HOW TO WORK A SURFACE LURE | A BEGINNERS GUIDE

With summer finally here, it's now time to break out those surface lures and have some fun! I often get asked for some advice on how to work a surface lure, which ones to use and what kind of retrieve to do.
There are numerous ways to work a surface lure, all of which can be very productive. In this video i go through some of the basics to hopefully provide some help to anybody who is either new to top water fishing or, new to lure fishing for bass all together.
This is not a video on 'the best' surface lures, there are many fantastic brands out there that make great lures for all occasions. Please check out the video and i hope it can provide you with a few pointers that may benefit your bass fishing over the summer months!
Thanks for watching! 🎣
Lures featured in this video..
- Patchinko 125 Ghost Lancon
- Patchinko 140 Nacre
- IMA Salt Skimmer Bora Mullet
- Jackfin Salty Dog 100
Subscribe to my Channel 🎥
- / @fishingwithcal
Follow me on Instagram 📷
- / fishing_with_cal

[@jacquelinemhanson4865]

I would just like to give you a big thank you for this! As a inland fisherman, I have never worked with surface lures before and the information that you have given in this video is invaluable as I find myself moving to a location eight on the ocean. Keep up the good work and keep sending out these awesome videos... I learned a lot, thank you. 😊

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

That’s great to hear. Best of luck with your fishing for the future 🤙🏼 I’m glad it helped.

[@davidyersz8668]

Great video was lots to learn for me, ime 64 and been fishing since I was a kid but only just getting into sea fishing with my new MACKRILL rods and new 14ft beach caster, and lots of soft and metal lures and new spinning rods, ime from Aberdeen and been looking for places to go rock fishing for ages

[@user-pt2dy7br3c]

Nice vid thank you, only one I've found that shows how to work lures. Tight lines mate

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

I’m glad you found it useful. Thanks a lot. 👍🏼

[@kvn1201]

This is a brilliant tutorial and has helped me lots. Thanks!

[@colinbishop2329]

Thanks cal really good info and very well done

[@brixton007]

Much appreciated Cal ! Thanks.

[@paulallum6738]

Very informative Cal, beginners have confidence in your set up, keep at it, success will come.

[@ericbodley2019]

informative and well presented, cheers Cal, looking forward to the next one.

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Thanks.

[@GStone-jl1ov]

Thanks keep them coming

[@c.ifishingguernsey]

Nice video mate that will help a lot of new fisherman into top water fishing 🎣🔥👍

[@richweston6202]

Just found your channel, I'm fairly new to bass fishing thank you very much for this video and great tips! Subscribed!

[@stevebattle6802]

Great video learnt a lot the best I've seen thanks

[@ed8207]

Just started with lures, great vid, thanks a lot👍🐟

[@daza3620]

Thank for the tips.

[@ch0cchip704]

Thanks that's a useful video never had any luck on the surface I keep trying and go back to my usual next missed I'll put your info to use.

[@johnbiff3100]

cheers CaL nice video with some helpfull tips thats a winner winner for me . i love lure fishing and float fishing so well enjoyed watching this one . stay safe and keep well tight lines

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Thanks John 🎣

[@davidfineren479]

Great stuff.

[@tomhatch8860]

Tanks Cal stay safe.

[@daveandtinabarrett9762]

Good vid Cal .

[@edenandmeadow]

Great video bud.... Just bought my 1st bass surface rod and set up anf your my 1st video.... and what a clear informative video.... many thanks

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

That’s awesome mate. Good luck on the bass, I hope it goes well 🎣

[@gregd8880]

Super video, thanks mate

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Cheers 👍🏼

[@SMASHFISHING]

Lots of good info in this video mate good work 🎣🎣

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Cheers mate.

[@924eightball]

great video cal, well explained for the novices amongst us

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Thanks. I hope it helps.

[@christopping5876]

Great video for a Newbie! Thanks

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

👍🏼

[@broadwater5218]

Very articulate

[@outaboutwiththepollards3456]

Nice video dude!

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Thanks.

[@ohitsustu1835]

Good advice buddy. Can you guide the fish to the lure, please!!

[@UKFishingFinesse]

Just what I was after!

[@fainties]

nice nice

[@MrFuzzBen]

Can you do a vid on your lure bag? That the savage gear small? Looks decent.

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

I’m not sure it would make much of a video tbh. It’s a great little lure bag though, I’ve used it for a while now. Has 3 lure boxes and a few pockets for the extras. Lightweight and easy to access. I think it was only about £25 too and it’s lasted well. 👍🏼

[@TailGunner1978]

Great video mate. Here in Greece the skimmer is by far the most popular for bass followed by the savage surf walker(great lure and cheap). What color code is that pearl white patchinko? Looks neat.

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Thanks a lot. That’s good to know, I’ll hopefully be fishing in Cyprus some time in the near future so I’ll take the skimmer with me and give it a go. The patchinko is called ‘Nacre’. I’ve not used the savage gear surf Walker before but have heard good things. 👍🏼

[@kevinfletcher7471]

Nice one , got to love a patch got my 1st bass on one 👌

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Nice👌🏼

[@raedabusanad]

Hi, what rod and reel are you using?

[@AK-mc2xk]

Hi, bit of a random question, not that casting far means more fish but what would you use to get a lure out further, I use braid and a fluorocarbon leader for lures. could you add for e.g. a round float weight or literally just buy a heavier lure?

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Adding any weight above the lure is going to affect the lures action so i probably wouldn’t do that. Heavier lures will cast further yeah. A longer rod will cast a lure a bit further too and making sure your reel is spooled properly will also get the best out of a cast. To be honest, its rare that you'd have to cast that far to find bass, they're usually pretty close in. 👍

[@Kernow84]

The salt skimmer you have here cal is it the salt skimmer grande by any chance if so I'd recommend that you get the original ima salt skimmer 110mm 14g cast like a bullet found the grande cast like a banana 🍌 😂

[@johnrourke3372]

Good vid sir! Can surface lures be effective in deep water rock marks? Cheers, John

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Yes definitely. Its surprising how well they can work in deep water. If you can cast over a deep reef the fish will follow the lure up and hit it for sure 👍 I'd recommend using a surface lure that creates a lot of disturbance in the water and has a rattle when using them in deep water.

[@roland_des8527]

Which type of lure do you prefer in the first casts btw top water lures and shallow divers? i mean it is top water if its very shallow but what if its not shallow and you can use both? How do you decide?

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

If I know the bass are active and hitting topwater lures then a lot of the time I’d use a topwater lure first. Especially if the ground is very shallow and rough. Anywhere up to about 10ft in depth, I’d throw a surface lure out and give that a try. It all depends on the venue to be honest. Other times I’d use a shallow diving lure first and if I start catching I’ll swap lures to see what else they’ll go for.

[@feralgrandad4429]

Cal, what line are you using please? And does line choice affect lure action? Thanks.

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

I’m currently using 26lb Diawa J braid. Personally I don’t think the different brands of braid make any difference to lure action no. The difference between mono and braid is massive though. I would only ever use braid for all my lure fishing.

[@feralgrandad4429]

@@FISHINGWITHCAL thanks for quick reply Cal 👍

[@jhonandsuepile770]

Hi cal, is it only bass or can you catch other fish as well with a top water lure?TIA

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

It’s possible yeah. You get the usual suspects on a topwater lure, I’ve had bass, mackerel, pollock and garfish on them. Apart from that anything else would be a bit of a fluke I guess. Down sizing to a smaller surface lure can be fun for mackerel etc.

[@Cavanpikefishing]

Good video what's the rod @ reel your using? Thanks

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

its a Nomura Never Crack 20-40g and a Shimano Nasci 4000 👍

[@johnhill1421]

Hi Cal with the Chenko do the same style replica still catch cheers John

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Yeah of coarse. A good replica will still catch bass. They won’t have the exact same action as the real patchinko but some replicas look just like them and will work just fine 👍🏼

[@tanner2stryker2]

Have you ever used the savage gear smash tail for Bass

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

No I haven’t. I’ll check them out though thanks 👍🏼

[@antjohnson4236]

Do you carry a few different colours of the same lure when your using them? Or do you find lure colour doesnt make much difference with surface lures?

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

No I don’t really have many different colours of the same lure. They’re so expensive I can’t afford it 😂 I will always have a few different colours of a few different surface lures though. I like natural colours personally. Sand eel imitations, mullet or all white are the go to’s 👍🏼

[@antjohnson4236]

@@FISHINGWITHCAL this has been my thought when it comes to lures about natural looking ones

[@karlstokes874]

@@FISHINGWITHCALanother good video chap. If you haven’t already,have a look at the KINGDOM shop on Ali express. Their patchinko copies are brilliant and a bit more affordable. They are very well made with quality hooks. Sure you may have to wait a month for delivery,but they’re definitely worth a look.

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

@@karlstokes874 Cheers. I have a couple kingdom lures, they’re the IMA Sasuke copies. When it comes to the Patchinko, I’d always buy the real deal. It’s the way they’re weighted that makes all the difference I think. I know they’re not cheap but it’s rare to loose a surface lure so you get your monies worth from them. Cheers for watching the video 👍🏼

[@karlstokes874]

@@FISHINGWITHCAL agree about not losing too many surface lures mate. I was impressed with the kingdom store. I don’t like buying cheap as it usually means crap,but there are some really good stores on Ali ex. Keep the uploads coming please mate,if it weren’t for your channel and Jay’s I’d be bored as hell

[@abi1816]

Wat details is on yr rod length n braid pls call

[@keithwheeler1958]

what reel do you use cal thanks

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

I’ve been using Shimano 4000’s lately. The Nasci & the Sahara, both very nice reels 👍🏼

[@studavies2]

What reel is that please? Would you recommend it?

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

It’s a Shimano Nasci 4000. I used that reel solidly for over 2 years. It took a lot of abuse and it’s still going now. The Nasci costs about £70 and there is a newer version out now with came out in 2020/2021 I think. I’m now using a Shimano Vanford which is excellent, although it’s a bit more pricey. The Nasci is a mid-range reel but feels and performs above its weight. So yes, I would recommend that reel if that’s in your price range 👍🏼

[@studavies2]

@@FISHINGWITHCAL Nice one thanks. Just reading online that it has no anti-reverse, did this cause you any problems? Cheers

[@davidbosomworth1735]

how far are you looking to cast?

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

What do you mean? I’d say it all depends on what kind of venue you’re fishing. A lot of bass fishing is done very close in. Sometimes you need to cast a bit further to hit a reef etc but generally you’re not casting miles. Bass will often follow a lure then strike very close to shore.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

I wouldn't use the 140 in calm conditions; it's too noisy and can dissuade the Bass. A Patch 100 or 85 would be better choices. Or a 10g Fishus Espetit.

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

Personally I prefer a bit of noise. Had quite a bit of success in calm conditions with the 140. I never use any lure under 18g really. The patch 100 is too small, even small bass inhale that thing and it can be a pain to unhook and can damage the fish I find. Just a personal preference though. I will use a silent lure if necessary. 👍🏼

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@FISHINGWITHCAL It isn't too small; we have had a lot of fish over 60cm on the Baby Patch and the Espetit. The Patch 125 is a good size on windy choppy days. The 140 comes out only when the waves are significant. You do you; I am not trying to tell you how to fish, just passing on my experience. You could do a lot worse than buy a 10g Espetit and give it a go on a calm day. Thank me later 😊🍻

[@FISHINGWITHCAL]

@@johnratcliffe6438 No I totally get what you’re saying mate. I’ve watched loads of videos of people using the 100 and catching loads with it. I bought a patch 100 about 3 years ago and it’s still like new, I just haven’t given it enough time in the water as I’m always using the bigger versions. Like I said, I just don’t really use many lures of that weight and that’s all there is to it. Maybe I’ll give it more time this year and catch a monster on it! I appreciate the advice 👍🏼

[@manzfishing6531]

wsup with that tat's on your righr wrist bro?😅