i need help with top water lures. i have a few of them, one is for walking the dog its got a white body and a red head the other is a baby torpeado in baby bass color and i have a popper that i think is in baby bass as well. i fish in little neighborhood ponds in georgia and i have never caught a fish on top water and i dont know why. i have almost mastered walking the dog and i still cant catch a thing i was starting to think maybe the fish around here arnt used to seeing anything on top of the water. please respond with any tips you might have . thanks alot
[signature]
First and foremost, welcome to bigfishtackle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For one thing, the conditions have to be spot on in order for bass in small ponds to snagg top water baits. If it's really hot, like lately in the south east, they're probably hitting further down in the water column where the cooler water is. They might hit top water during the cooler parts of the day, like really early morning or late evening; almost dark.
This heat really affects the fishing, especially in small ponds and narrow rivers. Keep that in mind when you're fishing those small ponds. I'd try a diving rapala minnow, something that suspends in the water. Extreme heat can have a similar effect like cold does. It tends to put them in "limbo" and thier strike zone can be alot smaller.
I hope this helps.
[signature]
thnx alot ill try to go in the morning. i actualy just got back right now and i went and tried a weighted worm and couldnt get a bite on that either but it is like 98 degrees so its a little to hot. what else would u try ive tried alot in there and ive had most success on a senko red and black worm hooked wacky style. they love the wacky worm but that bites died down alittle. its realy small pond just right up the street its probably less than an acre.
[signature]
I fish a lot of small ponds in extreme weather, and I love topwater fishing...here's my advice for fishing topwater in a small pond:
1. downsize your baits - 1/8 oz or smaller will do wonders; or,
2. go natural - the more natural your baits look, the more likely they'll get bit; the thing about small pond fishing is that the fish are extremely familiar with the forage they're consuming AND, because the pond is so small they're able to inspect the offering quite well; or,
3. invoke massive amounts of patience to wait - a technique that's really paid off for me this year in clear water ponds is to cast out my offering, wait for all the ripples from the bait hitting the water to die down, then wait up to 2 more minutes without disturbing the bait, then give it ever so slight a twitch and hold on tight!
OK, that takes care of the hard baits...another tactic is not to actually go topwater, but to go just slightly sub-surface; e.g., Weightless T-rig a Tiki Worm with a 4/0 Gamagatsu hook and swim it just below the surface of the water...you'll still be getting what appears to be a topwater strike...
[signature]
I agree with both of these gentlemen. I'll throw top water for the first hour of the day only and you have to be very patient and just let it sit. Give it a couple of twitchs and wait again. Up to a min. Calm water works best for me.
[signature]
thanx guys. youve given me some great responses and i look forward to catching my first bass on top water.
[signature]
i have another question, would u use a popper or a walking the dog lure and what color would look the most natural?
[signature]
I've had good luck with poppers. But seeing as every lake appears to be different, ask your local small time bait shop. Some of my stuff works in CT and not in VT. Good Luck and nothing beats a top water bite for getting the heart pounding.
[signature]
Your color will depend alot on the color and clarity of the water.
Just remember: Dark or stained water, darker colors. Light or clear water, lighter colors.
Please tell us how you do and welcome to BFT.[cool]
[signature]
I tell you something else that works extremely well but is a little unorthidox, fly casting a small popper early or late; when the bugs are swarming on the surface. That is probably one of the most deadly tactics on small ponds. LOL, however, i've hardly ever seen anyone do it. Alot of people in my local area either wouldn't do it for fear of looking silly or just don't know how to use a fly rod.
But on a serious note, that is truely a killer way to produce fish on those small ponds.
[signature]