side-to-side motion; but its concave face spits, splashes and pushes water.
When it is slick calm and sunny, I will switch up to the IMA Skimmer or its slightly larger sibling the Skimmer Grande. The Skimmer has a slender subtle profile that appeals to more tentative fish, it is a finesse topwater. The Skimmer skates and glides across the surface leaving its signature swirl behind it following each change of direction.
During low light conditions, such as early morning or over cast skies, I have found good success with solid, opaque colors such as Bone or Blue Back Herring. When there is more visible light, I don’t want the fish to get a real good look at the bait, making translucent colors such as Ghost Minnow or Ghost Blue Back well suited to these situations
I like to work my stickbaits with a steady cadence. There are times however, especially when fishing for spotted bass or smallies, when the fish will swirl at the bait and miss. Sometimes, they will knock the bait clear out of the water or jump over the top of
it. When this happens, increasing the
retrieve
speed can be just the ticket to getting them to commit.
TACKLE DEETS
Having the appropriate topwater is only half of the
equipment equation. For maximum success and enjoyment, it is equally important to have a suitable rod and reel combination. Measuring 7’ with a medium-fast action, the Cousins Tackle GP704T is my preferred topwater stick. It has a parabolic bend and just the right action for manipulating topwater baits and getting the fish in the boat. To complete the combination I match the rod to a low profile, 7:3:1, high-speed casting reel filled with 35-pound Sunline BX2 Braided Line.
Braid is an important component to my topwater system. Not only does braid cast easily for distance, but, it also has almost zero stretch. The direct connection between angler and bait facilitates a positive hookset, even at the end of a long cast and enables the bait to be worked with far less effort. To the mainline, I attach a length of 20-pound Sunline Clear Super Natural Monofilament using an Alberto knot to join the braid to the mono. The leader serves a dual purpose, it provide a bit of stretch and keeps the braid from fouling with the hooks.
If you love topwater
fishing, be sure to
highlight the post spawn period on your
calendar.
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