Favorite Top Water Lures

[FishingNoob]

I like to start fast at the beginning, get those hot fish active and slow things down afterwards. Some guys will attach a 5 foot length of line on the back of their topwater and hang a tube jig from it... lethal mix.

Is that legal?

 

[Blair]

Is that legal?

ABSOLUTELY!

Hook – A hook includes a single-pointed or multiple-pointed hook on a common shaft but does not include a snagger or spring gaff. The number of hooks includes any single-pointed or multiple-pointed hooks that are part of a lure.

Hooksand Lines – An angler may use only one line, unless other wise stated in the regulations. Two lines may be used when angling from a boat in parts of the Great Lakes (see exceptions to the general regulations) and forice fishing in many areas (see Ice Fishing, page 11). A fishing line must not have more than four hooks attached.





NOOB: always ddble check the regs for each body of Water.

In "General":

a line is considered (1) line from (1) Pole. In the Great Lakes you may "Troll" with 2 or the same goes for ICE FISHING (DDBL CHECK REGS!)



Now, in this situation: You can have as much as (4) Hooks on your single line. This INCLUDES TREBLES.

*You CAN NOT SNAG ... but the difference is that having a "Tailing" lure or STINGER HOOK is acceptable.

In "Theory" you can have up to (4) Lures on a single line. There are some of these "UMBRELLA RIGS" that kinda do that in a way.



In my own personal fishing experiences, I have used: Stinger Hooks and have also baited ONE SINGLE HOOK with say "Roe" and then down the line had an additional SINGLE HOOK with a worm.




EACH JURISTICTION has DIFFERENT REGS!

Here is an example of the "Alabama / Umbrella" and the regs from Minnesota (First one I saw online)


Alabama (Umbrella/Yumbrella) Rig

The tackle configuration known as the Alabama (Umbrella/Yumbrella) rig as it is commonly promoted is not legal in Minnesota waters. The rig pictured here is different than using a single lure with multiple treble hooks that is designed to catch just one fish.

Instead, the Alabama/Umbrella/Yumbrella rigs are artificial lure/baits that involve many separate lures/baits attached via wires to a fishing line. Consequently, these rigs are not a single artificial bait/lure, rather a collection of multiple artificial lures/baits each capable of catching a fish.

In the water, the rigs simulate a small school of bait fish and YouTube videos show anglers catching two and even three largemouth bass on an Alabama/Umbrella/Yumbrella rig at the same time.

Minnesota law restricts anglers fishing in inland waters and the Canadian border waters to one artificial lure/bait on a single line. While each artificial lure/bait may have more than one hook (a crankbait, for example), only one lure or tackle configuration is allowed on a single line.

However, a Alabama (Umbrella/Yumbrella) would be legal if not more than one hook or artificial lure/bait is attached. An angler could place a single bait/lure with a hook on one of the wires and attach hookless spinners or plastic baits to the other wires.

On border waters where two lines are allowed, anglers would not be allowed to fish with any other lines at the same time if two hooks, baits or lures are attached to these rigs.

Note: Two lines and two lures/baits are allowed on our border waters with Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas. See page 9 of the 2012 Fishing Regulations (6 MB | 88 pg) for a description of legal tackle and configurations.



Here is a DROP SHOT DOUBLE:

Paternoster Rid / Dropper Rig

This is a perfect rig for when you want to keep your bait away from your sinker and when you want to use more than one hook to either test out what the fish are feeding on or just to increase your chances of getting a hook up. These rigs are most commonly used for bottom fishing and surf casting.
When tying these rigs you can either tie dropper loops into the line and connect your hooks directly to the loops or use swivels such as a 3 way swivel and tie your hooks to the swivel. A good point to bear in mind when using these rigs is to keep your sinker attached to the rig by using a lighter line, this way if you get snagged you only lose the sinker and not the whole rig!



These rigs are great for catching fish such as salmon, tailor and mulloway from the beach as you can make the rig extra strong and heavy to contend with the rough ocean conditions you most often encounter when targeting these species. They're also great for using when bottom bouncing as you can have quite a long rig which is streamlined, great for fishing deep water as your hooks can sit quite away above the sinker which is better as the fish do not feel any weight.
<p align="center">

[font="Verdana][size="1"]Paternoster Rid / Dropper Rig[/size][/font]​

​

​

ETC... ETC...​

 

[blurred1]

Anyone tried the "Torpedo"?? I was in the store the other day and saw one and almost got it but i withheld the urge and bought 4 new crank baits instead.

Results?

I also used to use a ton of buzz baits but i just dont find them as effective as the poppers anymore.

 

[Blair]

I love em! (Pike and Bass)
Our administrator OPENFIRE has it as his Avatar.



Heddon Baby Torpedo

The Heddon Baby Torpedo is a proven topwater bait that smallmouth and largemouth bass can't resist. Its single prop spins and spits water. The Baby Torpedo can be worked slowly with twitches and pauses, or...ExpandThe Heddon Baby Torpedo is a proven topwater bait that smallmouth and largemouth bass can’t resist. Its single prop spins and spits water. The Baby Torpedo can be worked slowly with twitches and pauses, or reeled constantly at a medium retrieve like a buzzbait. In rivers, work the bait in shallow shoreline water, in eddies, near submerged rocks and in fast-moving riffles for giant smallmouth. In ponds and lakes, pause the Torpedo near wood and weed cover, gently twitching it to entice big largemouth.

 

[bullshark]

Any walk the dog lures...zara spook and rapala x-rap walk

 

[FishingNoob]

ABSOLUTELY!

Hook – A hook includes a single-pointed or multiple-pointed hook on a common shaft but does not include a snagger or spring gaff. The number of hooks includes any single-pointed or multiple-pointed hooks that are part of a lure.

Hooksand Lines – An angler may use only one line, unless other wise stated in the regulations. Two lines may be used when angling from a boat in parts of the Great Lakes (see exceptions to the general regulations) and forice fishing in many areas (see Ice Fishing, page 11). A fishing line must not have more than four hooks attached.





NOOB: always ddble check the regs for each body of Water.

In "General":

a line is considered (1) line from (1) Pole. In the Great Lakes you may "Troll" with 2 or the same goes for ICE FISHING (DDBL CHECK REGS!)



Now, in this situation: You can have as much as (4) Hooks on your single line. This INCLUDES TREBLES.

*You CAN NOT SNAG ... but the difference is that having a "Tailing" lure or STINGER HOOK is acceptable.

In "Theory" you can have up to (4) Lures on a single line. There are some of these "UMBRELLA RIGS" that kinda do that in a way.



In my own personal fishing experiences, I have used: Stinger Hooks and have also baited ONE SINGLE HOOK with say "Roe" and then down the line had an additional SINGLE HOOK with a worm.




EACH JURISTICTION has DIFFERENT REGS!

Here is an example of the "Alabama / Umbrella" and the regs from Minnesota (First one I saw online)


Alabama (Umbrella/Yumbrella) Rig

The tackle configuration known as the Alabama (Umbrella/Yumbrella) rig as it is commonly promoted is not legal in Minnesota waters. The rig pictured here is different than using a single lure with multiple treble hooks that is designed to catch just one fish.

Instead, the Alabama/Umbrella/Yumbrella rigs are artificial lure/baits that involve many separate lures/baits attached via wires to a fishing line. Consequently, these rigs are not a single artificial bait/lure, rather a collection of multiple artificial lures/baits each capable of catching a fish.

In the water, the rigs simulate a small school of bait fish and YouTube videos show anglers catching two and even three largemouth bass on an Alabama/Umbrella/Yumbrella rig at the same time.

Minnesota law restricts anglers fishing in inland waters and the Canadian border waters to one artificial lure/bait on a single line. While each artificial lure/bait may have more than one hook (a crankbait, for example), only one lure or tackle configuration is allowed on a single line.

However, a Alabama (Umbrella/Yumbrella) would be legal if not more than one hook or artificial lure/bait is attached. An angler could place a single bait/lure with a hook on one of the wires and attach hookless spinners or plastic baits to the other wires.

On border waters where two lines are allowed, anglers would not be allowed to fish with any other lines at the same time if two hooks, baits or lures are attached to these rigs.

Note: Two lines and two lures/baits are allowed on our border waters with Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas. See page 9 of the 2012 Fishing Regulations (6 MB | 88 pg) for a description of legal tackle and configurations.



Here is a DROP SHOT DOUBLE:

Paternoster Rid / Dropper Rig

This is a perfect rig for when you want to keep your bait away from your sinker and when you want to use more than one hook to either test out what the fish are feeding on or just to increase your chances of getting a hook up. These rigs are most commonly used for bottom fishing and surf casting.
When tying these rigs you can either tie dropper loops into the line and connect your hooks directly to the loops or use swivels such as a 3 way swivel and tie your hooks to the swivel. A good point to bear in mind when using these rigs is to keep your sinker attached to the rig by using a lighter line, this way if you get snagged you only lose the sinker and not the whole rig!



These rigs are great for catching fish such as salmon, tailor and mulloway from the beach as you can make the rig extra strong and heavy to contend with the rough ocean conditions you most often encounter when targeting these species. They're also great for using when bottom bouncing as you can have quite a long rig which is streamlined, great for fishing deep water as your hooks can sit quite away above the sinker which is better as the fish do not feel any weight.
<p align="center">

[font="Verdana][size="1"]Paternoster Rid / Dropper Rig[/size][/font]​

​

​

ETC... ETC...​

I've heard about the Alabama rig before but did research the concept. I've used the Dropper Rig when reef fishing in the ocean. Thanks.

 

[mikea07]

Over the weekend, the only top water lure that produced for me was my jitterbug.

 

[blurred1]

I love em! (Pike and Bass)
Our administrator OPENFIRE has it as his Avatar.



Heddon Baby Torpedo

The Heddon Baby Torpedo is a proven topwater bait that smallmouth and largemouth bass can't resist. Its single prop spins and spits water. The Baby Torpedo can be worked slowly with twitches and pauses, or...ExpandThe Heddon Baby Torpedo is a proven topwater bait that smallmouth and largemouth bass can’t resist. Its single prop spins and spits water. The Baby Torpedo can be worked slowly with twitches and pauses, or reeled constantly at a medium retrieve like a buzzbait. In rivers, work the bait in shallow shoreline water, in eddies, near submerged rocks and in fast-moving riffles for giant smallmouth. In ponds and lakes, pause the Torpedo near wood and weed cover, gently twitching it to entice big largemouth.

Thats the one! Almost picked up 2 will grab them next time. Hadnt used them before and didnt want to spend the money without looking into it.

Thanks

 

[dockmuskie]

I love the jitterbugs and crazy crawlers (my grandpa only uses crazy crawlers when he fishes, says there is no need for any other lure haha). But recently I bought a hollow body live target frog that is the most "unsnaggable" lure I have ever used, I have a feeling it will be my favourite soon.

 

[gabe3366]

I like jitterbugs and hula poppers but lately I have been using bass pro shops tourney poppers. Their pretty good and they only cost like $2.

 

[blurred1]

picked up 2 heddon torpedos yesterday and used them this morning..... ladies and gents i think i have a new favorite topwater lure! The action is great and fish were busting at the surface all morning. Thanks for the suggestion.

Side note also picked up another hula popper and a jjitterbug...... im addicted.

 

[igm]

picked up 2 heddon torpedos yesterday and used them this morning..... ladies and gents i think i have a new favorite topwater lure! The action is great and fish were busting at the surface all morning. Thanks for the suggestion.

Side note also picked up another hula popper and a jjitterbug...... im addicted.

Which colors of the Heddon Baby Torpedoes did you purchase?

 

[blurred1]

Which colors of the Heddon Baby Torpedoes did you purchase?

2 blue shiner and 1 baby bass, picked up another blue shiner today because i couldn't remember if i had that color combo or not........ i am such an addict.

Also picked up another jitterbug today (as well as a terminator spinner-bait, some new meps, 2 strike king pro model jigs some mustad hooks and various scents[trout,bass, walleye and gulp minow]), this one is a little smaller and different color pattern more fitting for where i fish.

What can i say, i warned my wife not to take me when she went to canadian tire for a new floor steamer.... she should have listened.


Cant wait to try out the "blue shiner", was crushing the bites today on the "baby bass" so i had no need to switch patterns.

 

[manitoubass2]

you guys should check out the Rapala X-rap prop bait, I've crushing some hyyyuge smallies on them this summer, and there def. fun to fish!

I also like the x-rap poppers in the minnow pattern.

As well as livetarget frogs, which are just awesome for fishing the thickest of matts on the water, those baits will go anywhere.

I'm also a fan of alot of walk the dog baits, theyll get your heart racing when the bass, pike or walleye smash em!

 

[Bass-o-matic]

Most of my top water success has been with Rapala jointed minnows. I just crank them very slowly along weed lines early in the morning. They'll stay on the surface and do a snake-like motion. Very nice! I caught a couple nice largies at Rice lake doing this.

 

[blurred1]

Most of my top water success has been with Rapala jointed minnows. I just crank them very slowly along weed lines early in the morning. They'll stay on the surface a do a snake-like motion. Very nice! I caught a couple nice largies at Rice lake doing this.

Hehe have 2 Rapala floating jointed minnows in my kit right now. Great action on those!

 

[Wabusk]

Don't get me started on those skitter pops. They are hands down my number 1 lure for top water fishing. The trick is to find just the right rod twitch which gets a good "GLUG" noise and not simply a small splash. Then leave the lure alone until all the rings are completely gone before moving the popper again. Drives the smallies nuts even as the colder weather approaches...

 

[blurred1]

Don't get me started on those skitter pops. They are hands down my number 1 lure for top water fishing. The trick is to find just the right rod twitch which gets a good "GLUG" noise and not simply a small splash. Then leave the lure alone until all the rings are completely gone before moving the popper again. Drives the smallies nuts even as the colder weather approaches...

Love the skitter pop but im starting to become a huge torpedo fan..... love how it buzzes across the top of the water... im sitting there going "yup i would eat that"

 

[prime89]

I have yet to catch a bass or pike on a topwater. Im gon go pick up a spro frog. Second lure i cant decide between a rapala top water or a heddon? : s

 

[manitoubass2]

I have yet to catch a bass or pike on a topwater. Im gon go pick up a spro frog. Second lure i cant decide between a rapala top water or a heddon? : s

Both, lol

Zara Spooks are wicked fun to fish and super productive as well. I like the black/gold pattern one the best