Don't Forget The Basics
Advanced Top Water
by: Chad T. Keogh (Badchad)
When fishing top water lures equipped with treble hooks, you want to use a rod with a fairly soft tip. This will reduce the possibility of pulling the hooks out of the bass’ mouth. I use a Quantum Tour Edition PT, 6’4”, medium-light action baitcast rod matched to a Quantum Accurist PT reel spooled with 12 lb test Mustad UL MAX line.
Probably the hardest part of top water fishing is controlling your instinctive reflex to set the hook the instant the bass explodes under your lure. DON’T set the hook until you feel the weight of the bass on your line.
Top water lures work all day when bass are active. Don’t believe the myth that you only throw top water lures in low light conditions such as morning and evening. Some of my best top water bites have come between noon and 3pm with bright sunshine and blue skies.
