How Fast To Retrieve Topwater Lures (To Catch More Fish)
- By: Luke Simonds
- on July 6, 2020
If you’re not catching fish on topwater, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in a bad spot, or that you’re using a lure that doesn’t work.
It could just mean that you’re retrieving your lure at the wrong speed.
Sometimes the fish are looking for a bait that’s darting across the surface quickly, while other times they’re looking for a slow-moving, injured baitfish that would make an easy meal.
So the big question is this: how do you know how fast to retrieve your topwater?
I’ll show you process I go through to determine that in this video, as well as:
- The small tweak I’ve made to my lures that helps me catch more bigger fish (and fewer smaller fish)
- When the best times to use topwater lures are
- And much more
Check out the video below.
How Fast To Retrieve Topwater Lures [VIDEO]
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The first thing I do when I’m throwing topwater lures is to retrieve the lure quickly.
I start with a fast retrieve because I prefer it over a slow one because it helps me cover a lot of ground and find the feeding zones faster.
If I don’t get many strikes with a quick retrieve, I’ll slow it down.
As I slow it down, I’ll also add some pauses in.
I don’t particularly like a very slow retrieve because it doesn’t allow me to cover a lot of ground, but sometimes that’s all the fish will hit!
Conclusion
If you’re throwing topwater lures and you’re not getting any bites, change up the speed of your retrieve and add in a few pauses if you need to.
Do you have any other tips for catching more fish on topwater lures?
Have any questions about this video?
Let me know in the comments below!
And if you know someone who loves throwing topwater, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
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- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
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Luke, is that an 08 size or 11 size Skitter Walk?
The one in the video is the 08 size… I prefer that for redfish territory because they can eat it more easily.
Have you tried Bagley’s Bang a lure with the spinner on the back for trout. Living in Winter Haven I’m sure you’ve heard of it. One of the best top water lures ever made.
I have not tried that particular lure out. I am a big fan of Bagley given their location as well as the fact that they make some great lures.
Could you please share the make and model of your boat?
It’s a 17 ft Maverick HPX-V
Awesome video, great tips! @4:53 is that another red jumping behind you?
Thanks Mike! That was most likely a mullet.
Hello, what kind and size of hooks do you replace the treble hooks with on your top water lure?
It depends on which lure it is. There’s a size chart on the bottom of this page: https://shop.saltstrong.com/products/single-hooks
Hi Luke,
Have you ever tried replacing the front hook with a double instead and still put a single on the rear?
I am 100% happy with the single hooks, so I don’t feel that there is a need to add any more hook points because they’ll just increase the odds of snagging onto weeds.
Hey Luke! Great video, as always. That same lure, Ghost I think, is my go to topwater. Have had great luck with it. Caught a 32” Red on one & got the fish to the boat, released & on the next cast I noticed the lure not working too well. Darn Red got even. Crushed it so all it would do is sink! Ha
Tight Lines
Bob Hartwein
Thank Bob!
Wow, that must have been a powerful redfish. It sure is thrilling when the big reds hit a topwater plug.
Now getting into beach fishing and some inshore fishing. When retrieving is there any technique in the wrist etc or just the spinning rate?
Both are important to use… sometimes a simple pause in retrieving is enough to generate strikes. And sometimes the fish like sharp wrist snap twitches.
Thanks Luke.
I noticed you tie the leader line directly to the lure with a loop type knot. what knot is it?
The best loop knot I’ve found so far is called the non-slip loop knot… here’s a link showing how to tie it: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/non-slip-loop-knot/
Thanks Luke, Top water is a blast !!! I’ve had so much fun lately first thing in the morning watching snook BLOW UP on my spook Jr. ????????
It’s tough to beat an early morning topwater strike from a snook!!!