The Best Topwater Baits for Bass
There’s nothing quite like a bass blowing up on a topwater bait. It’s explosive, visual, and downright addicting. But not every topwater is the same, and knowing when, where, and how to fish different types can make all the difference between a slow day and an epic one. Let’s break down the best topwater baits for bass fishing, and why they are so effective.
What Are Topwater Baits?
Topwater baits are lures designed to stay on or near the water’s surface. They mimic injured baitfish, frogs, insects, or small animals struggling on the water — irresistible targets for opportunistic bass. The main types include:
• Poppers: Baits with a concave face that spit water and make a popping sound.
• Walking baits: Slim, cigar-shaped lures that glide side-to-side (“walk the dog”).
• Buzzbaits: Wire-framed baits with a spinning blade that churns water noisily.
• Frogs: Soft hollow-bodied lures that imitate real frogs, great for thick vegetation.
• Prop baits: Hard baits with small spinning propellers on the front, back, or both.
When to Fish Topwater Baits
Topwater baits shine best during certain conditions:
• Early morning and late evening: Low light makes bass more willing to roam and strike at the surface.
• Overcast days: Cloudy skies extend the topwater bite through the day.
• Warm water: Topwater generally becomes more effective once water temps rise above 60°F, really peaking in the 70–80°F range.
• Stable weather: After a few consistent weather days, bass get more predictable and aggressive.
You can still catch bass on topwaters in cooler temps or bright sun, but it’s much more situational.
How to Fish Them
Each type of topwater bait needs a specific approach:
• Poppers: Short, quick pops for aggressive strikes, or long pauses if the bite is slow.
• Walking baits: Use a steady rhythm of twitches while reeling slack line — practice until you get the side-to-side “walk.”
• Buzzbaits: Steady retrieve right after the bait hits the water, fast enough to keep it churning.
• Frogs: Hop or twitch them across mats, pads, or dense cover. Sometimes a dead-stop pause gets heart-stopping strikes.
• Prop baits: Short bursts of movement followed by pauses, creating a splashing, struggling action.
Always pay attention to how the fish are reacting. Some days they want it moving fast and loud; other times a slow, subtle action seals the deal.
Where to Fish Topwater Baits
The best spots for topwater fishing are places where bass expect to ambush prey:
• Shallow flats: Especially near deeper drop-offs.
• Weed beds and lily pads: Perfect for frogs and buzzing lures.
• Docks and shade lines: Bass hide under structure waiting for something to fall in.
• Over submerged grass: Walking baits and poppers can call fish up from the cover.
• Creek mouths and backwater areas: Food funnels into these spots, bringing hungry bass.
The key is to target places where bass feel hidden and secure but still close to open water for a fast attack.
Why Topwater Baits Are So Effective
Topwater baits trigger reaction strikes. The noise, movement, and disturbance on the surface imitate an easy meal — often a wounded or struggling one — and bass can’t resist. Even if a bass isn’t hungry, the chaos on the surface taps into their instinct to attack.
Plus, topwater strikes can happen from bass you’d otherwise never reach — like fish suspended high over deep water or tucked under impenetrable grass mats. It’s one of the most fun and rewarding ways to catch bass because it’s so visual and aggressive.
Awesome! Here’s a clean Topwater Baits Cheat Sheet you can use or share:
Quick Tips
• Best Water Temp: 60°F and up
• Best Time: Dawn, dusk, overcast days
• Best Conditions: Calm or light chop
• Why It Works: Reaction strikes to sound, motion, and surface disruption.
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Tight lines,
Danny Egan
Egan Fishing
