B.A.S.S./Ronnie Moore
Besides being one of the most fun techniques out there, topwater fishing is a great way to catch big bass. Brandon Card believes that a walking bait, popper and prop bait are all unique tools for specific times of year to help him compete on the Bassmaster Elite Series. He is also not afraid to throw them very early in the year and late in the year when many anglers have put them away for the season.
When, Where and a “Magic Window” for Topwater
Topwater baits work well from spring to fall and especially when the water is 60 degrees or above. Each of these types of topwater baits can be worked a variety of ways, around many types of cover and in open water.
There is a time of year when Card believes you can have some of the best days of topwater fishing and likely be the only one on the lake using it. “Many anglers put the topwaters down once the water cools down to around 60-degrees in the fall," he began. "I have had some excellent topwater fishing with water down into the low 50’s."
He said this is especially true of smallmouth bass and he feels like the fish sense their time to feed on top is limited. “I think people put it away too early and miss some of the best topwater fishing of the year," said Card.
Walking Baits
Walking baits are one of the most popular styles of topwater baits and Card’s favorite style of bait. “The 3DB Pencil is my number one topwater bait and the one I use the majority of the year,” he said. This is the bait that helped him finish 2nd place at the Bassmaster Elite Series BASSfest on Lake Texoma, Okla.
“I will walk this bait around shallow cover and in open water anytime the bass are feeding on shad and other baitfish,” he said.
He likes this particular bait because of how easy it walks and also because of it’s unique sound. “It’s not as loud as some baits on the market, its not silent, but it’s just a different sound," said the Tennessee pro. "It also casts like a bullet and lets me make really, really long casts."
Poppers
Card prefers a popper right after the bass are done spawning and he believes the month after they spawn is meant for poppers. “This time of year they are still shallow and often guarding fry so that is great for fishing a popper,” he said.
He likes the Yo-Zuri 3DB Popper is his choice for these situations and he believes it will “walk the dog” just as easily as it will fish like a standard popper. “It has a little longer body and really amazed me at how well you can walk it," he claimed. "This adds some more action and expands where you can use it."
Prop Baits
The prop bait is a specialty tool for Card and he prefers it anytime the bass are just about to spawn, right after they spawn and then again when the bluegill are on bedding.
“I’ll fish it around shallow targets like docks and grasslines, but it will really work just about anywhere bass would hide, including shady areas and next to docks," he said. "A prop bait is a great tool for fishing around targets when the bass are shallow and feeding on spawning bluegill."
His prop of choice is a Yo-Zuri 3DB Prop and he credits its casting ability as one of the main reasons he likes it so much. “It’s a little shorter bait and casts great and is easier to place in small spots next to cover," he said. "Also, since it has just one prop on the back of the bait, it won’t wrap your line around the prop like those with a front prop.”
He fishes with a quick rip, followed by a pause. “I’ll vary between how hard I rip the bait and also how long I will let it sit," he stated. "The key is to get that prop moving to create some extra action and noise."
Rod/Reel/Line
To simplify things, Card uses the same exact setup for all of these topwater baits. A 7’ Medium Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0, Revo MGX reel and 30lb Spiderwire UltraCast braided line. He switches to the 6’6” rod if he needs to be able to cast under brush and shoreline objects.
Topwater Color Selection
When it comes to colors, Card is as simple as they come. “I like the bone and sexy shad colors when it is cloudy and any of the prism colors when it is sunny," he said. "Those prism colors create a bunch of flash."
Walking baits, poppers and prop baits all have a time and place. By gaining confidence in each one and knowing when and where to throw them you can have topwater success for much of the year.
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