Topwater Made Easy: 3 Lures Every Beginner Needs
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
Catching a fish on topwater is hands-down one of the most exciting ways to do it. Watching a fish chase your lure and then BOOM—an explosive strike right on the surface—there’s nothing like it.
But let’s be honest, not every topwater lure is easy to use, and if you’re just starting out, it can be a little tricky to get the hang of it. That’s why I made this video, I’m breaking down the three easiest topwater lures out there—so you can skip the frustration and start getting those blow-ups fast.
👉 Grab the new Fat Lipper here
👉 Grab the Moonwalker here
What you are going to learn in this video- The three best topwater lures for beginners
- Topwater popper: Great for calm conditions and the fish are feeding on top
- Prop Bait: Best to use whenever there is a lot of bait around
- Wake Bait: Whenever the wind is blowing and there is a chop on the water
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What is your favorite topwater lure to use?
Let us know in the comments!
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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).
Very informative video, Thanks
Thanks for watching David!
Great video! I enjoyed it! I agree, seeing that big trout hit a topwater lure is the most exciting and most fun way to fish!
Topwater is fun for sure!
Also, I like that you showed the modification to the Baby Torpedo. You have to clip those nasty little treble hooks off and add a split ring, but these lures really shine with in-lines. I love them.
I’m not a fan of treble hooks at all. Any chance I get to go inline, I will.
Thanks for watching!
What size inline hooks are you using on the Chug and the prop lures?
I use Mustad Kaiju hooks, on the small chug bug and Rapala Skitter Prop a size 1, on the Heddon torpedo a 2. If you’re using a different brand hook you’ll want to go up one size.
I’ve heard those are good hooks. Thanks for the info.
Heddon Super Spook Jr. was my first top water catch for both Largemouth Bass, Redfish, and Trout. Great all around lure.
That’s is a really successful lure, caught fish just about everywhere!
I have used the Zara Spook for Stripers for years with Great success. I now use the Salt strong version.
That one has been catching fish for a very long time! Still works to this day.
Thank You Pat for the great advice. The first topwater lure(saltwater) I caught fish with was a Rebel Jumpin Minnow and am still using it effectively. Only now in order to get the color I want Rebel wants me to buy 400 lol.
A lifetime supply! That’s one I haven’t tried, I need to tie one on and give it a shot. Thanks for the heads up!
Great informative video, thanks Pat. The FAT LIPPER seems to be alot like Cordel Redfin (7inch) that I used to use for striped bass on lakes and the surf on the east coast. I used it the same way – reeling it in slow making a constant wake behind it.
Yes sir! That’s pretty much the original wake bait, it has caught a lot of fish fresh and salt.
great intel Pat – Thanks for sharing!
My first top water fish came on a popper back in the early 70’s. I’m not using those type baits anymore but you’ve got me thinking – so i might have to try it again!
Definitely give them a shot! They work on inshore fish!
What is the name of that topwater popper and who makes it?
That is a Storm Rattlin Chug Bug. They came in two sizes, the smaller one that I show here, the size 8, and a larger one, size 11. They work great in both fresh and saltwater. Thanks for the question!
Another good video,thanks! My first was at 12, a bass on a yellow Hula Popper, 50 years later I still live for those blowups. Boated a 33 inch snook yesterday on a Skitterwalk in Crystal River. Its like crack. Used all different types and brands over the years but if I had to pick one for inshore saltwater its Skitterwalk for large and small mouth bass the Whopper Plopper.
Robert I still have a Hula Popper in my freshwater tackle box! I remember those bass blow ups. Never fished the Crystal River but I visited it a couple of times and swam with the manatees. Sure is a beautiful area. Tight lines to you and have a cold one at Crackers for me.
Brad, I bet that Hula Popper still works great for inshore, I would give it a shot.
The Skitterwalk and the Spook Jr’s are staples in the topwater water world. They catch fish everywhere!