Tips for Topwater Bass

• Topwater anglers always set the hook too soon and then cuss when the lure comes flying back at them. Count to two after you see the boil. I tend to reel in the slack and drop the rod tip when I see the fish strike the lure, which takes about two seconds. Hesitate and every time you set the hook there will be a bass on.

• After casting a topwater always wait a few seconds until the ripples are gone. Then twitch the lure a few times before starting the erratic retrieve.

• Always be prepared to set the hook immediately after that lure hits the water. It’s amazing how many anglers are so surprised that a topwater lure gets struck as soon as it touches down that they almost always miss the fish.

• If bass are just bumping the lure and not opening their mouths to inhale the bait, tie a three inch piece of red yarn around one of the hooks. This can trigger a fish to grab the bait instead of just nudging it.

• Some anglers like to burn a topwater buzzbait over slop and around lily pads and if a bass takes a whack at it, and misses, they grab another rod rigged with a topwater floater and they pitch the lure right out to that spot and let it sit until that hungry bass hits it.