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Posts: 425
Location: Elkhart, IN | I noticed in the first lure of the year thread that a few mentioned they'd be using topwater lure. Are topwaters good right after ice off or do you need to wait until the water warms a little? Does the effectiveness of types of topwater lures change throughout the year? Such as would a Giant Jackpot be better than a Topraider at one point of the year and then another time of the year a Topraider would be better than a Giant Jackpot?
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Posts: 600
Location: West Bend, WI | If I feel that the fish are very shallow trying to warm up.Even if the water is in the 40's I would throw a topwater myself.I would probaly throw something more subtle though like a topper or flaptail. |
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Posts: 93
Location: Waukesha, WI. | I will use one theat I make. The Efrog from Ev's Musky Baits. I will fish it real slow, but with a small pull or pop of the rod. Muskys can't stop themselves!!! REEL them in
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| I like the smaller TopWalker I have opposed to the larger Super Topraiders, Topraiders, Jackpots, and Pacemakers I throw most of the season.
Steve |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | Tradition says not to throw topwater until the water temperature reaches 60 degrees.
Following "tradition" just may be a good way to miss a great opportunity at those shallow spring muskies!
Supposedly the water is too cold or whatever the excuse is not to throw topwater before that magical 60 degrees. If you think about, what would be easier presentation for a muskie to react to than a subtle slow moving topwater bait? A Hog Wobbler, Creeper, or Splashtail if the water has some chop to it, should be a great option.
The only rules to muskie fishing are 1) There are no rules, and 2) The best time to go is when you can!
Don't miss out on fish because of "tradition"!
Edited by Steve Van Lieshout 3/15/2004 7:33 AM
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | My choices for topwaters are usually based upon the water conditions. I try to match the aggressiveness of the bait's action as the wave action increases.
As I had originated the rules that I noted on the previous post, the following are my general guidelines that I use to select which topwater bait to throw.
Calm Water and/or drizzle to moderate rain: Hog Wobbler; Creeper; Splashtail Baits; stop & go twitch crankbaits.
Mild Wave Action (under 12" waves and lite to moderate rain): Thundertails; Pacemakers; Splashtail baits; Talley Wackers; Top Raiders; Giant Jackpots; Topper Stoppers; Thunderheads.
Strong Wave Action (above 12" waves and moderate to heavy rain): Thunderheads; Globe style baits;
Edited by Steve Van Lieshout 3/15/2004 2:50 PM
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| Also forgot to mention the Cisco Kid Topper as a great early season lure that has produced many fish for me over the last decade!
Steve |
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Posts: 354
| My best early season topwater bait has been the husky size hawg wobbler.
It has raised the most fish for me during the spring as well as my
coldest water temp. fish. |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Tradition schmadition! I throw topwater from opener till it bounces off the ice! |
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| I usually don't throw topwater right away. When the water does start to warm I start out with small topwater baits like bass buzz baits. When the water gets warm enough, then I throw loud baits when it's windy and quiet baits when it's calm.
Ty |
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Posts: 425
Location: Elkhart, IN | Good input guys, thanks for the responses. A bass size lure that excelled for me last year was the Bass Pro Shops Topknocker, that thing is loud and did quite well. When I'm throwing smaller topwaters this year it may get replaced though, I found one a couple weeks ago at Bass Pro shops called a C'ultiva Tango Dancer that's just a little bigger than a Zara Spook and one of the most awesome lures I've ever seen. |
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