I personally don’t fish with them all that much. I know some people swear by them as a first choice in almost any conditions. What are your favorite topwaters and why? Do you notice any difference in hookup ratios versus typical bucktails/jerkbaits/ crankbaits? Where and under what conditions are they most successful?
a kitty on a quick strik rig 
Those do work pretty well, although I’ve found brighly colored Parakeets work even better.
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Those do work pretty well, although I’ve found brighly colored Parakeets work even better.
To be honest, my favorite top water is the “Top Raider”, black and orange.
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To be honest, my favorite top water is the “Top Raider”, black and orange.
I agree with that!!!!
Basic “go-to” tie on for a search tool. Good hook up ratios as well.
The Giant Jackpot has probably accounted for more fish for me than any other top-water. However, that bait has accounted for me loosing my religion more times than I care to share. 
The Jackpot has a great “sound”, but the hooking percentage is extremely weak.
I did make a nice investment in a handfull of Weagels, but treally haven’t put the screws to them yet to give a yea-nea…….I know some folks say they are better than sliced bread, but I’ll believe about 10% of that “hype”.
The topwater bucktail (MuskyBuster Top Water) is a great, calm water bait. I believe that the front “prop”, with the tail hair is a big factor for hooking percentages.
Weagles do look awesome in the water and work flawlessly. I have yet to hook a fish on one and I’ve used the thing all of two hours. 
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Weagles do look awesome in the water and work flawlessly. I have yet to hook a fish on one and I’ve used the thing all of two hours.
That should have been long enough to get 2-3 fish in the boat
black and orange top raider for me too. im bummed i had to retire my old faithful last year 
lit um up on sabaskong a couple years ago, what a blast! pacmaker next, jackpot or doc third. tricky having to wait to set the hook though…..
fritz
1. Weagle or other WTD.
2. Pacemaker. One bright, one black.
3. Creeper. One Slam’r for calm, Wave Walker for waves.
4. Globes. Musky Buster and BS Willy.
5. Low Rider.
6. Hawg Wabbler.
7. Stomper
8. Top Raider.
9. Boogerman.
They all work. I like topwaters day and night.
How about Frogzilla fished through the reeds. Or a jitter bug real late or early. I only get up to LOTW once a year but these have been best for me.
Howz your hook-up percentage on Frogzilla? It seems like it would be low with that single hook.
Steve;
How shallow are the fish?
You might want to try something slow, like a dog walker?
Most importantly, when it comes to a sighted fish, is the location of the cast.
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Steve;
How shallow are the fish?
You might want to try something slow, like a dog walker?Most importantly, when it comes to a sighted fish, is the location of the cast.
Most of the fish are in 2-5 fow in current breaks. They like to occupy those same mid summer locations as the bigger smallies like to camp out on…. 
Steve, I’d try a top raider, or super top raider before a dog walker due to hooking percentage, but generaly anything that creates some noise and disturbance. 
Top Raider has been the best for me as well. Also have done well with the creeper, hog wobbler, jackpot, viper, and doc. I should also mention that topwater lures have sucked this year so far except for two days, which the fish went nuts. I have not caught many this year but the guys that have been nailing them this year have not caught crap on top water, all on lures below the surface.
Anyone ever work a Smitty’s? I’ve heard them recommended on some particular WI waters for particular times of year. I found some for sale and like a couple of the colors, price is nice, but I don’t know anyone that has any experience with them. Should I pick up a couple or not?
Smitty is a nice choice for an in-line top water (when you don’t want a walk-the-dog style). The only downside I’ve found is the propeller sometimes gets stuck or doesn’t spin at slower speeds. But overall its a good one!
HEy Kid, Have you ever tried any of the fine products that Holcombe tackle puts out like the Low Rider. That thing really throws the water and its really loud even when there is wave action. 
Personally, I have caught more fish on the hawgwobbler and creeper than a topraider, but all three of them travel in more or less a straight line. I also do better with bucktails and cranks.
I have a friend who uses a jackpot exclusively and gets lots of blowups during the early duckling stage.
Also think that those types of walk the dog type lures seem to work better if you are a good jerk thrower/retriever. Anybody else seem to see the correlation. Good luck with the topwaters!!!
Mark
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