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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | I did a search and didn't quite find anything this specific. I know the figure-8 has been discussed extensively in the past here on the forum... but I couldn't find anything specifically in regards to the figure-8 when it comes to topwater lures. I'm wondering what everyone else seems to do as you're bringing a topwater lure closer to the boat and begin going into your "8" or "L" or "OVAL" or whatever it is you choose to do to finish out your cast... specifically for prop-style baits, buzz baits, sputter-style, etc, etc. Do you continue to keep your bait on the surface of the water or do you bring the bait below the surface...? The second part to my question is in regards to creeper-style topwater baits. Do you figure-8 this type of bait...? If so, again do you continue to keep it above the surface of the water? Or do you bring the bait below water level? Thanks in advance... |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | You know, it varies a lot with me. With tail baits, I usually do a big oval on the surface, but I do submerge, too. In a situation where I have a fish swiping and missing on the retrieve, I'll usually stay on top, but I find myself submerging with late or lazy follows. . .
With a WTD lure, like a Weagle or Jackpot, what have you, I'll keep her on the surface. . . Never could make it look like much under the surface, although I did have an explosive strike on a Weagle that I submerged and twitched in a giant oval last year. . .
Edited by Sam Ubl 4/5/2010 1:00 PM
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | thanks for the insight, Sam!! |
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Posts: 618
Location: Michigan | Musky's eyes are basically on top of its head so make sure not to submerge the bait too far as doing so might take the bait out of the fish's sight and you might miss some fish. |
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Posts: 59
Location: Aurora IL | I go under with Topraiders and Pacemakers.I got a nice fish going around several times underwater a foot or so deep,so I think anything goes.My thinking is stay up if the fish is on it,go under if you see nothing.Might get a low and slow to change their mind. |
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Posts: 774
Location: South East Wisconsin | Prop baits keep them on top 8, or oval. When approaching the boat, L turns to the right and force the lure outward towards the lake. Continue to your 8, or oval. Don’t be afraid to walk around the boat if you can.
Creepers L turn and speed up on the L. WTD baits when a fish is spotted speed the lure up. If the fish continues to follow at boat side have your partner slightly continue forward on the trolling motor so you have room to keep the bait moving.
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | thanks for the replies, you guys.
Lots of great information! |
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Posts: 2308
Location: SE, WI. | Definately go under water with props or tail baits or jointed hog wobbler, even wtd baits. You don't want to stare eye to eye W/ fish. Fish will spoke. Unless it is dark, then keep it on the surface. IMO Walking around the boat with a creeper is advised. Very difficult to figure 8 a creeper under water. But can work and will.:o |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | I always go under water with tail spinners or head spinners. Usually about 5 to 10 feet from the boat. The lure now becomes a bucktail. I've caught lots of fish doing this. Not sure what to do with a creeper as I rarely use them. Doug Johnson |
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Posts: 1030
Location: APPLETON, WI | dougj - 4/5/2010 7:03 PM I always go under water with tail spinners or head spinners. Usually about 5 to 10 feet from the boat. The lure now becomes a bucktail. I've caught lots of fish doing this. Interesting. Never really thought of it that way but it's really good insight. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | With prop style lures, I like to go under water also, as it leaves quite the Bubble Trail, which adds yet another trigger to the equaison......
With the Weagle, I also go subsurface......not only in the 8 but sometimes 15-20 ft out from the boat. This also adds a more errattic movement that just might put a following fish into the attack mode.
I Love Fishing Topwater .
Jerome |
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Posts: 2089
| I take 'em all under. Another game of keep away! |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i remember seeing a great video of Greg Thomas with boatside topwater action ... i think it was a badfishoutdoors.net video ... maybe jason can chime in and help out.
it's a must-see ... |
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Posts: 124
| Like most techniques, it's a matter of opinion because everything will work at one time or another.
On tailbaits, I prefer to keep it on the surface most of the time. I really try to read the mood of the fish and decide if I think the fish is gonna take on the L turn. If the fish is deeper and not really hot, I will submerge it. Except in real low light. I feel a fish may loose touch with the bait when it's close to dark, so I keep it on top then.
Crawling style baits like my Top H2O, I have a little known trick that has worked for me. If you have a fish tailing in on the bait and appears that it will NOT bite, stop the bait and walk the dog with it. It won't slide side to side, but it will change from 180 to 180 degrees.
Creepers, well like what was said before... speeding up seems to be the best option. Not very good underwater.
On WTD baits, I usually try to "feed" the bait to the fish first (keep the bait walking in place). If that doesn't work, continue on at normal speed. Then go back to feeding the bait at boatside. I have caught 50" class fish with a foot of line out with the fish at boatside for more than fifteen seconds by just keeping it moving. I have also caught a few by stopping the bait dead for more than ten seconds and the fish just swims up to the bait and eats it.
Here is a video example of how I trigger a fish with WTD baits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZQXJEJjB1U
I hope this helps!
Lee Tauchen
http://LeeLures.com
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Posts: 143
Location: Lake of The Woods | Good video and great info |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I'd agree with Lee as I tend to pretty much always keep tail baits on the surface and have tons of fish hit them that way..so I have complete confidence in it....you can play keep away w/ the bait on the surface just as easily as below... fun to watch em get jazzed up boatside and crush it off the surface...both ways work just do what you like... maybe I just like seeing them hit it on the surface...
Edited by BNelson 4/6/2010 11:11 AM
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