed Jim issues have been going to occur. The ZZ-Pop creates a loud gurgling, spitting, splashing, and popping noises with each twitch. On the second solid an 18 inch smallmouth smashed the bait and it was quickly airborne and the battle started. After I launched the smallmouth, Jim requested if I had one other a kind of baits. He tied on and after I gave him a brief course on the right way to work it, he quickly caught a pleasant smallmouth.

For the subsequent few hours we caught what appeared like a smallmouth on each second or third solid. Smallmouth started breaking the floor and feeding on small grey minnows. The small grey minnows have been feeding on small bugs. Smallmouth are on the highest of the meals chain and have been profiting from the state of affairs. The motion was so good that Jim and I might watch for a smallmouth to rise, and solid the topwater lure proper on the ripple. This was a simple goal, and if we bought inside a couple of inches we often linked with the smallmouth. I informed Jim that this was an nearly day by day feeding sample.

About 2:00 the topwater motion got here to an abrupt halt. We caught a couple of extra huge smallmouth with tender plastic jerkbaits however nothing on high. On the way in which again to the boat touchdown, Jim mentioned he fished topwater baits for smallmouth earlier than however he had by no means caught so many smallmouth, to not point out the typical measurement. We most likely caught 15 smallmouth within the 18 to twenty inch class. What an unbelievable day in anybody’s ebook.

On the river I exploit a wide range of topwater baits however do have my favorites. The ZZ-Pop as I discussed earlier is a wonderful selection, however the Yo-Zuri 3-D Popper is an in depth second. A pair of inner metal balls emit strike-provoking clicks and rattles on the slightest motion and in addition maximize casting distance. High colours for each baits embody Gold/black and Tennessee Shad. Each these shade patterns have an orange stomach. I’ve had nice success with 20 inch plus smallmouth with the Yo-Zurri Reside Bait ZZ Walker. This tender bodied bait has an motion much like a Zara Spook. Nonetheless, the tender physique and extremely sharp hooks end in a a lot greater hook up ratio than the spook.

I exploit each casting and spinning deal with and for probably the most half is a private desire. When utilizing a spinning rod select a medium motion rod like a the Lamiglas XMG 50 collection EXS 663. For a casting rod I favor an EXC 722 or an XC 734 Topwater Particular. I spool my spinning reel with Yo-Zuri Hybrid Extremely Gentle which is a fluorocarbon/nylon mix designed particularly for spinning reels. On my casting reel I exploit Yo-Zuri Hardcore X-Tex Cobra in 12 pound check or 20 pound Cortland Grasp Braid.