It’s topwater time! These little tricks will get you bites when nothing is working! We all love throwing topwater but some anglers just seem to have a knack for catching bigger fish than the rest. Tim is one of those anglers. Today he’s breaking down some of the subtle tricks he uses to out fish everyone around him with a topwater.
From the number of trebles on your bait, to bait modifications, to bait color, subtle differences can be everything. Tim uses specific baits in different conditions and is very intentional about his color selection as well. Don’t think topwater color matters? It does!
Below you’ll find links to some of Tim’s favorite topwater baits. We’ve also included the components he uses to modify them, along with great topwater combos from high end to budget friendly. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*HARD BAITS…*
•Evergreen Shower Blows SB 105: https://bit.ly/2zIkqUH
Colors: Ghost Threadfin Shad, Bone, Full Metal
•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE
Colors: Megabass Sexy Shad, Wagin Hasu 2, White Python
•Jackall PikuPiku: https://bit.ly/399wl59
Colors: Lively Wakasagi, Glitter Secret Bait
*FOLLOW UP BAITS…*
•Zoom Super Fluke: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H
Colors: Electric Shad, Smokin Shad, Chartreuse
•Yamamoto 5″ Senko: https://bit.ly/2axAmNS
Colors: Green Pumpkin Black, Natural Shad
*FROGS…*
Popping– Jackall Gavacho: https://bit.ly/2L7KsWS
Colors: Chart Strike Gill, Gold Gill
Walking– River2Sea Bully Wa 2: https://bit.ly/2axyR2a
Colors: Little Allen, TW Bluegill, Ghost
Heavy Cover– Savage Gear DC Walker: https://bit.ly/2VVjRVl
Colors: Olive Chartreuse, Shad, Gill
Finesse– Jackall Kaera: https://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3
Colors: Glitter Hasu, Glitter Gill
*BAIT MODIFICATIONS…*
Rattles– Skirts Unlimited 20 Pack: https://bit.ly/3xro58S
Weight– Xzone Tungsten 1/8 oz: https://bit.ly/40NDHjT
*FEATHERED HOOK UPGRADES…*
•Owner Tournament Trailer: https://bit.ly/2dJH8V6
Size: 4, 2
•Gamakatsu Feathered Treble: https://bit.ly/2Ii4IXO
Size: 4, 2
*UPGRADED TREBLES…*
Stock Replacement- Gamakatsu Round Bend Treble: https://bit.ly/3oSXVXp
Size: 2, 4
Strong Hook– Owner 3X ST–56 Treble: https://bit.ly/2cVg7xW
Size: 2, 4
Slick Coating– Hayabusa TBL 930 NRB Coated: https://bit.ly/3qBuXkB
Size: 2, 4
*TIM’S MAIN TOPWATER COMBO…*
Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer Z Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY
Model: 7′ Medium Regular
Reel– Daiwa Steez SV TW: https://bit.ly/3wXZ9Jb
Line– Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader– Sufix Advance (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix
*TIM’S FROG COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano Expride 7’3″ Extra Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB
Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
*BUDGET WALKING BAIT COMBO…*
Rod– St. Croix Bass X 7’1″ Medium Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs
Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT: https://bit.ly/35hugfH
Line– Sufix 832 (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader– Sufix Advance (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix
*BUDGET FROG COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano SLX A 7’2″ Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO
Reel– Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): https://bit.ly/2BRTYL8
Line– Power Pro Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b
*TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)*
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
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*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY… *
Boat– Skeeter FXR 21: https://bit.ly/43GvGQh
Motor– Yamaha VMAX SHO 250 HP: https://bit.ly/3xolFv0
Trolling Motor– Minn Kota Ultrex Quest: https://bit.ly/41RErpY
Electronics– Humminbird Apex 13: https://bit.ly/3pdaK1q
Anchors– Minn Kota Raptors: https://bit.ly/3iMUrEJ
Camera– GoPro Hero 12: https://bit.ly/3MwQToy
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…*
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: https://bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite Rod Cover: https://bit.ly/3UewJEx
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: https://bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3U9y4cl
Favorite Net: https://bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#topwater #fishing #frogfishing
Shower blows 105 has been killer for me this summer.
Another great video Tim – keep it up!
Also Top 5 top water baits is not ENOUGH! lol we need a top 10
Hey Tim! Hey Matt! Just wondering when we’ll get a video dedicated to hair jigs?🤣 hairrrrr jiggy jiggy jiggy jiggy
Hair jig vid??
I’m still waiting on a dedicated video on hair jigs😭
Not even joking or hating, tons of you tubers been giving the same tips over and over and over smh it’s like pick any channel to get the same tips again it’s getting old 😅
@Tim from TacticalBassin. Please stop saying that about GIANT DOG X. The name GIANT doesn’t apply to the size of the bait LOL. When Ito named this bait he was referring to the size of fish it’s going to catch. GIANTS!!!!
Tim, Matt, Thank you for all the great info over the years. Come fish Mohave out West one day!
5 inch senko is my god send for bass. Haven’t hit on a fluke yet. And the Yamamoto Tamatanukis
Do you use a leader normally?
Does anyone know how to straighten out the feathers on the the treble hooks when they get all bent and messed up in your utility boxes?
Well… Im not a guy…but liked the tips🤦🏻♀️
I actually just finished putting together a BFS topwater box. A lot of the same baits…just smaller. Evergreen 77.7, baby dog-x, baby pop-x, plopper 60, piku piku, and the micro pompadour. What line/leader do you use with a BFS topwater?
I love three treble hook top waters but man I hate having to dig those hooks out of the guts or faces of fish. It's gotta hurt em so I just smaller dual hook top waters now.
Love the gavacho frog🔥
I actually tried to trim the legs and this really works well. But I have say the rattles in the 🐸 frogs is genius, mind blowing tips 🤔.
Great job Tim, and I like the idea of trimming the leg on one side shorter,never heard of that before ❤
I accidentally bought a silent walking bait but it walked so easily that I kept on using it and it has now become my go to walking bait around me I think so many people throw them that a silent splashing walking bait like that is so good! Also even though it’s “silent” the hooks slashing on the body I’m sure makes noise too
No one ever really mentions this. But frogs are alrways advertised with these elaborate paint jobs. But doesn't the bass only see the bottom most of the time?
Another great BIG topwater…ABT Dirty Donkey…got me a 4 & 6 lb'er back 2 back casts on that big bait!
Can't recall the name at the monent, but the newer frog by Berkley is freakin' awesome
Just started throwing top water in the creeks. It really brings out the biggest fish. I think you recommended the Rover98 in one of your videos and it’s been fireee
So many great baits are no longer being made. Nip i Diddy Johnny Rattler so on and so forth. So many to try now a days. The oversized 3 hook spook is a secret killer on Florida lakes. Scares most fisherman off because of its size
Awesome info ! Hands down my favorite part is at 8:11 – 8:30, man I can’t wait for a day like that!
I had the biggest bass of my life 2ft from my boat come clear out of the water and throw my hook yesterday and I was sick because I was getting ready to grab her and she threw my hook, I was throwing a swim jig!
Gotta love top water for river smallies. Lucky crafts Sammy 65’s and bevy pencil walker’s can get them to hit in the middle of day on blue bird sky’s. Whopper ploppers used to do the same, but they’ve seen them to much where I’m at now.
lol watching kids fight fish is always so goofy looking!
Great video Tim going to try those top water baits today on my fishery 👍🏻
Love watching your son fight that fish! Textbook. And man is he grinding!
The PikuPiku is a sleeper! Giant Dog X on order.
Hey i live in quebec canada and i havent gotten a five pounder (largemouth) yet my pb is 3.9lbs how can i fix that
Summer whats that😂 water temps are 10 degrees behind up here in MN. 65-68 still. Im ready for summer bass!
I’ll try this on Dale Hollow this weekend.