Welcome and nice catch!
No idea what type of fish were breaking water, could have been bait fish, bunker, spearing or anything of that sort. My best guess would be snapper blues though. They were probably breaking the water chasing after bait, usually small bunker or spearing this time of year.
Yes, top water is used as a term in saltwater fishing. Poppers are probably your most common top water lures, but you can also use top water or floating swimming plugs and lures. Top water is great type of fishing and probably the most explosive and hardest hits you will get fishing. Give the top water lures a try!
Good luck!