Spring Topwater Bass Fishing - Everything You Need To Know!
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Whopper Ploppers, Frogs, Poppers, Buzzbaits, and Walking baits are all great Spring topwater lures. Today Matt explains the signs that the topwater bite has started, where to throw the lures, and when each style is effective. He also gives key tips on retrieve, cadence, color, and gear selection.
The excitement of a topwater explosion is unlike anything else in bass fishing. Once you've had an explosive strike you can't wait for the next! Knowing when to put the time in to get those bites is the key. Is today a good day for a popper? Would you have caught more bass with a buzzbait? Matt explains explains how to choose the baits based on conditions, fish behavior, and location.
Color selection is very simple with Spring topwater. If you cover the 3 basics of white, black, and chartreuse, you're prepared for virtually any situation. It doesn't hurt to throw a natural bluegill in from time to time as well.
Below is a breakdown of the baits Matt discussed in the video as well as Matt's top choices for hook upgrades, rods, reels, and more.
Walking Baits...
-River2Sea Rover 128: bit.ly/2acSVea
-Reaction Innovations Vixen: bit.ly/2rp11nr
-Bubble Walker 128: bit.ly/2e0PZOY
Poppers...
-Yellow Magic 1/2 oz: bit.ly/2al0dKP
-Splash It Standard: bit.ly/2Fp8MQV
-Bubble Walker 80: bit.ly/2e0PZOY
Frogs...
-Bully Wa 2: bit.ly/2axyR2a
-Gavacho: bit.ly/2L7KsWS
Buzzbaits...
-D&M Slow Roller (Clacker removed): bit.ly/2t7BMKt
-Brabec Double Buzz: bit.ly/2OVAfjy
Whopper Ploppers...
-Whopper Plopper 75 and 110: bit.ly/2bsPbQV
Hook Replacements...
Regular Treble Owner ST-36: bit.ly/2cWpeyw
(small baits size 4, large baits size 2)
Feathered Treble Gamaktsu Black: bit.ly/2Ii4IXO
Split Rings Owner Hyperwire (Size 2,3,4): bit.ly/2v8ArBX
All-Around topwater Rod...
Rod- Curado 7' Medium: bit.ly/2E9gktQ
Reel- Shimano SLX 150: bit.ly/2NfdOnk
Line- 40 lb Power Pro: bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb: bit.ly/2ae97J9
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Equipment We Recommend...
Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: bit.ly/2pAkXr2
Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
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ElectroSamson Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
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Frogs are a heartache on a string.
I’ve had so many fish BLOW UP on Rats and frogs that scared the death out of me. I’m 65 years old and I’ve got to watch those heart stopping events. 🐸👍🏻
lol yeah. sry but when I read your comment I imagined a bass blowing up and a guy on a boat grabbing his inhaler ty
Hey guys just wanna say thank you. Been fishing for like 2 months and have watched all your videos everything I know about bass fishing is thanks to you guys. 44 catches so far. THANK YOU from the capital of fishing!!
Thanks for explaining WHY to use a mono leader with braid.
Chuck Barnett I started doing it last year after one of their videos. Love it.
Caught my first fish on a frog, turned out to be my new PB, 5.86.
She jumped out of the reeds, and choked it.
Thanks for all of the great videos!!!
badass!
Tried throwing some topwaters here in Minnesota on April 8 but the bass couldn't quite break through the ice to get at them.
Ted Higman sounds like you need a flamethrower
Or take the super-extra-HD poppers. They can be found near/upon the mountains: BOULDERS
Lol
lol
Sorry..here in cali the top water fight is about to take off .
I'm officially in love with this channel! I am just getting back into fishing and you guys have answered so many questions!!!!! I'll be binge watching all your videos this week!
Usually, I can't listen to someone talk for a half hour. I think I could listen to this guy talk fishing for hours.
What a great channel!
Congrats on 200k! You guys put out the most knowledgeable fishing content on UA-cam and it’s not even close. My fishing has improved so much and I owe it to you guys!
Matt gives all this great advise to all of us and it doesn’t cost us a dime and then you have some people bitching about ads or whatever. Thank you Matt. I hope you make a ton of money doing what you love.
If you download and use Brave Browser you don't get ads at all.
I felt that all of this info was extremely on point, but the only thing I would have mentioned in addition is how to deal with the strike. When you see that blow up the 1st thing you want to do is set that hook, but I have found that I will more often yank the bait out of the fish's mouth with an early hook set. I basically count to 2 and then around the that time I will feel the fish either yank or see my bait on the top of the water. That is when the hook set needs to happen. If your bait is on the top of the water just a couple of small twitches trying to keep it in the same place will generally get that fish to come back and slam it. I love everything about this channel, and tried to watch every video that y'all put out. Your information is fantastic, and very appreciated! Keep it up
This is the best fishing channel on UA-cam. You guys do good work. By far my favorite fishing channel... Keep it up!
Same here
These vids always get me tuned up to get out there and try all these new tips and tricks! Great job as always Matt ... Tactical is money
Found your videos after catching my first fish with my Rebel Pop-R. I had no luck last year using it standard style, but I started walking it last night and got my first top-water action ever. Exciting stuff!
Been HOOKED on your videos!!! You guys get after it!!! I'm going into my 21st season with an Idaho guide license chasing Trout with fly rods on the South Fork of the Snake River. I'm actually coming to fish Clear Lake April 18th-27th with some Bassin buddies. If any guides in the area have a day open in that window and would like to trade a day of guided trout fishing in my area for a guided day on Clear Lake that would be Killa. If you know any one who might be interested in this please pass along the word. I know most " Bass guys" hate catching "slime rockets" but maybe there's one out there. Anyone visiting Jackson Hole or Yellowstone in Summer is in my zone during prime time. Can't wait to try some of the things I've learned here on your home lake. Thanks for all the great information.
I just happened to get to work way too early this morning, thinking what the hell am I doing here already. And then the stars align, TB video pops up and BOOM💥💥30min top water video!!!! You guys are awesome, thank you
Ha! Perfect timing!
I caught my personal best up here in Massachusetts on a buzz bait. 7.5 ponder Came up and slammed it right after it got through the lily pads. 15 years later I will never forget that fish
Just the video I needed! For the longest...I was so confused as to when to start throwing topwater and which kinds of baits I should be throwing. Now I know! Thanks TacticalBassin!
He's absolutely right.im from up North in Ohio and as soon as I noticed bluegill which my lake bass absolutely love up in the shallows by the Moss I started getting slammed with my Whopper plopper and walking bait.once I see them start schooling shad I go with my skitter popper and throw it by the schooling shad and I know the bass are right behind that school trailing them.works Everytime.im addicted to top water fishing lol.Matt knows his fishing because he's spot on.
In the morning and evenings . I'm thinking early April once the ice is gone🤓🇺🇸🎣
Finally hit over 200K subscribers! Congratulations!!! Best channel on UA-cam PERIOD!
Excellent explanation on whey some poppers cost a bit more but can be walked. I've never heard this shared before, thank you!
Thank you Matt so much that’s TacticalBassin right there this is the very best top water video I have ever watched I absorbed every word. You sir are the man.
Warming up in Kentucky. Great springtime top water tips Matt. Thanks and God Bless.
Kentucky crew 🏆 🏆
My lake is really high so not great fishing right now
Nolin lake around me in Kentucky is doing great right now.
I'm going to try Nolin this Saturday barren river is terrible.
Agreed. Barren is still really high. White bass should be moving out of Nolin lake into the river to spawn. So I’m gonna try to go hit them in the next few days. Goodluck!
Thank yo so much for sharing such a great knowledge with the rest of us! Im new with Top Water lures and this information to me is Golden!! I started with Whopper Plopper because it’s the easiest to use and boy the explosions are amazing!! Totally addicted now! Ready to use all the other ones. I Have always Admire your knowledge and thanks again for making me a better Angler.
I've found your videos to be the most informative out of any tutorials I've seen. You do a great job of covering all my questions thank you !
You have the best Channel on UA-cam always learn so much listening to you thank you so much
David Baker agree
Nose_Art_Guy_dotcom Ok if you say so
Most informative UA-cam fishing videos out there. Keep it up guys! You deserve way more subscribers.
nothing beats topwater. great video
I just put frogs in my box yesterday thinking topwater and this came today
always perfect timing tactical thx
I have to tell you man I've been watching your videos for a while and you are getting so polished. I can't believe you did that all in one take. Awesome work.
For walking poppers, I discovered the Storm Arashi Cover Pop and it has a big profile, small weight but walks effortlessly and will trigger good one!
I got a couple of these and was surprised how huge they were! Do they make ones a little smaller?
@@mr.skeptical3071 don't remember seeing other sizes and the Storm website doesn't show other sizes either... One thing I'll add, I can't recall a time where the size of them had a negative impact so I wouldn't bother to much honestly
Another good one you can catch on sale alot are the Heddon Chug n Spooks. Walk really well, and when you see one swirl that just missed you can just pop it in the area before going back to walking and usually get them to come back. Lol just the other day had a four lbs LM swipe at it three times before nailing it the fourth.
Matt, I am saying Thank You for this video especially 👍💯. After watching this I bought a Bubble Walker 80 in Bluegill and went night fishing on this past Full Moon.. I used one of my new EDGE Rods by Gary Loomis 754 MH moderate... it casts a mile,and after one of my bomb casts, Kaboom (2nd pop) a 5.64 got both sets of trebles....I was singing your praise and laughing as I heard and felt her jumping so far out, it was cloudy and breezy so I fought her blind 😉 🙀 I posted the photo on IG...Thanks Again...oh, I had throw the Loon Whopper Plopper, and a Rat, I love The Bubble Walker 80 😂😂😂
I'm actually headed to the lake today thanks for the video! You always have me trying out new things and they work!
Wish me luck Matt!
Good luck!!
Threw top water for the first time yesterday out of curiosity and had a mega spot fly up out of a tree top practically boat side!! Unfortunately didn't catch it on cam because I really wasnt expecting it. Never got another bite but like you mentioned after that first explosion im sold till winter.
Just wanted to say thanks for all the great videos. Recently ordered some Dirty Jigs TL Pitching in Go-To and caught my PB yesterday with a RI Sweet Beaver Tramp Stamp trailer. Then watched this video since I felt I was moving to fast with my top water this morning, but wasn't sure what to try till after this video. Picked up a couple Googan Hounds (only thing Scheels had on hand) and caught 3 this afternoon fishing over the grass. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us.
Thats awesome man! We're happy to help and it's great to hear you're putting in the work and making it happen 🎣
Lol at 7:42 or so I thought you had already got a treble to the finger, always thankful for those moments when they just scare you a bit but don't go in past the barb.
Awesome video Matt I finally got my little brother on a small topwater bite yesterday he was throwing a small $1 popper but he was reeling it super slow and it was making a slow wobble on the surface he caught 3 in 15 casts one of which was his PB (only 2lbs but still) I think he's finally hooked on fishing
That's awesome!!
Your Bully Wa compilation from years back is still a go to video for me when i want to get pumped up to fish. You guys need to make another one of those.
The only bass I caught this winter was caught on a G2 Shellcracker in January, on topwater, at sunset. The water was cold, but everyday, at sunset small fish got active in the shallows and bass were there. Had some more bites on the G2 and also on the 7" MS Slammer, but only caught that one fish on the Shellcracker G2. The Shellcracker G2 is an awesome bait and I've seen a few PB's from people in the USA caught on that bait. People who fish a lot of different swimbaits, even giant baits, but their PB was caught on this small bait. I would like to watch you talk about this great little bait. :)
Thanks for the tips. You aren’t kidding about losing your mind throwing tops on straight braid. But I agree, you need that braid in the long cast hook sets. Will definitely try a short mono leader to avoid running over line with my hooks. Thanks again
As always Matt & Tim, you guys rock the info showing the newcomers and seasoned angler the know how and get out there, and get your tug on! Great info boys!
Excellent video. Been hammering the LM bass at night this week on the whopper plopper 90. I'm so grateful for the topwater experience. It's my absolute favorite👌
Yep!! Spent $100 bucks with TW on frogs!! Tactical Bassin did it again. Lol.
Thanks for the great tips
That bubble Walker is legit.
I ordered a couple spring before last because you guy's recommend it now I have an entire box of just Bubble Walker's
Yeah buddy!!
Thanks for the great video and info Matt! Back in the seventies early eighties i threw a strike king timber buzz. It had a simple spoon with an in-line triple plastic blade up front. It made that whisper quiet gurgle and was easy to work slowly. I can honestly say i have never lost a fish that hooked up on one. I lost my last one years ago but I scour the used market from time to time looking for them.
Yes!!!!! ThankYou! I just asked you about this the other day! Awesome you guys are the best!
Love ur in depth videos don't be scared experienced fisherman crave it I really appreciate it
These are the best videos on you tube, I'm thankful for the time you take to help us fish better. Who are the 10 people who gave this video a thumbs down? Amazing
Thank you for the education, buzzbait is my go to and I will look for the plastic ones. Have a blessed day.
I love watching tou guys, for this vid in example i feel like im already pretty good at getting those frog bites in the spring yet i still learned some stuff, and its that way with every gid no matter how much i already know
Some times ill pop the whopper ploper 2-3 time and then pause, the fish at my lake are pretty pressured. Works pretty good
years ago i had a ball with topwater bait called a devils toothpick. caught a lot of fish. cant hardly find them anymore. theyre antiques.it would float vertically with the head up like an injured.made by smithwick i think
Slowing down poppers in the winter works really well in the lakes around me in Oklahoma
great video another color is the bone white, that color works great once the topwater bite is on. one of my favorites to use is the yo-zuri 3db pencil bait in bone white color, has an amazing walking action. you can walk it fast with long side to side turns or walk it slow with little side to side turns, depends on how hard you twitch the rod. has done wonders for me during mid summer. im headed out of lucerne CA. this morning to throw the yo zuri and the whopper plopper for the first time this year in hopes of catching that monster bass. if that doesnt work im changing up too a jerkbait, ive had luck already this year with a jerkbait, caught some 3 pounders and a few 2 lb crappie on it. i live in lucerne so if you ever see me out on my bright orange ocean kayak im always willing to give up some info on what ive been using that day and if i caught anything. lately ive seen the suspended big females held up in cover mid day and had them annihilate the weightless wacky rig senko, they waited until it hit bottom (or close to bottom) and darted at it and blasted the senko with the force of a topwater bite, i had slack line and they hit it so hard that they pretty much hooked themselves.
Don't know if this has been mentioned already but I use the granddaddy of poppers, the hula popper, in red and white out on open water when smallmouths are herding minnows and slashing through the schools
Arbogast have a few great proven top waters. Those Hulas and the Jitterbugs whether jointed or solid always do good, and the old Rebel Pop'rs
ya i love top water, skitter pops, and also subwalks are great sub surface walk the dog style lure. great video once again, I like hearing your take on Northern fishing in the spring or anytime, some of the conditions and scenarios you spoke on had my antennas up but you were spot on saying the same shit I be telling my friends half the time, haha so ya man love Tactical Bassin's perspective, actually adopted a few tricks regarding tackle and technique during prespawn so great vid keep em coming
Wow! This video was really in depth. Loved the way it was so broken down, even a newbee could understand.
Whopper ploppers are my go to in spring n summer love them
LMBO, I was on this bite last night over here in east (Southern Mass). Last light, soft plastic frog, over grass patches, in the warmest pocket on the lake = 4 bass in 5 minutes!
im in ri you got me wanting to throw topwater tonight hahha
@@sicfishing401 The sun was out yesterday afternoon, unlike tonight. Top-water wouldn't have been the way to go... maybe finesse jigging in pockets, or spinner baits in open water.
Off the subject... thank you guys for your spring jerk bait videos! I had a epic smallmouth bite yesterday and I used some of you guys advice on springtime jerkbaiting! It was on! Thank you guys for all the help for weekend anglers like myself! Keep them videos coming!
You can walk a Bass Pro XPS popper too if you don’t wanna drop too much cash on them. They’re like $2 I think🤷♂️
@strange ghost Walmart gear is phenomenal especially the 1$ spinnerbaits and there 2$ frogs
I lost my favorite 110 plopper today. RIP. Best channel btw. Thanks.
Literally the best channel for fishing tips!! Thank you guys!!
TW here I come... again.. each video costs me $50... best channel on youtube !
Awesome and you get a free tw sticker!
I spent $100. Tactical Bassin are best salesman in the fishing industry.
My favorite frog of all times is the River 2 sea Little Allen frog. For me it out performs every other frog on the market
18:05 tactical bassin thank you this helped me overcome my depressions
Broke my PB on a rat this past week. Love top water! Thanks guys!
Had a college club tournament in January on a power plant lake in Illinois. Water was 50 degrees and we had 3 boats from our club sitting on a school off a point and one guy caught 4 decent ones on a strike king sexy dawg while we were throwing a-rigs and jerkbaits.
If you throw a buzz bait enough, you can learn to have the bait coming back to the boat before it hits the water and does not sink.Been fishing it for 40 years and it still catches big fish.
Hitting that time of year here and I need to start throwing top water more. Goal this year was to work Jigs and top water but I haven't had a single top water bite on frogs or ploppers. Killing it on the Jig front though.
Good information. Enjoyed the video. A frog and a jig are my two favorite lures to throw and they get some big bites!
Caught three largemouth on whopper plopped 75 in powder cooler this past Saturday afternoon In love now
Congrats on 200K subs! You guys r awesome and thanks for all u guys do. Tactical Bassn 4Life!
Great tutorial matt , very educational ..
I love my sebile pivot frog its walks so nice
Been waiting on this episode! Thank you, Matt & Tim!
Thx for the tips
I have had zero luck getting Bass to bit in cold water. Going to try some top water this weekend
I live in Indiana and had a couple hits on a popper already
xSimplixity - where I live in New Palestine
Had a bass bite my poppin frog on Lake shasta last week! First bass I've had bite on it missed the Hookset but damn the blowup was cool. Can't wait for more top water action!
I love your videos. You and Tim do a great job at teaching and has made me that much more better at bass fishing. Thanks and keep on doing what you do!
Just bought some frogs and this video pops up, thank you for the knowledge :)
Great vid as always. I live in the Deep South. Our lakes are dammed sections of river. We have shad in them. My favorite top water bait that I get most my top water bites on is a chrome rover 98. Y’all turned me on to the rover and I just tweaked it a little to get to this specific bait. Great bait. Don’t tell anyone...
200k subscribers! Congratulations. You guys deserve many more.
Great informative video, the underwater footage is a welcome addition, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I’m not a googan fan boy. But I am very observant. The googan squad blooper is a popper that walks REALLY well.
Great video Matt! Learned a lot. I never thought of top water this early but will give it a try. I'm breaking out the Whopper Ploppers! Thanks!!
You got the best underwater footage on you tube. Just saying!!🔥
Love the top water Whopper plopper but even more I like using a Spro mid sized rat!
Frogs are my absoulte favorite
Love this guy's passion for fishing. Awesome vid, new subscriber here.
Nice video, thanks for the close-up shots on lures and detailed explanation of all. I have had little luck with several local lakes here in OKC area last couple of years and hope this spring is better with helpful tips as yours.
Mike
Mustang, Oklahoma
great video! Just caught my first top water fish and decided to look for a video by you guys, great info as always!
Wow. so much useful information. put a liter on your braided in so it doesn’t catch the lure. and invisible. smart. Thanks man. !!
Im in nashville percy priest lake to be exact its not ready just yet but its probably a week out then itll turn on
top water is turning on here in KY. Had my first frog swipe of the year last week.
Great video! Thanks for all the information, definitely the only channel I have found addressing fishing in the west. This ain’t Florida or Arkansas and your insight on conditions in California is the best.
Matt, while trying to get a Jerkbait bite going this weekend without much luck....I remembered the I had a “silent” vision 110 that you recommended..... stroked em....... must have caught about 30 fish...... Crazy....lol
What do you do about a lake that is about 30 feet high and dropping 6 inches of water a day? Move lakes?
heading out to catch a snapper dinner today but I’ll be kayak fishing in the Everglades on Wednesday it’s a good time to be a Florida boy, down here the popper has been on fire all winter
I live in southern Indiana mainly fishing farm ponds and the livetarget field mouse flat out puts fish on the bank it walks, pops and floats good even after multiple hits and the fish can't resist it caught 8lb bag today 3 fish biggest one being 3+
Congrats on 200K Boys 👍🏆👍 you have both worked hard and earned your success, looking forward to 250K keep cranking😂