90% Of Anglers Don’t Know How To Fish A Walking Topwater! Learn To Master It With These Retrieves!

[@juleswinnfield826]

Always neat to hear the different fisherman ( bass, walleye, bluegill, crappie, saltwater, great lakes cold water fisherman, fly fishing) talk about the same common denominators that tie all of them together as anglers regarding their target species lure presentations. Linear speed, vertical speed, cadence (erratic/rythm) We as anglers are good at glossing over the basics with fancy, new and whats the best color. Thanks for the vid and keeping it grounded.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You got that right!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Awesome video!!! Keep those tips coming because I am learning!!!!Stay Safe and God Bless!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks, will do!

[@michaelhowell2609]

Keep pushing out these retrieve videos. I’ve learned a lot. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks, will do!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺👍🤑. Texas rigged soft plastics and top water is my strength. I have been jacking on them with topwater for 40 years. For me I have fished it basically the same way all these years because it simple works and makes sense in my mind. I cast it out and let it hit the water (this alone mimics a bait fish feeding at the surface) properly placed it can get bit instantly. Let sit for 5 seconds, then 1-3 quick twitches from 1 o’clock to 9 o’clock. I fish left handed reels with hook sets up over my left shoulder) If you fish the other way then twitch from 11 o’clock to 3 o’clock. This top water twitch has tremendous drawing power( arguably the most of any bait). If bass are in the area the will generally bite. Now if no bite you must get the top water to the next area. The best way to do that is as you are reeling quickly give the rod numerous short quick twitches from 1-9 o’clock. This will make the bait “swim”/“walk” under the surface slightly with an amazing natural left to right action into the next potentially area/zone( this mimics a bait fish fleeing and or chasing bait) both of which generates bites. Then let sit for 5 seconds and repeat the above process over and over until your cast is back to the boat. The longer the cast the better. If bass are in the area. You WILL CATCH them especially over grass. This is most affective at first light and with a slight chop on the water but works all day. On extra choppy water you get more “misses” and on calm water you get more close followers with out bites but it’s all tremendously exciting. Topwater is one of life’s true “ natural highs”

[@MattStefanFishing]

I love topwaters as well! thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@johns3292]

Love the "skitter" retrieve suggestion. Can't wait to try on our bi-polar Idaho (Snake River) smallmouth.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good luck!

[@SpookyRedz]

I like the pause and start

[@MattStefanFishing]

me too

[@1chefbr]

Excellent video, Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@josephhillman8831]

I remember getting a super spook Jr from a guy and he said that you just reel it in fast ! Low and behold I seen Jimmy Houston on TV use it the right way I've literally been hooked ever since love to throw one

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@paulksicinski6181]

Thank you! I needed this!

[@MattStefanFishing]

You are so welcome!

[@learningtofish7036]

Thank you Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

My pleasure!

[@johnrayner5599]

All of these are very good retrieves and ones that I have also used with much success, that slow tantalizing retrieve is one that really has produced for me here lately!!! Thanks Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great to hear!

[@MrTxawjcoj]

This the video tip right here! As the fall top water bite is upon us and it's only going to get better. Keep them coming sir!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! Will do!

[@rvfishingyet]

Another great retrieve video

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@ramsteingolfer]

Always informative! Thanks for sharing Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Any time!

[@shannonkirby9295]

Needed this one, Matt. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Anytime!

[@erikanderson1142]

Good call on the mono line. I have seen on some KZbin episodes hooks being bent out on trebles and braid, I believe using mono prevents that and better hook up to land ratio. Thanks for the vids! Doing last Lake Geneva Monday night for the year as sun comes up walking bait there is key I will try to go outside the standard walking retrieve maybe get some extra bites.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great point!

[@shawnwhalen8314]

I used a retrieve that you or Randy B. Recommend that he learned from an old tournament pro. It involves throwing your Spook out as far as you can, letting it sit for a minute, walking it hard 4 or 5 times and letting it sit, then repeat. I was fishing a murky river with my Spook practicing the technique...on the first couple jerks and stop a fish blasted it! and it was big. I thought "holy crap! It's a huge bass!", To my surprise it was a 22" walleye! That was really cool I thought. Still haven't got that big bass, but maybe trying some of the different retrieves will work! Thanks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

walleye on topwater! Nice!

[@emoutdoors5661]

Awesome video!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@LowBrowFishing]

It took me a long time just to get the right cadence down for walking a spook. I would see guys do it and make it look so easy and I would always get frustrated. But after a long time of practice, I finally got it down. Now I try to vary my retrieve by slowing the bait down over structure or a grass patch or whatever. I'm actually catching fish on them now, so yeah, there's that.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@WolverineXXXX]

@@MattStefanFishing Yet when I say they are hard to walk, people shame me. What a shame.

[@ВладимирГерич-ц3м]

Very interesting your videos about lures , technical fishing with jerkbait ( sorry for language ) Hello from Ukraine ✌🇺🇦🤘

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@mbeieler]

Man Im learning so much from this series! awesome video as usual Matt!! 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for the support!

[@mgdwj]

Under what conditions do you use a silent vs. knocker style walking bait?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I only use silent in gin clear water

[@rousefire]

Good job . Always clue us in on the rods and reel you use .

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill try to do better

[@jasonrutherfordbassfishing]

Great info! I don’t know what it is about top water but man my hook up ratio is 10% I still love watching them smash my walking baits!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

we got to improve that!

[@jasonrutherfordbassfishing]

@@MattStefanFishing that’s the plan!! I found the factory hooks on the spooks don’t keep them pinned so I switched to some KVD’s and it helped! I’ll get back after it next spring because without a good top water game I know I’m missing a ton of opportunities!

[@bigmikefishingchonicles9950]

Thanks!!!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

No problem!

[@craigstevens9734]

Tuned in real good on this one .Knew you was tall 6 foot is a good rod length for me.might even go a little shorter .if I like the rod like I do . Appreciate Gonna check out that description.

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@hunter5858]

How is the sensitivity of the mhx blanks Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

Phenomenal!

[@LucasBoone318]

Matt, do you ever use a front runner? Like a Norman or PH customs? If so, does the water have to be cleaner for it to work?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I do occasionally when fun fishing but its illegal to do in my tournaments.

[@mikeeller557]

Great tips Matt. So, what are you doing next season ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Not sure yet

[@scottvan6064]

Another good video, I tend to pause a lot with my retrieve. it that a bad thing ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

not at all!

[@aarongreenlee7867]

Holy cow Matt, I didnt realize you were 6'4". No wonder all your fish look small 😆. I really appreciate this series! I have not tried the last retrieve, but I will now.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha! yep i wish i could cut off two inches

[@Strat642001]

​@@MattStefanFishingHey Matt, do you do anything specific for your back throughout the season? I'm 6'3" and notice my back will get to me after a day on the water.

[@SpookyRedz]

Loved it bro

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@masonlee9609]

Hey, could you make a video on fall smallmouth bass fishing for rivers?

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill put it on my suggestions list! thanks!

[@k1llerdir]

I like the video nice tips. The way you use a walking bait is very similar to how I do it. The main difference is I like a 7'4" MH moderate action 14lb mono on a 8:5:1 gear baitcasting reel.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff!

[@KayleeG0]

Love your videos they are all pure gold. I love a top water bite but my arm gets super tired from jerking do you just condition your body and work through the pain haha

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@pugsleythebesttalkingquake6848]

Any suggestions for working this from a kayak. The rod clearance is an issue. Can you donthis by pulling to the side?

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes you can but its more difficult

[@williamgould2470]

When the fish are getting off thing off or missing your large top water walking bait would it be better to switch to a smaller one so that they can get it in their mouth better

[@MattStefanFishing]

its worth a try

[@stevebunde4035]

Love your videos. In the fall, at what water temperature do you stop using a walking bait?

[@MattStefanFishing]

upper 50's

[@cincinnatiking8008]

Hey Matt, I have a question for you. I'm on the bank. I can see huge bait balls of shad. The bass are blowing up on them, but I can't get them to hit my lure. I tried a 3.8 and 4.8 Keitech on an Owner Flashy, spinnerbait, and a buzzbait. What is your strategy for targeting these bass blowing up on bait balls in somewhat stained/muddy water?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Try to match the size of the bait

[@terrytresemer2864]

If you add more power to one side over the other you can walk it more to the left or right. This is helpful if you want to bang into a stump, branch or tree. Check out the thumb nail - Matt's worn the paint off that one.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thats a great tip!

[@willperryman4559]

Matt, do you ever tie your walking baits with a loop knot ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I generally do not

[@scottvaughn9565]

I can walk that sucker in a circle if I want to. I started with the spook 22yrs ago and it's my favorite of all time. I don't usually use a big stick bait but they are def easier to manipulate. Oh and straight mono is best no doubt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

agreed!

[@shawn_r_schultzfishing4883]

Love throwing a top water bait! I like to walk the bait really fast for a few rod "slashes" then pause and wait until the bait almost turns and faces the wrong direction where it would tangle up and then repeat, it's almost like the fish comes face to face with the bait and can't resist 🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@chrisduffy2737]

What about the Coney Island Half-Step? That where the angler only lets the plug turn one way, stops it half way 'round (that's the half--step), then jerks it to the original direction.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i like it!

[@Mr.Higgs.]

I find personally with me I start off slow at first and as I get closer I speed up the retrieve to help cut down time between casts.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@tjwilliamson7882]

Loving the retrieve videos Matt! I was fishing a skitter v last weekend and it just didn't seem to have the correct movement. However I was using flouro. Could that be the main cause of this or does it really make that much of a difference? Thanks in advance!

[@MattStefanFishing]

fluoro will kill it and pull the bait under water. I recommend not using fluoro

[@tjwilliamson7882]

@@MattStefanFishing yep it would dart under the surface periodically. Would walk for a couple twitches then nothing lol. I will switch to either braid or mono. Thank you sir! Much appreciated

[@williamknight5142]

I favorite is a stop and go kind of like a jerkbait.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@johnlantz7278]

The more time with this bait an it becomes a mastery🎉 how we learned to fish bass because we grew up with all the best innovations in fishing an bass plugs ,the secrets are how to play with the cat take 1;2:3,4, an mix the numbers for cadence of twitches ,til u hear the flush.😊😊😊😊🎉

[@MattStefanFishing]

You got that right!

[@stephanelavoie2258]

The walking bait didn’t worked at all in my region ( Quebec ) this year . Question : The last video you made with the 3/4 swimjigs , you sent me a message with a phone number , (that i couldn’t see) that i won something, was it you pr just a scam ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

scammer. please ignore it

[@Triple87]

This is right up my alley. I’ve been trying walking lures all year and haven’t got a single fish. 4 months of fishing top water and just got my first top water bite of the year yesterday. Lol.. Sad, I know. 🤣

[@gerryhazelton9569]

Stick to whopper ploppers

[@Triple87]

@@gerryhazelton9569 I actually got that fish on a Berkely Choppo lol.

[@gerryhazelton9569]

@@Triple87 they flat out work . Just got a 4 pounder in Rhode Island with whopper plopper the big one

[@gerryhazelton9569]

@@Triple87 they hate the noise . That’s why I avoid the diamanté and any walking bait stick to the real killer

[@Triple87]

@@gerryhazelton9569 I usually fish with my son and nephew. They have had no problem with top waters this year. I’ve simply had zero luck. One time I was throwing a spook around and got nothing. I put my rod down for 2 seconds and my son picks it up and throws it. 2 casts in he gets a 4 pound largemouth right where I had casted 10 times. 🤣 Just my luck I guess. 😂

[@SpookyRedz]

Clear silent and less clear knocker for most baits

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@randyhedderick6178]

No stop and go? Com on man.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i had a stop and go in there, just not the same cadence throughout

[@WolverineXXXX]

90% don't know walking baits.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching

[@WolverineXXXX]

I also want to say Vixens are terrible in chops. They go underwater. THUT says that Teckles are best in chops. How? It's the same bait. So much misinfo on the Tube that they need to be censored. BC they go under, I am no longer interested. I mean I've waited a long time to try them. I've always used better stuff. That's life. Sometimes by wanting more, you downgrade. Their marketing ploy is genius tho. Delay the lure and upscale that lure. Got a few and am not impressed overall.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing. i love vixens!