Top Water Bass Fishing Techniques

Top water bass fishing is probably the most popular way to catch big bass during the hot days of summer. During the months of July and August the growth of aquatic vegetation is at full force. This is a great time to use top water baits to catch big bass.

One of the most popular baits around the country to use for top water bass fishing is a “buzzbait.” This lure has been around for decades and has been catch very large bass ever since it hit the market. However, this lure is not used by many bass fishermen, especially up here in the North Country. It's not quite clear why anglers do not use buzzbaits. Perhaps, they do not purchase them because of their goofy design but the only thing goofy about a buzzbait is not having one!

Buzzbaits are deadly especially around moss pockets or mossy flats for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons is the bait's ability to provoke inactive fish to hit. The noisy and visual action from the bait will anger fish as the bait moves across moss pockets, under water trees, and rocks. Anglers must remember that bass or aggressive feeders, even when they are not biting.

Buzzbait’s are not real simple to use straight out of the box. The key to using a buzzbait is to reel as quickly as you can once the bait touches the water. This will get the lure to the surface and get the prop blades turning as quickly as possible creating a buzzing noise unavoidable to bass. When anglers first start using this bait, they often throw it awhile and then give up. The more you practice with this bait the better you will learn when and where to use it. Another tip that I can give you is to buy different types of buzzbaits. I prefer using a 3/8 oz. Strike King Tri-blade with a white silicone skirt. This type of buzzbait makes a great soft and subtle buzzing sound on the water that I seem to have better luck with. If that is not working, then I will use a buzzbait with a regular big prop to create extra loud noise. Sometimes the difference of sound of the surface can mean the difference of catching more bass. On days when the bass don’t seem interested in either of those two, I will tie on a tiny buzzbait and cast that. These types of buzzbaits are a lot smaller and create a quieter noise on the surface. They also seem to go through the moss a lot better than the bigger buzzbaits.

Remember, using a buzzbait around the listed ambush spots will offer not only great results but will provide an angler with an unbelievable experience as bass explode on the surface to eat the bait. Having the opportunity to witness such a phenomenon the biggest reason why top water bass fishing is so popular.

Other types of great surface baits for big bass are the new buzz frogs. These frogs hit the professional tour last year and have a been a big hit. Buzz frogs are fished similar to buzzbaits. After you cast and the moment the frog touches the surface of the water start reeling to keep it up onto the surface. The back legs will start kicking and create a subtle buzzing sound. These baits can also be fished just below the surface and retrieved in a jerking motion. During this type of retrieve the frog will swim below the surface and mimic a real frogs swimming technique. A real good company to purchase these buzzing frogs is Sizmic, Mann’s, and Berkley Bait Company. The best way that I have found to rig these great baits is to use a 3/0 wide gapped hook rigged Texas style without any type of weight.

No matter what surface bait you prefer whether it’s a buzzbait, buzz frog, Pop –R, or a hula popper, anglers need to be patient when a bass strikes on the surface. One huge mistake that all bass fishermen do (even the Pro on ESPN) when using surface baits is the jerk the rod to set the hook as soon as the bass strikes. This will create many missed opportunities for the angler to set the hook on a fish. Anglers must pause for a second as soon as the see the bass strike the bait. After this brief pause the angler can set the hook. If you can train yourself to do this you will get a lot more bass in the boat. Just remember to release the big fish. This will create a trophy lake forever.

If you really enjoy bass fishing and would like to try the competitive edge of bass fishing then you need to join the Badlands Bass Bandits. This is our first year as a club and so far it has been very successful. We have members from all across the state of North Dakota as well as a few from South Dakota. If you are interested in are club and have any questions please feel free to contact me at dakotakidbassmaster@yahoo.com

Editor's Note: Paul Reinbold spent most his life near Lake Oahe in South Dakota. Like many who grew up in the Dakotas, Paul spent a great deal of his adolescent life pursuing various fish species throughout various Upper Midwest waters. To name a few, Paul listed fishing for perch, crappie, bluegill, pike, and walleye were among his favorite. However, Paul made it very clear his favorite pursuit and catch remains and will remain with smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Since the age of 15, he has spent his summers participating in his home town's bass fishing club. The experience and knowledge he gained through the years from his club and other clubs put Paul's name on the Angler of the Year award five consecutive times. As a competitor, Paul has taken his knowledge to another level successfully competing in several fishing tournaments.

Many (if not all) tournament anglers experience a level of stress from the challenges of fishing tournaments. When asking Paul how he escaped such stress, He replied, "Strangely enough, I actually prefer to fish through the ice!"

Paul chuckled adding, "The funny part is I've been fishing myself in more and more ice fishing tournaments."

Paul has always found it fun and rewarding in actively spreading his experience and knowledge to fellow fisherman. Just last year, he began writing articles for a local newspaper back home hoping to offer anything he could. Now a native of Dickinson, ND, Paul has been making his rounds on western North Dakota waters for the past few years and wishes to extend his writing to the viewers of Fishing Buddy Outdoors and the Total Outdoor Network. Look for more articles from Paul in the future!