Spring Topwater Bass Fishing - Everything You Need To Know!

[@tkhigman]

Tried throwing some topwaters here in Minnesota on April 8 but the bass couldn't quite break through the ice to get at them.

[@mynameisnotcory]

Ted Higman sounds like you need a flamethrower

[@kayakfishingforpredators9107]

Or take the super-extra-HD poppers. They can be found near/upon the mountains: BOULDERS

[@mattnash5159]

Lol

[@marshmonkeys595]

lol

[@chriscabral4342]

Sorry..here in cali the top water fight is about to take off .

[@grubbingwithnesto6858]

Hey guys just wanna say thank you. Been fishing for like 2 months and have watched all your videos everything I know about bass fishing is thanks to you guys. 44 catches so far. THANK YOU from the capital of fishing!!

[@MorrowSind]

Usually, I can't listen to someone talk for a half hour. I think I could listen to this guy talk fishing for hours. What a great channel!

[@GEOPUZZLE]

Thanks for explaining WHY to use a mono leader with braid.

[@AmeriFanPicker]

Chuck Barnett I started doing it last year after one of their videos. Love it.

[@tphvictims5101]

Frogs are a heartache on a string. I’ve had so many fish BLOW UP on Rats and frogs that scared the death out of me. I’m 65 years old and I’ve got to watch those heart stopping events. 🐸👍🏻

[@JB-ju4ev]

lol yeah. sry but when I read your comment I imagined a bass blowing up and a guy on a boat grabbing his inhaler ty

[@KevinSmith-dx2nf]

Caught my first fish on a frog, turned out to be my new PB, 5.86. She jumped out of the reeds, and choked it. Thanks for all of the great videos!!!

[@florida8953]

badass!

[@Iconcollisionsvs]

Matt gives all this great advise to all of us and it doesn’t cost us a dime and then you have some people bitching about ads or whatever. Thank you Matt. I hope you make a ton of money doing what you love.

[@JAD1DAD]

If you download and use Brave Browser you don't get ads at all.

[@Bluezkat1]

These vids always get me tuned up to get out there and try all these new tips and tricks! Great job as always Matt ... Tactical is money

[@angeldumas4496]

I'm officially in love with this channel! I am just getting back into fishing and you guys have answered so many questions!!!!! I'll be binge watching all your videos this week!

[@matthewhaas8373]

Congrats on 200k! You guys put out the most knowledgeable fishing content on KZbin and it’s not even close. My fishing has improved so much and I owe it to you guys!

[@Matt-sl1wg]

Found your videos after catching my first fish with my Rebel Pop-R. I had no luck last year using it standard style, but I started walking it last night and got my first top-water action ever. Exciting stuff!

[@lunkerdunkerbaits4064]

Excellent explanation on whey some poppers cost a bit more but can be walked. I've never heard this shared before, thank you!

[@scottt.1526]

This is the best fishing channel on KZbin. You guys do good work. By far my favorite fishing channel... Keep it up!

[@michaele5906]

Same here

[@terrytheone4482]

Thank you Matt so much that’s TacticalBassin right there this is the very best top water video I have ever watched I absorbed every word. You sir are the man.

[@williamduarte1169]

I've found your videos to be the most informative out of any tutorials I've seen. You do a great job of covering all my questions thank you !

[@chuechang3191]

Just the video I needed! For the longest...I was so confused as to when to start throwing topwater and which kinds of baits I should be throwing. Now I know! Thanks TacticalBassin!

[@minnesotabassfishing4934]

I have to tell you man I've been watching your videos for a while and you are getting so polished. I can't believe you did that all in one take. Awesome work.

[@bigmoemedina313]

Thank yo so much for sharing such a great knowledge with the rest of us! Im new with Top Water lures and this information to me is Golden!! I started with Whopper Plopper because it’s the easiest to use and boy the explosions are amazing!! Totally addicted now! Ready to use all the other ones. I Have always Admire your knowledge and thanks again for making me a better Angler.

[@erniesanders3724]

Warming up in Kentucky. Great springtime top water tips Matt. Thanks and God Bless.

[@DR-ZBrian]

Kentucky crew 🏆 🏆

[@kentuckycoalroller7593]

My lake is really high so not great fishing right now

[@Kouki.S14]

Nolin lake around me in Kentucky is doing great right now.

[@kentuckycoalroller7593]

I'm going to try Nolin this Saturday barren river is terrible.

[@Kouki.S14]

Agreed. Barren is still really high. White bass should be moving out of Nolin lake into the river to spawn. So I’m gonna try to go hit them in the next few days. Goodluck!

[@powder102]

Been HOOKED on your videos!!! You guys get after it!!! I'm going into my 21st season with an Idaho guide license chasing Trout with fly rods on the South Fork of the Snake River. I'm actually coming to fish Clear Lake April 18th-27th with some Bassin buddies. If any guides in the area have a day open in that window and would like to trade a day of guided trout fishing in my area for a guided day on Clear Lake that would be Killa. If you know any one who might be interested in this please pass along the word. I know most " Bass guys" hate catching "slime rockets" but maybe there's one out there. Anyone visiting Jackson Hole or Yellowstone in Summer is in my zone during prime time. Can't wait to try some of the things I've learned here on your home lake. Thanks for all the great information.

[@davidbaker9271]

You have the best Channel on KZbin always learn so much listening to you thank you so much

[@AmeriFanPicker]

David Baker agree

[@taliesinangling3564]

Nose_Art_Guy_dotcom Ok if you say so

[@treygrosvenor2079]

Most informative KZbin fishing videos out there. Keep it up guys! You deserve way more subscribers.

[@ajslandia5488]

Some times ill pop the whopper ploper 2-3 time and then pause, the fish at my lake are pretty pressured. Works pretty good

[@ronlewis2448]

Finally hit over 200K subscribers! Congratulations!!! Best channel on KZbin PERIOD!

[@caliyak_fishing]

Thank you for the education, buzzbait is my go to and I will look for the plastic ones. Have a blessed day.

[@zachshott7833]

I just happened to get to work way too early this morning, thinking what the hell am I doing here already. And then the stars align, TB video pops up and BOOM💥💥30min top water video!!!! You guys are awesome, thank you

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha! Perfect timing!

[@keenanmoore264]

Your Bully Wa compilation from years back is still a go to video for me when i want to get pumped up to fish. You guys need to make another one of those.

[@bassnazi4713]

Lol at 7:42 or so I thought you had already got a treble to the finger, always thankful for those moments when they just scare you a bit but don't go in past the barb.

[@mattnash5159]

Excellent video. Been hammering the LM bass at night this week on the whopper plopper 90. I'm so grateful for the topwater experience. It's my absolute favorite👌

[@mattcurrie3862]

Good information. Enjoyed the video. A frog and a jig are my two favorite lures to throw and they get some big bites!

[@cbsutton25]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the great videos. Recently ordered some Dirty Jigs TL Pitching in Go-To and caught my PB yesterday with a RI Sweet Beaver Tramp Stamp trailer. Then watched this video since I felt I was moving to fast with my top water this morning, but wasn't sure what to try till after this video. Picked up a couple Googan Hounds (only thing Scheels had on hand) and caught 3 this afternoon fishing over the grass. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thats awesome man! We're happy to help and it's great to hear you're putting in the work and making it happen 🎣

[@megarouge61]

Thanks for the great video and info Matt! Back in the seventies early eighties i threw a strike king timber buzz. It had a simple spoon with an in-line triple plastic blade up front. It made that whisper quiet gurgle and was easy to work slowly. I can honestly say i have never lost a fish that hooked up on one. I lost my last one years ago but I scour the used market from time to time looking for them.

[@3825Yourself]

Thanks for the tips. You aren’t kidding about losing your mind throwing tops on straight braid. But I agree, you need that braid in the long cast hook sets. Will definitely try a short mono leader to avoid running over line with my hooks. Thanks again

[@addicted2rpgs]

I felt that all of this info was extremely on point, but the only thing I would have mentioned in addition is how to deal with the strike. When you see that blow up the 1st thing you want to do is set that hook, but I have found that I will more often yank the bait out of the fish's mouth with an early hook set. I basically count to 2 and then around the that time I will feel the fish either yank or see my bait on the top of the water. That is when the hook set needs to happen. If your bait is on the top of the water just a couple of small twitches trying to keep it in the same place will generally get that fish to come back and slam it. I love everything about this channel, and tried to watch every video that y'all put out. Your information is fantastic, and very appreciated! Keep it up

[@therustyhook1642]

I'm actually headed to the lake today thanks for the video! You always have me trying out new things and they work! Wish me luck Matt!

[@tacticalbassin]

Good luck!!

[@OPENPEEPER]

As always Matt & Tim, you guys rock the info showing the newcomers and seasoned angler the know how and get out there, and get your tug on! Great info boys!

[@ivanlaz5113]

I just put frogs in my box yesterday thinking topwater and this came today always perfect timing tactical thx

[@creighart]

nothing beats topwater. great video

[@timsoutdooradventures3004]

great video another color is the bone white, that color works great once the topwater bite is on. one of my favorites to use is the yo-zuri 3db pencil bait in bone white color, has an amazing walking action. you can walk it fast with long side to side turns or walk it slow with little side to side turns, depends on how hard you twitch the rod. has done wonders for me during mid summer. im headed out of lucerne CA. this morning to throw the yo zuri and the whopper plopper for the first time this year in hopes of catching that monster bass. if that doesnt work im changing up too a jerkbait, ive had luck already this year with a jerkbait, caught some 3 pounders and a few 2 lb crappie on it. i live in lucerne so if you ever see me out on my bright orange ocean kayak im always willing to give up some info on what ive been using that day and if i caught anything. lately ive seen the suspended big females held up in cover mid day and had them annihilate the weightless wacky rig senko, they waited until it hit bottom (or close to bottom) and darted at it and blasted the senko with the force of a topwater bite, i had slack line and they hit it so hard that they pretty much hooked themselves.

[@rickyt.9482]

He's absolutely right.im from up North in Ohio and as soon as I noticed bluegill which my lake bass absolutely love up in the shallows by the Moss I started getting slammed with my Whopper plopper and walking bait.once I see them start schooling shad I go with my skitter popper and throw it by the schooling shad and I know the bass are right behind that school trailing them.works Everytime.im addicted to top water fishing lol.Matt knows his fishing because he's spot on.

[@davidkrumme7168]

Slowing down poppers in the winter works really well in the lakes around me in Oklahoma

[@coryderr8988]

Love ur in depth videos don't be scared experienced fisherman crave it I really appreciate it

[@rshock]

Thx for the tips I have had zero luck getting Bass to bit in cold water. Going to try some top water this weekend

[@beardedbassprojekt6639]

For walking poppers, I discovered the Storm Arashi Cover Pop and it has a big profile, small weight but walks effortlessly and will trigger good one!

[@mr.skeptical3071]

I got a couple of these and was surprised how huge they were! Do they make ones a little smaller?

[@beardedbassprojekt6639]

@@mr.skeptical3071 don't remember seeing other sizes and the Storm website doesn't show other sizes either... One thing I'll add, I can't recall a time where the size of them had a negative impact so I wouldn't bother to much honestly

[@bassnazi4713]

Another good one you can catch on sale alot are the Heddon Chug n Spooks. Walk really well, and when you see one swirl that just missed you can just pop it in the area before going back to walking and usually get them to come back. Lol just the other day had a four lbs LM swipe at it three times before nailing it the fourth.

[@treerat7631]

In the morning and evenings . I'm thinking early April once the ice is gone🤓🇺🇸🎣

[@michaelteaby1160]

Yes!!!!! ThankYou! I just asked you about this the other day! Awesome you guys are the best!

[@NRVOutdoors]

Threw top water for the first time yesterday out of curiosity and had a mega spot fly up out of a tree top practically boat side!! Unfortunately didn't catch it on cam because I really wasnt expecting it. Never got another bite but like you mentioned after that first explosion im sold till winter.

[@rysbikesboasdrones6460]

ya i love top water, skitter pops, and also subwalks are great sub surface walk the dog style lure. great video once again, I like hearing your take on Northern fishing in the spring or anytime, some of the conditions and scenarios you spoke on had my antennas up but you were spot on saying the same shit I be telling my friends half the time, haha so ya man love Tactical Bassin's perspective, actually adopted a few tricks regarding tackle and technique during prespawn so great vid keep em coming

[@mikehankins6799]

Nice video, thanks for the close-up shots on lures and detailed explanation of all. I have had little luck with several local lakes here in OKC area last couple of years and hope this spring is better with helpful tips as yours. Mike Mustang, Oklahoma

[@armandorjusino]

Great informative video, the underwater footage is a welcome addition, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@jeffreymurphy5313]

These are the best videos on you tube, I'm thankful for the time you take to help us fish better. Who are the 10 people who gave this video a thumbs down? Amazing

[@carnufiasfishing8444]

Wow! This video was really in depth. Loved the way it was so broken down, even a newbee could understand.

[@jemhidiahssj4114]

Hitting that time of year here and I need to start throwing top water more. Goal this year was to work Jigs and top water but I haven't had a single top water bite on frogs or ploppers. Killing it on the Jig front though.

[@willperryman4559]

Matt, I am saying Thank You for this video especially 👍💯. After watching this I bought a Bubble Walker 80 in Bluegill and went night fishing on this past Full Moon.. I used one of my new EDGE Rods by Gary Loomis 754 MH moderate... it casts a mile,and after one of my bomb casts, Kaboom (2nd pop) a 5.64 got both sets of trebles....I was singing your praise and laughing as I heard and felt her jumping so far out, it was cloudy and breezy so I fought her blind 😉 🙀 I posted the photo on IG...Thanks Again...oh, I had throw the Loon Whopper Plopper, and a Rat, I love The Bubble Walker 80 😂😂😂

[@redfocus1353]

great video! Just caught my first top water fish and decided to look for a video by you guys, great info as always!

[@jonathangreen1494]

Off the subject... thank you guys for your spring jerk bait videos! I had a epic smallmouth bite yesterday and I used some of you guys advice on springtime jerkbaiting! It was on! Thank you guys for all the help for weekend anglers like myself! Keep them videos coming!

[@oldmcdonald9582]

years ago i had a ball with topwater bait called a devils toothpick. caught a lot of fish. cant hardly find them anymore. theyre antiques.it would float vertically with the head up like an injured.made by smithwick i think

[@johncoyote6755]

Great vid as always. I live in the Deep South. Our lakes are dammed sections of river. We have shad in them. My favorite top water bait that I get most my top water bites on is a chrome rover 98. Y’all turned me on to the rover and I just tweaked it a little to get to this specific bait. Great bait. Don’t tell anyone...

[@mcaetano2000]

The only bass I caught this winter was caught on a G2 Shellcracker in January, on topwater, at sunset. The water was cold, but everyday, at sunset small fish got active in the shallows and bass were there. Had some more bites on the G2 and also on the 7" MS Slammer, but only caught that one fish on the Shellcracker G2. The Shellcracker G2 is an awesome bait and I've seen a few PB's from people in the USA caught on that bait. People who fish a lot of different swimbaits, even giant baits, but their PB was caught on this small bait. I would like to watch you talk about this great little bait. :)

[@raneyoutdoors9676]

Literally the best channel for fishing tips!! Thank you guys!!

[@malcom5538]

Im in nashville percy priest lake to be exact its not ready just yet but its probably a week out then itll turn on

[@hankwilliams999]

Awesome video Matt I finally got my little brother on a small topwater bite yesterday he was throwing a small $1 popper but he was reeling it super slow and it was making a slow wobble on the surface he caught 3 in 15 casts one of which was his PB (only 2lbs but still) I think he's finally hooked on fishing

[@tacticalbassin]

That's awesome!!

[@meanfishtv]

I love watching tou guys, for this vid in example i feel like im already pretty good at getting those frog bites in the spring yet i still learned some stuff, and its that way with every gid no matter how much i already know

[@CallahanHarry44]

Great video Matt! Learned a lot. I never thought of top water this early but will give it a try. I'm breaking out the Whopper Ploppers! Thanks!!

[@justinlambert5489]

Had a college club tournament in January on a power plant lake in Illinois. Water was 50 degrees and we had 3 boats from our club sitting on a school off a point and one guy caught 4 decent ones on a strike king sexy dawg while we were throwing a-rigs and jerkbaits.

[@trickytrav88]

Great tutorial matt , very educational .. I love my sebile pivot frog its walks so nice

[@lusaeteurn6850]

I love your videos. You and Tim do a great job at teaching and has made me that much more better at bass fishing. Thanks and keep on doing what you do!

[@longboardmt]

Had a bass bite my poppin frog on Lake shasta last week! First bass I've had bite on it missed the Hookset but damn the blowup was cool. Can't wait for more top water action!

[@richardmcguire6443]

Love your videos! Can you do one on braid to leader knots mono or floro?

[@johnmango6056]

I caught my personal best up here in Massachusetts on a buzz bait. 7.5 ponder Came up and slammed it right after it got through the lily pads. 15 years later I will never forget that fish

[@dakota-7984]

I live in Indiana and had a couple hits on a popper already

[@vaypr1446]

xSimplixity - where I live in New Palestine

[@bwoody6370]

Love this guy's passion for fishing. Awesome vid, new subscriber here.

[@triciajones2202]

Thank you so much for your video it is easy to follow. I am wanting to learn how to bass fish and when to use what and why. Great job on your video! Look forward to learning so much more.

[@miguelmorales2044]

Whopper ploppers are my go to in spring n summer love them

[@kevinyoung947]

heading out to catch a snapper dinner today but I’ll be kayak fishing in the Everglades on Wednesday it’s a good time to be a Florida boy, down here the popper has been on fire all winter

[@bryonkielian225]

You can walk a Bass Pro XPS popper too if you don’t wanna drop too much cash on them. They’re like $2 I think🤷‍♂️

[@nickcampbell9258]

@strange ghost Walmart gear is phenomenal especially the 1$ spinnerbaits and there 2$ frogs

[@denverSkip]

Awesome info! thanks! Heading to Table Rock in June

[@kentuckycoalroller7593]

What do you do about a lake that is about 30 feet high and dropping 6 inches of water a day? Move lakes?

[@bengoodman6018]

Congrats on 200K subs! You guys r awesome and thanks for all u guys do. Tactical Bassn 4Life!

[@ryanohara6550]

live in michigan been tryin to get my first topwater bait bass on the lake i live near. thanks for the tips man

[@bluegrassbass8798]

top water is turning on here in KY. Had my first frog swipe of the year last week.

[@paulksicinski6181]

Don't know if this has been mentioned already but I use the granddaddy of poppers, the hula popper, in red and white out on open water when smallmouths are herding minnows and slashing through the schools

[@bassnazi4713]

Arbogast have a few great proven top waters. Those Hulas and the Jitterbugs whether jointed or solid always do good, and the old Rebel Pop'rs

[@in_shape_angler_1189]

Yep!! Spent $100 bucks with TW on frogs!! Tactical Bassin did it again. Lol. Thanks for the great tips

[@brucebroadwater8198]

Great video! Thanks for all the information, definitely the only channel I have found addressing fishing in the west. This ain’t Florida or Arkansas and your insight on conditions in California is the best.

[@outlaw1605]

Matt, while trying to get a Jerkbait bite going this weekend without much luck....I remembered the I had a “silent” vision 110 that you recommended..... stroked em....... must have caught about 30 fish...... Crazy....lol

[@michaelfeister1128]

Caught three largemouth on whopper plopped 75 in powder cooler this past Saturday afternoon In love now

[@johnproctor3071]

How light of a braid would you throw with a monofilament leader? I know you throw 65lb braid for the frogs. How about your walking baits and poppers.

[@bradenevansfishing3907]

For another topwater video you guys should check out the ima finesse poppers

[@try2bbetter422]

How do you move the rod in order to walk the lure

[@steinerviana]

Best KZbin fishing channel. With this hot winter (TX) I’m starting to prepare for spring topwater (small poppers, small whopper plopper). I was wondering what’s the best rod and reel for this application? I was thinking on IMX-PRO 722C CR 6'0'' paired with Metanium DC or Aldebaram MGL 50. Any suggestions?

[@zachvires9898]

I live in southern Indiana mainly fishing farm ponds and the livetarget field mouse flat out puts fish on the bank it walks, pops and floats good even after multiple hits and the fish can't resist it caught 8lb bag today 3 fish biggest one being 3+

[@dlewisfl]

How often do you re-tie your mono leaders? After every trip? At least once during trip? Never?

[@240Sil]

I would imagine pretty often. I think he runs about 10ft.

[@davidrussell9290]

I lost my favorite 110 plopper today. RIP. Best channel btw. Thanks.

[@mikehankins6799]

Three questions ... 65lb braid is what you mentioned in video ... is that what you use all the time? I have been using 15lb braid but never caught a huge bass either. Never broke line and has almost always been strong enough to pull off a snag. Maybe I need to go up on braid size? whats the earliest month you start to fish "often" and fish bite? how long do you typically stay in one area bass fishing with no bites until you move on?

[@joshparadise]

LMBO, I was on this bite last night over here in east (Southern Mass). Last light, soft plastic frog, over grass patches, in the warmest pocket on the lake = 4 bass in 5 minutes!

[@sicfishing401]

im in ri you got me wanting to throw topwater tonight hahha

[@joshparadise]

@@sicfishing401 The sun was out yesterday afternoon, unlike tonight. Top-water wouldn't have been the way to go... maybe finesse jigging in pockets, or spinner baits in open water.

[@rangerryley3346]

Just bought some frogs and this video pops up, thank you for the knowledge :)

[@CallUrDrop]

200k subscribers! Congratulations. You guys deserve many more.

[@jfarmer4860]

TW here I come... again.. each video costs me $50... best channel on youtube !

[@onemorecast9902]

Awesome and you get a free tw sticker!

[@in_shape_angler_1189]

I spent $100. Tactical Bassin are best salesman in the fishing industry.

[@BigRigOutdoors]

That bubble Walker is legit. I ordered a couple spring before last because you guy's recommend it now I have an entire box of just Bubble Walker's

[@tacticalbassin]

Yeah buddy!!

[@Sam-bu8dj]

I may have missed this in a video but what are your go to strong knot for fluro braid connections? I’m gonna be running 20# fluro to roughly 30# braid for glide baits. Also Matt and Tim this channel is phenomenal what a resource you have shared with the fishing community. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@bassnazi4713]

I think they have a vid recommending either the PR or the FG. I'll try to see and link.

[@Sam-bu8dj]

Thanks, I learned the regular FG but didn’t like that I could slide it off with my finger nails. Seth Fieders improved FG or the blood will get the go ahead

[@bassnazi4713]

@@Sam-bu8dj yea blood is very good, too. Later today if i can find it there was a vid for one that was really easy to watch and see.

[@bassnazi4713]

@@Sam-bu8dj here is one of theirs dealing with the types they recommend I believe: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnzRaoOdoZamj6s

[@bassnazi4713]

@@Sam-bu8dj and here is one I have used as well, the Improved Alberto: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKCrfoqbgZ6sebM