Topwater Rigging Mistakes To AVOID If You Don’t Want To Get Skunked
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” – Ben Franklin, when asked about topwater fishing.
Ok, maybe Ben Franklin wasn’t talking about topwater fishing here, but this is such a true statement when it comes to throwing topwaters!
In this video, you’ll learn six topwater rigging mistakes that could cost you fish.
Some will stop you from getting strikes in the first place, while others will cause you to miss strikes.
Either way, if you want to catch more fish with topwater lures, then avoid these common mistakes!
See what they are below.
Topwater Lure Rigging Mistakes [VIDEO]
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Mistake #1: Leaving the split ring on
I’ve had situations where the line has slipped through and out of the split ring.
I’ve also had situations where the split ring has rubbed against the line and broken it.
The purpose of the split ring is to give your lure more action when you’re retrieving it, but the better alternative is to just use a loop knot when tying your leader to your topwater.
Mistake #2: Making the loop knot too big
If the loop knot is too big, you may find yourself foul hooking the loop with the front hook.
To avoid this, I try to keep my loop about 1/4″ or smaller.
Mistake #3: Not using single inline hooks properly
We’ve talked a lot about the benefits of replacing your treble hooks with inline hooks, but not putting them on correctly is a common mistake.
The back hook should be facing toward the rear, while the front hook should be facing forward.
Mistake #4: Using the wrong size single inline hooks
If the hooks are too big, they’re going to weigh the lure down, which will affect the action of the lure.
If they’re too small, you’re going to miss strikes.
To make sure you’re using the right size hooks, choose inline hooks where the gap between the point and the shank is about the same size as the distance between two points of the original treble hook.
Mistake #5: Not using a leader
This is a big no-no because:
- Braid has no stretch, so you’ve got an increased chance of pulling the hook out of the fish’s mouth. The leader acts as a shock absorber here.
- Braid has little abrasion resistance, so if you hook a fish near structure, or you hook into a snook, you’re more likely to get broken off.
Mistake #6: Using the stock hooks the lure comes with
Even if you don’t want to switch your treble hooks for single hooks, the treble hooks most topwaters come with aren’t very strong.
Switching out your hooks (and even your split rings) for stronger ones can decrease the odds a big fish bends the hook or opens up a split ring.
Conclusion
If you want to land more fish using topwaters, be sure to avoid these mistakes!
And you can get the lures mentioned in this video from our shop here:
Have any other tips for landing more fish on topwater lures?
Let me know down in the comments below.
And if you know someone who needs to step up their topwater game, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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☆ Thanks Tony
You’re welcome Chad!
Some thoughts on your presentation. The amount of stretch in 2-feet of mono or fluorocarbon leader is negligible. So, you have virtually no give when using a braided main line. If you are pulling hooks on your fish, one of two things is causing it… either your drag is set too tight or you are using the wrong rod for the fish you are targeting. The larger trout get, the more there is a tendency to pull hooks. The tissue in their mouths is soft on small trout all the way to gator trout, so the heavier the fish, the more apt there is to pull the hook. If you’re fishing for big trout, a soft rod is a must. The closer you get a fish to the boat, the more chance you have of losing fish. The amount of give in the line is reduced when using all mono, and unless you are using a soft rod, hooks will pull and lines can break. Braided lines have significantly more abrasion resistance than either mono or fluorocarbon leaders for equal diameter or breaking strength. Also, braided line has no memory and a greater chance of foul-hooking with the front hook when tied direct to the line tie on lures that are twitched, such as any of the three lures you show. Fluorocarbon leaders, being stiff, have a tendency to stand off the line tie eye when tied directly to the eye as opposed to a loop knot. So, when a lure is twitched the leader does not foul hook the front hook unless you are over-working the lure and twitching the bait too hard. For some lures, removing a split ring that came on the lure can cause an imbalance in the weight, changing the action of the lure. The size of the loop on a loop knot doesn’t cause the lure to foul hook the front hook. Working the lure too hard does. I use a loop knot with most lures, but not with prop baits.
Good advice Tony. I really like the fact that you have replace the TROUBLE HOOKS on 1 lure . I have found that Trouble hooks are not just trouble for you but surely for the fish.
Thank you for the great feedback Capt! Yes I often change them to inline hooks.
I have a problem with line twists. I add a swivel to split the ring and tie my line to the swivel.
This also makes it easier to change out lures.
Very interesting. I’ve never experienced any line twists with topwater since they don’t spin. What can help with line twist is to let your line out behind the boat as you’re idling (with nothing attached to it, just free-lined) and let all of the line out and then reel it back in. This can get any twist out of the line.
Nice video Tony
Thanks Pablo!
Please somebody anybody tell me the EZ way to change out treble hooks to single hooks ? When I try I keep a 1st aid kit real close by… I have a habit of harpooning myself !
IN HIS GRIP
Joe & Evelyn
the pastor dude
other than using decent split ring pliers and the right size split rings…I suppose you could snip off the points of the old trebles before you try to remove them…would reduce the number of harpoons in the game
As David mentioned, sometimes I will just snip the old treble hooks off with wire snips. I have stuck myself many times! Just have to take your time and use the right split ring pliers. It is much harder if you try to use regular pliers.
A good pair of split ring pliers really helps.
Good info, Tony. Thanks!
My pleasure Raymond!
Nice video Tony, I have been switching out some of my treble hooks for inline hooks (when I have the patience) and realized a few front hooks are backward. Great tips. Keep them coming!!!!!
Thank you for the great feedback Gary!
Thanks Tony…..I love your presentations ……………Your explanations are clear and simply stated…..
Have you replaced treble hooks with single hook on sub water lures.?
If so what was the end result?
Thank you for the great feedback Bill! I don’t use any subsurface plugs or hard twitch baits enough to really say. When I go subsurface I am typically using soft plastics.
You can put a small welded eye ring on the existing split ring