Topwater Choices for Bass & Blues
Capt. Dave Flanagan of North Island Fly & Light Tackle charters showing a perfect example of why we love big topwaters.
While many saltwater fans are familiar with the idea of surface fishing during wild fall runs, there is some pretty good action to be had in late spring and early summer as well. Considering the cold winter and relatively cool spring which has helped keep Long Island’s east end waters from pushing much above the 65-degree mark so far this year, there’s still plenty of time to draw impressive surface strikes. Even once the waters warm up as summer hits full stride, early mornings and after dinner rising tides present further opportunities if you patrol channel edges bordering prominent flats or target the first and last hour or two of incoming water where inlet and ocean rips reliably set up.
From the back bays to right “up front” and off to the tuna grounds, there is nothing more exciting that the slash of a predator species exploding on a surface offering. With just that thought in mind, here’s a round-up of seven great surface plugs that will work from boat or shore just about any time you come across predator fish pushing bait to the top. Keep a couple of these on board or in your plug bag and chances are good you’ll make the most of the next surface breaks you happen across.
Big bluefish often fall victim to the classic Super Strike Little Neck Popper!
Super Strike Little Neck Poppers: An all-time favorite among the surf fishing crowd, this lure is equally at home along the open beach, from the rocks, or aboard a boat. The current plastic version, which comes in both floating and sinking models, was introduced in the early 1980s and has certainly withstood the test of time with stripers and blues.
These poppers come in both floating and sinking models, and you’ll want to work each a little differently. The floaters can simply be popped across the surface with a steady rhythm, especially if your quarry is erupting right in front of you.
With the sinking version, you’ll want to take two or three cranks of the reel handle to get the lure moving just below the surface, then pop it hard to bring it to the top in a way that imitates baitfish trying to escape pursuit. Continue the same rhythm until you run out of water or the lure gets stopped dead in its tracks. You can also swim this lure just below the surface with a steady retrieve – a deadly tactic after dark as it acts like a metal-lipped swimmer.
Additionally, we enjoy the treble belly hook and single rear hook arrangement thanks to its extra sticking power and easy releases. White and yellow are the favored colors here at the shop, but mackerel and black over purple have followings, too. We suggest throwing a pattern in the 2-ounce range for back bay action or when tempting school bass. Bump up to the 3-ounce sizes at the inlets, along the ocean beaches, or during the fall run. ($21.99 – 23.69)
The Doc - a classic "secret weapon" for big stripers.
Drifter Tackle Doc Spook Lures: Doc Spooks have taken the saltwater scene by storm over the last decade for their ability to pull big bass and blues on a regular basis. Originally a muskie lure, they have proved themselves again and again on the briny front. For the first few years, their identity was a well-guarded secret amongst sharpies in our area and it took a couple years for the cat to get out of the bag.
You’ll want to work these lures with an exaggerated walk-the-dog pattern, allowing the plug to glide a bit at the end of each heavy rod twitch. It’s’ that large profile, little bit of extra glide, plus a serious embedded rattle, that calls in bass so big you’ll have to toss them back under our current regulations.
The 9-inch version is favored for any waters where big bass roam, but you can work up plenty of keepers along with bigger fish using the smaller 7-inch version, too. Without a doubt, bone is the favorite color choice for most of our customers, but yellow is great for tempting gorilla gators, and blue works well when the sun is high in the sky. ($22.99 - $23.99)
Lemire’s Plugworks WaveJammer Spook Lures: Sticking with the “spook” theme, Lemire’s Plugworks WaveJammer Spook Lures also deserve a nod. At 8.5 inches long and 3-ounces for the larger size and 2.2 ounces for the 6-inch size, this lure is slightly shorter than Drifter’s Doc offerings. It also has a thicker head for extra casting reach, although either brand can be tossed a country mile.
We feel the bone, yellow and porgy patterns to be an especially nice touch with this lure as they offer three different looks that cover any degree of sunshine, making color selection a less overwhelming choice. The stainless steel thru-wired build with fitted VMC 4X strong hooks, Wolverine Stainless Split rings, and Krok Stainless Steel Swivels also ensure you’ll have no fear putting the drag to the beast of a lifetime. ($33.45 - $37.70)
Outcast Lures Hybrid Mini and Medium Pencil Poppers: These may look odd at first glance, but we assure you they are built to put science on your side. Designed for super casting ability and able to push a ton of water, these are an especially smart choice for working in rough seas, on windy days, or dealing with both factors at the same time.
The mini comes in a 2-ounce size, meaning you can match the hatch when smaller bait dominates. If you do need to go bigger, the 7-inch, 3.25-ounce size stands ready, willing and able. Here at the shop, the squid ink pattern with big holographic eyes is the most popular choice for both sizes. We think it looks really cool – and we know it catches fish. ($32.95 - $40.95)
NorthBar Flying Squid Pencil Popper: We like to support our local lure manufacturers, and we’re sure you do, too. That’s one reason we carry NorthBar Tackle’s Flying Squid Pencil Poppers. Another is that this lure is so smartly designed that it can’t help but generate exciting surface strikes.
To be certain, this is a top-notch popper that sports some really neat and original features. Take the fins at the head, for example. They stabilize the lure in flight, significantly cutting down wobble to ensure greater casting distance. At the same time, all that extra surface area equates to a bigger splash with each rod twitch allowing this lure to call out loud and clear to any predator within the immediate area.
At 8-inches and 3-ounces, the Flying Squid casts great, offers a large profile, is solidly built, and can splash with the best of them. We suggest you try the blue mackerel, white with pink haze or the white/red head patterns. ($20.99)
On this spring morning wading in the bay, Jeff Lomonaco couldn't keep the schoolies off the 24/7 Flippin' Mullet.
24/7 Flippin’ Mullet Spooks: Made in nearby Connecticut, 247’s Flipping Mullets may be produced in small batches, but they have a growing and appreciative following. This spook style option is relatively small at 5.75 inches and 1.25 ounces, but it carries a big punch when it comes to drawing bass and blues to the surface.
With this lure, we really appreciate that the smaller size seems enticing to keeper-sized stripers as well as bigger bass, casts surprisingly far, and sports a cone-faced nose and long slender tail that make it easier to work than many lager walk-the-dog style lures. That it sports a belly hook and single rear hook (similar to the Super Strike Little Neck Popper) is another big plus. ($24)
Madd Mantis Cherry Poppers: One of the premier tuna topwater offerings on the market, Madd Mantis Cherry Poppers rule the seas for many anglers seeking offshore adventure. With a large, deep-cupped face and a wide body that can’t be ignored, these poppers create a ton of noise, loads of splash, and track really well even in choppy water.
Super tough and built specifically to withstand the pressures of offshore battles and big fish hook-ups, these poppers are money in the bank when it comes to tempting tuna. We use them on our own personal trips - and when heading out with customers on White Water Outfitter Charters.
We count on these popular big game popper’s superb construction, amazing water displacement, and ability to stay the course while being retrieved in tumultuous offshore conditions. Super strong, they are also a great choice for targeting giant trevally (GT) on those winter vacations in far off places where the water is always warm, the fishing is often on fire, and dreams can come true if your poppers are up to the task. ($16.99 - $31-99)
There are, of course, many other great surface lures to choose from but those noted here rank among the most popular with our customers at the shop. To check out more surface splashing options, visit our website at https://whitewateroutfitters.com/, select the <Lures> tab, check your favorite species in the <Species> pulldown menu, and select <Topwater> under the <Style >menu. We carry nearly 100 topwater lures from which to choose.
- Bryce Poyer
