How To Use The Moonwalker To Catch Inshore Slams
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Tackle & Gear, Artifical Lure Tips
This page will show you how to catch the most fish possible while using your Moonwalker topwater plugs.
The videos below will walk you through the essential details to make sure that you know the specifics for the following:
- When To Use Topwater
- How To Retrieve Topwater Plugs
- How To Efficiently Cover Water
- Best Equipment For Topwater Plugs
- Hookset Tips For Topwater Plugs
Just click on the respective videos below to see the details:
How To Use The Moonwalker Topwater Plug 101
This video covers everything you need to know to get more strikes on topwater, including when and where to use them, how to work the lure, and the best setup for maximum action. You’ll also learn when to use silent vs. rattling topwaters and when it’s time to switch to a subsurface lure.
Recommended Gear:
- Lure: Moonwalker
- Lure 2: Moonwalker SBD
- Rod & Reel 1:Most Popular Inshore Rod, Reel, & Line Combo
- Rod & Reel 2:Premium Performance Rod, Reel, & Line Combo
Seasonal Tactics
Here’s a fun video showing a lesson on how to use these lures during the early Spring:
And here’s one for the Fall (very similar tactics from Spring, Summer, & Fall):
Featured Gear:
- Lure: Moonwalker
How To Efficiently Cover Water
See how to efficiently cover water when using topwater plugs in this lesson… the ultimate lure for power fishing at night and during twilight periods.
Featured Gear:
- Lure: Moonwalker
How To Set The Hook
One of the most common problems with hookup rates when using topwater plugs is when the angler immediately sets the hook as he or she sees or hears a fish strike the lure.
This is a big mistake because many fish will miss on the first strike, and setting the hook will pull the lure out of the strike zone… It’s best to not set the hook until you feel the weight of the fish on the line, as shown in this video:
Featured Gear:
- Lure: Moonwalker
Topwater Fishing FAQs
When is the best time to use a topwater lure?
Low-light periods are a great starting point, especially around sunrise. But baitfish activity and aggressive feeding are better indicators than the clock alone.
How long should I throw topwater before switching lures?
If you’re fishing a productive area with structure and bait but haven’t had any topwater action after 20 to 30 minutes, try switching to a subsurface lure.
Don’t force a topwater bite when the fish aren’t aggressive.
What leader should I use for topwater fishing?
For redfish and seatrout, 15 to 20 lb mono works well. In snook territory, add a short section of at least 30 lb mono bite tippet near the lure for extra abrasion resistance.
Should I use a silent or rattling topwater?
Match the noise to the conditions. Try rattles when there’s lots of surface noise, wind, chop, or bait activity. In calm, quiet conditions, a silent topwater can be the better choice.
Final Thoughts
Topwater plugs can catch a ton of fish when the conditions are right, and it’s hard to beat the excitement of watching a big redfish, snook, or seatrout explode on your lure.
The key is knowing when to use them and when to switch.
Find areas with structure and bait, get the Moonwalker into the strike zone, vary your retrieve until the fish tell you what they want, and don’t force the topwater bite once the action slows down.
If you need help finding the best feeding zones, check out the Smart Fishing Spots platform. It helps you quickly identify high-percentage areas whether you’re fishing from a boat, kayak, or shore.
And Insider Club members can get the Moonwalker and other tackle at FishStrong.com with 20% savings year-round.
Have any questions about fishing the Moonwalker?
Let us know in the comments!
Tight Lines!
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Your right besides night fishing very early mornings with a topwater plug when fished correctly is one of my favorite ways of catching inshore fish but one needs to learn the tips and techniques your teaching in your videos because alot of newbies think fishing is easy and the videos they watch prove that not realizing what work and knowledge it takes to make those great topwater explosions they so love to see and get excited about because if it was that easy pretty much EVERYONE would be doing it thanks for the great insight and all you do😉👍
Great demonstrations and videos
What size hooks are on the moonwalker?
Can you use the Moonwalker for surf fishing?
Yes, but subsurface lures like swimbaits or spoons are most often better.
The green back was previously stated in a product description to be best suited for choppy and churned water, why is the greenback the best choice for these conditions? The bottom is silver right, so does this mean the fish can actually only see the silver part ? I would like help in deciding which colors to get and the reasons for that please, thanks!
For topwater lures, color is most often not much of a factor because the fish mostly just see a silhouette of the lure. I’ve used all of the colors, and they all seem to work equally well. So I recommend going with whichever one you have the most confidence in.
When using this lure how fast is your retrieve or as I should say when cranking the reel how fast do I crank the reel
Just took out the Moonwalker for a test drive. first time using it. Ended up with 3 Speckled keepers, 3 toss backs, a Ladyfish, and 2 Reds. The misses on this lure were uncountable but even those were fun. Those fish hit this lure hard and fast. The Ladyfish hit it 3 times before it hooked up, and I saw a Speckled come back for a 2nd hit after watching him hit and miss within 6 feet of the yak!!
The wife MADE me order 3 more!!
Thanks guys!!
Great lure!!
What depths can you work these in?
I’ve caught fish with them in water from 1 ft to 50 ft… the key is to be in an area with predator fish that are feeding near the surface.
For redfish, seatrout, and snook, I typically use this lure for the shallows ranging from 1ft to 5ft of water.
Hey Luke,
what size in-line hook do you recommend for top water lures Luke the moonwalker?
It seems like 1/0 is generally the best fit assuming you’ll be using a hook from Mustad or Owner (other brands may have different sizing).
What do you feel is the best knot for this lure
The non slip loop knot is my favorite.
Thanks Luke! I just got this lure and was wondering what knot was best.