TOPWATER FISHING (WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TO FISH A TOPWATER)

[@kennethlowy1864]

Glad you’re making fishing videos again and not whining about boaters too close, young guys, cheaters and boat drivers. We’re about fishing. The world has enough problems without bringing them into one of the last things we can do during COVID-19. That old guy from Brentwood, CA.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I hear ya, I wouldn't call it whining I'd call it bringing up awareness about it. If I didn't bring it up it would just be washed over. I think cheating is a big deal and stealing money isn't something to gloss over. Driving too close and being dangerous on the water is a big deal and talking to young kids about safety should be brought up. If I did every video on this I understand it would get old, however when it happens as mush as it does it shows there is a problem. They keep giving me content hopefully one day they won't.

[@kennethlowy1864]

Thanks for getting back to me despite my use of a poor word “whining” in my last reply. I’m from California and we whine about everything here. I’m trying to remember that you’re a professional fisherman looking out for your career. I apologize. However, it seems to me that making people aware of cheaters, etc. would be better addressed in “Bass Anger Therapy” videos. It seems to be more appropriate to that atmosphere and that group you have. We all fish our own local tournaments with their unique rules and ways to address problems. I really think you’re one of the very best KZbin video fishermen out there. I love it when you share your fishing experiences with the public. Maybe I’m getting a little old and cranky....so I would like to thank you for your patience and skills. Keep the videos coming and don’t leave out us California fishermen. Remember, we have Clearlake and the California Delta in my backyard and so much of what you do relates to those two bodies of water. Once again, that old guy from Brentwood, CA.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

You got it!!!

[@rogerdudra178]

I started building fishing poles because I needed one. The need taught me how to make them. Top water baits, like some flyfishing is THE best fishing a guy can get. It, too, has to be learned. Nice hole.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Right on

[@timfontenot9921]

I agree buddy. Everyday would be good with me 👍

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Always

[@Rob-tl9md]

I use 30lb j braid with a 2 foot leader of fc100 sunline. Fantastic action for topwater and line doesn't foul in front treble.

[@benjaminott4]

Topwater clinic. Awesome!!!!

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Thank you

[@josephpadillawooky]

Man every video gets better and better keep it up. I hear alot of people that like to use a small peace of mono leader when throwing a top water with trebles to stop bait from running over the line, how do you overcome that issue with straight braid

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I honestly don't know never really had an issue with it. I believe everything can fixed by just working the bait the right way.

[@andreww3065]

Awesoem videos buddy, really enjoying them. Any tips on your favourite areas of the lake for fall ...?

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Mid lake around the grass, stay away from the south end.

[@jerryjames6090]

I was just wondering if you could post a video on your deep cranking setups and your basic color choices?

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Will do

[@gunnerwilliamson4046]

Awesome video. Great info.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Thanks! 👍

[@DubH46]

I'm a huge fan of topwater. I grew up literally fishing a freaking Heddon Chugger Jr year round. Yes, even winter time, but we would catch fish so why stop. Lol

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I agree if I'm catching fish on a topwater I never stop.

[@spencerroberts8920]

Keep ballin on these fools todd

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Thats the plan!!!!!!

[@ChuckPippinBassFishing]

Dude! You got a cameraman. No wonder you’re getting out 3 vids a week. 🔥👊🏻

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

One time, and it was Andrew. I will say it helps for sure.

[@tonydanja4266]

Love the videos, really enjoy the therapy episodes.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Thank you

[@morrisonoutdoors8477]

Enjoy your channel. Still have a ways before we get to the fall fishing but would like to know what you look for in the fall and when the baitfish start heading back shallow. Keep videos coming!!!👍

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

You got it!

[@morrisonoutdoors8477]

@@toddcastledinefishing5924 Thanks!!!

[@donflanary166]

Good video. Gotta love topwater bites. I throw a spook and a sexy dog. I like the rattled as well the majority of the time.Any particular conditions that you like the silent walking baits. I feel like the sexy dog is easier for me to walk and get the cadence right but the spook does get big fish bites for me. Keep up the good work, I really like your explanations of why and what works for you

[@treysammons4248]

I like to use a silent spook when the water is really clear Or when the fish are seeing a lot of other top waters

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Big bites/little bites rattle or not, I've seen it all. I couldn't tell you one thing over another sometimes it might be day to day. Sometimes its just preference and what feels right. Most of the time I see know real explanation for it. What I'll say is that sometimes they want a walking style bait and sometimes they don't. Thats the real key.

[@swiftarrowoutdoors]

Great video. I been getting a few Sexy Dawg and the Jr's for myself. No luck on them here yet in NJ. Do you change out the factory hooks on them ? Also be great to see videos showing maybe your top 5 or 6 colors etc. With so many to choose from it can be a bit intimidating at times .

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

OK, the hooks on the Sexy Dawg I love they are super sharp.

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

Hey Todd,me& you talked a few months back re:u teasin' the Hybrid Hunter & the Thunder Cricket video.So I saw the other day you was strugglin' w/ comments on or off.I can tell you from a guy like me,who is1)unsponsored by any product2)just put my 1st video out today cuz work interferes w/how much I can get on the water&teach myself to edit3)been bass fishin since 9yrs old n I'm 44 &don't know quite yet where I fit in this game..but to me,its Y'all that correspond w/the lil guy like me-who ain't "too PRO" for that;keeps me goin,always gives you and your chan the time of day and quite honestly,Strike King another chance cuz quite honestly I feel their hardware on hard baits went to shit(i change all my hooks,but come on-even line tie split rings rustin out)anyways-just thought I'd try and remember-ize u to the time of the"lil guy"...

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

No problem, I like all the comments, it lets me know what people want and what they are thinking. Lets me know what I need to change and what needs work on

[@brianmowder9376]

Would love to see you do a floating worm video.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Will do

[@delylewoods1682]

Another good video, Thanks. I do have one question; Do you use a different knot for your topwater baits or do you tie the same knot? I heard that a loop knot gives topwater more action.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I tie the same knot, I've never seen it make a difference. To be a totally honest I think a lot of that knot stuff is BS. The rod, bait, and line have a lot to do with it, but the guy behind all that is the biggest factor. If you can get the cadence down you can make a bait do anything.

[@delylewoods1682]

@@toddcastledinefishing5924 Thanks, for your honest... Really like the channel keep it up!!!

[@donprater2754]

Nice!

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Thanks!

[@jeffwillis874]

Good stuff!

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tomhoward3186]

Great video Todd. Don't think I'll see it on Andrew's since you caught most of 'em lol. Can you explain the advantage of short quick pops of the rod vs. longer twitches to get the cadence right? I've had good success with different brands of walking baits on braid, but haven't used the sexy dawg yet. Waiting to use it on Travis in the fall. Thanks in advance.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

There are times I want the bait going fast it really just depends on a lot variables. I will say I've seen it both ways, its hard to believe that at times in really clear water the longer twitches work. At the time we caught them shad were in the area and they wanted something erratic.

[@joshuanewsome5298]

Todd I've got a question about what changes I need to make with my setup, hookset, etc when I'm losing a lot of fish on a particular bait. I've only been bass fishing seriously for about 5 years. I finally fished my first 2 BFLs last weekend and I lost fish both days that would have gotten me a check in both tournaments. I have a lot of confidence in getting bit on a biffle hardhead swing head jig. I love throwing the 3/4 ounce head on hard bottom. My main technique is to just slowly reel that bait on the bottom and keeping contact but I tend to lose a lot of fish with that bait. I throw it on a 7'3" heavy fast action kistler helium and 7:3/1 Shimano Metanium MGL with 18lb sunline sniper. On Saturday I lost a 2.5lber that would have gotten me a check and on Sunday I lost 5-6 in a row with 3 of them being my biggest bites. I almost always lose them the same way. It seems like the first time they jump and open their mouth is when they come off. I was pretty down after the weekend knowing I blew it, but it has since given me a lot of confidence knowing that I had the bites to get paid both days especially after having a terrible practice leading up to these tournaments. I wasn't sure I had any business fishing against this level of competition but know I'm more motivated than ever and my confidence couldn't be higher. Do you have any advice on how to keep these fish from coming off? The 3/4 ounce biffle head is just a huge confidence bait for me in getting bit

[@michaelwillis4532]

This may sound too simplistic but I sharpen my hooks razor sharp. My trailer hook also. They make a swim jig with a swivel head like a barrel swivel concept. My trailer is a 5/0 wide gap. I cut my skirt down and use a 3” Z-craw for my trailer. Just thought I’d share. I know you’re asking Todd for advice but this has worked good for me. Good luck with your tournament career!

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Its the biffle head your throwing. Try throwing the Strike King tungsten swing head. Doesn't really matter about the head, the reason I say the Strike King is that you can put the hook you want to on it. Its interchangeable. I throw a 5/0 Owner Offset Hook. This will make all the difference in the world. The rest of your setup sounds right.

[@joshuanewsome5298]

Thanks. I was wondering if the hook was too big. It’s such a big wire. I’ll try the tungsten version that I can put a smaller wired hook on it. I love that bait. I almost always throw a menace or rage bug on it. Sometimes a big worm. It gets bit and catches all 3 bass species well

[@barrettkeel1361]

Dude being from the Carolinas, a medium heavy cranking rod is the deal for a topwater. 7’3 medium heavy moderate graphite so it gets the snap unlike a glass. Falcon needs a new rod I think 😁

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I'd agree usually, but the snap you can get from the braid.

[@KayleeG0]

How do you feel about adding a red front hook. I have heard they target that red hook and the hook up ratio is better.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I've never seen that to matter tried it years ago, I believe in having good hooks is way more important than the color

[@treysammons4248]

Texoma chrome

[@coltsitton2802]

What are some other bites you like throwing with that SoCal rod?

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I like throwing quite a few topwater with braid on it, smaller whopper ploppers things like that. If you take the braid off and throw fluorocarbon then it more of a medium action rod for crankbaits.

[@coltsitton2802]

Todd Castledine Fishing Maybe they changed it from the one that I have and the one that you have? because mine is a 7”6 heavy moderate fast

[@ryanf1989]

Absolutely love a walking bait

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Me too

[@HookLife]

Topwater is the best. That rod loads nice on those fish? Medium heavy Moderate? Are you throwing 50 or 40 #braid?

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I forgot I was suppose to put my setup in the description. Its a Falcon 7'6 So Cal rod its medium. I like a lighter rod with braid. Braid is 30 or 50 either is fine just a preference. Sunline X Plasma braid.

[@HookLife]

Todd Castledine Fishing appreciate the feedback Todd. Sometimes those little details are the juice. Thanks for sharing man. Stay safe and keep on catching 🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@byronhendrixfishing8393]

Now that I’m watching this the 💡 pops on where was Andrew for Team SMC go to the keys? Lol

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

He had things to do plus he was going to the California Delta to fish something so it interfered.

[@caliyak_fishing]

walking vs popper vs buzz when to throw them, situation I feel confident in buzz but not popper or walking

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I'm the opposite, I'll do a video on this for sure.

[@jigacidal1188]

Appreciate all the great videos and pros pointers. A few videos back you had discussed Owner zo wire treble hooks. Do you prefer the ST 38 or ST 45. I'll be swaping out hooks on crankbaits and spoons. Also the hooks on 6th sense cranks seem pretty good, possibly I'll try those.Thanks

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Kinda depends on the bait, size of fish, cover around, things like that. I throw both but general rule of thumb 45's for bigger bait bigger fish, more cover. I just want a stronger hook.

[@jigacidal1188]

The pic online at Tackle warehouse must be zoomed in on the 38s. They look a little shorter in the shank and thicker wire. Glad you cleared that up. I'll just get a variety and use them as necessary. Thanks again for your time and advice.