What are the best topwater lures for bass fishing?
This is a question we get quite often from our readers and for good reason, topwater fishing is fun.
In fact, topwater bass fishing can be one of the most exciting ways to fish. However, it does involve a little more thought than just picking up any lure and casting it out.
In order to be a successful bass fisherman, you need to choose the right lure for the given situation and you need to use it for how it was designed.
For that reason, in this post, we are going to take a look at some of our favorite lures on the market.
Table of Contents
What are the best topwater lures for bass?
River2Sea Whopper Plopper
One of the most popular topwater lures for bass fishing is without a doubt the River2Sea Whopper Plopper 90.
As you can see from the picture is looks like a spook with a soft prop-like tail. When retrieved the tail is designed to spin, making a “plop” sound and creating a lot of commotion on the surface.
This is exactly what you want in a topwater bait, a lure that makes noise and gets attention.
In fact, many people are calling the whopper plopper a “floating buzzbait”.
The reason for the name is because just like a buzzbait this lure was designed to get attention. However, unlike a buzzbait which sinks, the whopper plopper floats allowing it to be fished in a completely different and unique way that catches big fish.
So if you haven’t tried a whopper plopper I would definitely recommend you check one out.
Booyah Pad Crasher
Next on the list is the BOOYAH Pad Crasher . And I must admit, this is one of my favorites.
Like most frog lures the hooks are not exposed making it 100 % weedless, perfect for throwing it into slop and heavy weeded areas.
The plastic used in the Pad Crasher is perfect for catching bass under these conditions. It is sturdy enough to keep the hooks weedless, yet soft enough so when that big bass strikes you can set the hook.
Another cool feature is the unique shape of the belly. While most frog lures have more of a rounded belly this one has a beveled shape which can make the technique of walking the dog much easier.
It is available in 6 different colors. You simply cannot go wrong with choosing the BOOYAH PAD CRASHER.
(You may also enjoy reading the article Best Topwater Frog)
Lunkerhunt Lunker Frog
If you are looking for the most realistic topwater bait, you can’t go wrong with the Lunkerhunt LF04 Lunker Frog Series 2.5-Inch Croaker Style.
The Lunkerhunt Lunker is a great topwater lure for bass. Like the Booyah Pad Crasher, it too is weedless. The biggest difference you will find between the two is the size and the look.
The Lunker Frog is a little bigger with a round belly. As far as the look goes, when designing this lures they did everything possible to make it look and act like a real frog.
First, it looks exactly like a frog you would find on a lake. Next, when you cast it into the water it doesn’t sit on top of the water like most other topwater frogs, but it sits down more into the water, just the head and eyes are exposed, much like a frog.
The Lunker frog also has natural looking legs that will extend and retract on the retrieve.
Booyah Buzz
You’ve probably heard it before, but I am going to say it again, Buzzbaits catch big bass. With that being said, it comes as little surprise that the next lure on the list is the BOOYAH Buzz
One of the things that makes a topwater lure so effective is its ability to disrupt the surface of the water. This disturbance if done correctly can turn an inactive fish into attack mode.
While there are many different styles of buzzbaits, the Booyah Buzz is unique in that it has a “clacker” attached alongside the buzzbait blade.
This clacker connects with the buzzbait’s blade and creates an audible click on every revolution. Thus creating the maximum surface disruption, perfect for getting the fish’s attention.
Strike King Premier
If you enjoy fishing with buzzbaits you will love fishing with the Strike King Buzzbait – The Double Take. It doesn’t have the clacker like the Booyah Buzz, but it does make up for it.
It has not one, but two buzzbait blades.
These rotating blades help to give the lure an extra lift and it also helps to add to the overall surface disruption that is all so important when fishing on the water’s surface.
In addition, two blades make it much easier to slow roll as it helps to keep it on the surface rather than sinking like other topwater baits tend to do.
The Buzzbait Double Take is available in three different colors, black, white and super white.
Rebel Bumble Bug
Have you ever seen a horse fly struggling to get out of the water only to be eaten by a fish? That is exactly what Rebel Bumble Bee is designed to imitate, a struggling bug on the surface of the water. Work it right and you could catch yourself a big smallmouth.
The best way to work the Reble Bumble Bee is to retrieve it with a snap and pause the action. If fish aren’t taking the bait at the surface, it also has a lip on the end and can be used as a crankbait going as deep as 2 feet.
One thing to keep in mind when fishing with this bait is that it is an ultralight lure weighing in at 7/64 ounces. In order to get the most out of this lure, it is suggested to use an ultralight rod and spinning reel with light line.
The Rebel Bumble Bug comes in 6 different life-like color patterns, the Bumble Bee, the Horse Fly, the Hornet, the June Bug and the Fire Bug.
Rebel Crickhopper
Very similar to the Bumble Bug is the Rebel Crickhopper. No doubt you have seen fish feeding on grasshoppers caught on the surface, or you may have even used grasshoppers as live bait. This lure is designed to imitate a grasshopper struggling on top of the water.
The more struggle, the better the chances of getting a big bite. With that being said, be sure to fish it in a way that it seems like an easy meal for hungry bass.
The Crickhopper comes in 6 different color patterns. Each pattern representing a different grasshopper or cricket based on the season. Make sure to select the right one based on your area and the season you will be fishing.
The Rebel Crickhopper comes in a Popper version such as the Rebel Crickhopper Popper.
Generally speaking the bigger the bait, the bigger the fish, with that in the mind the Crickhopper also released a Rebel Bighopper which is a bigger grasshopper and thus a more tempting offer to smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Arbogast Hula Popper
A great way to get the attention of fish is with a popper and few poppers are as effective as the Arbogast Hula. The front is made with a huge cutout. This was designed so that when the lure is being retrieved and you give it a little twitch the lure makes a blurp sound.
This blurp sound gets attention and is a great way to attract big fish. One thing that makes this particular lure effective is the skirt.
Many pro anglers have said that the best way to work topwater lures is to be patient, work them slowly and use pop and pause the action. Many times the fish will bite on the pause.
With the Arbogast Hula Popper when you make the pause the skirt continues to move every so slightly making it irresistible to fish. The Hula Popper is available in 11 different colors.
Rapala X-Rap Prop
Another great option to add to our list of the best topwater fishing lures for bass is the Rapala X-Rap Prop. This lure has a small minnow design with a single nose and tail prop.
When this X-Rap Prop is retrieved the props spin in opposite directions creating a churning, spitting, and gurgling noise that bass simply can not resist.
It can be retrieved, bringing it straight back to the boat, or it can be retrieved with a snap and pause action.
An added feature, when making a pause with this lure the tail drops down making the hook up easier.
Heddon Super Spook Jr
You will not be disappointed with the purchase of the Heddon Super Spook. The best way to use this spook is to make it wag back and forth, a technique known as “walking the dog”.
Walking the dog is a great way to attract fish as it imitates a wounded baitfish. At first, it may take some practice getting down the technique, but once you have learned it this lure has proven itself to be very effective in bringing in big bass.
Couple the action with a small rattle that creates a deep knock and you are going to get the attention of some big fish.
Megabass I Jack
The Megabass I-Jack is a wake bait. As its name implies it is designed to create a V wake as it is being retrieved. Unlike other wake baits that stay on the surface of the water, I-Jack is unique in that it is made to run right under the surface which creates a nice wake.
Another added feature is its great sound chamber with one ball in the center. As this lure is retrieved it wobbles back and forth and makes a great knocking sound.
Arbogast Jitterbug
The Arbogast Jitterbug has a double cupped lip in the frong. This lip makes a great popping sound on the retrieve. It also gives it a side to side swimming motion that attracts bass.
This is a favorite among many when it comes to topwater fishing lures as it has been effective in catching fish for so many years. Another reason many like using this lure is its simplicity.
Simply cast and retrieve the jitterbug, it’s really as easy as that. The Jitterbug is available in seven different colors.
Spro Rat Swimbait
The next on our list might be a strange one to many, but it has been proven to catch giant bass. It is the Spro Rat Swimbait.
This is a single jointed hard plastic bait that has an awesome action to it. It features a square bill in the front which helps to keep the front end just below the surface of the water while at the same time the back end is above the surface.
This design, much like a wake bait, creates that V-wake that bass can’t resist. Couple that with a very lifelike rat tail and you have yourself a good topwater lure for bass.
Savage Gear Topwater Duck
You probably have seen those videos on YouTube where a largemouth bass comes up and hammers an unsuspecting duckling.
Yes, ducks too can be a tasty treat for largemouth bass.
So the next time you are fishing topwater, why not capitalize on this opportunity and throw Savage Gear’s Topwater Duck.
As you can see from the picture it has a very lifelike design. However, one of the best features is that the feet spin as you retrieve it. This creates a bubble trail drawing in the giants.
It is available in two different sizes, 4 1/4 inches and the 6 inch and a few different colors.
Booyah Popping Frog
Are you looking for a noisy topwater lure? If so, you will love the Booyah Popping Frog.
The popping frog is the perfect combination of a frog and a popper. It is shaped like a frog, but with a small hole in the front, designed to make noise and draw attention.
As we know, bass love noise and commotion on the surface, especially at night.
Simply cast it out and bring it back with a jerk and pause retrieve. On each retrieval, the lure will give off a popping sound drawing bass out from cover.
Jackall All Pompadour
Another noisy topwater lure designed to get attention is the Jack All Pompadour.
As we will soon learn, everything about the Pompadour is designed to make noise and that is not a bad thing.
First, let’s talk about the wings. It has two metal wings located on each side. As it is being retrieved the metal wings giving it a crawling action.
Imitating some kind of animal struggling on the water.
It is supposed to imitate a duck, bat, frog? I don’t know, it is hard to tell, but what it does really well is it creates a ton commotion.
In addition, to the metal wings, it is equipped with a loud rattle and a metal prop on the back.
So as you can see, the Jack All Pompadour appeals to all the fish’s senses and is begging to come up and take it.
Rapala Floating Minnow
One thing that drives bass crazy is when they see a dying baitfish. It was for that reason that many years ago the Rapala Floating Minnow was designed.
In fact, it was with that initial design that helped Rapala to become famous. Does it still have what it take to be the best topwater lure for bass fishing?
Yes. It is just as effective now as it was back in the day.
The simplest way to fish it is also the most effective. Simply cast it out and bring it back with a jerk and pause action. This perfectly imitates a dying baitfish and if there are fish nearby it will entice a strike.
Keep in mind when the water is cold to fish it slower since bass are not as active. During the summer months, you can fish it faster.
Available in 5 different colors. Try to match the hatch when fishing the floating minnow.
Final Thoughts…
Yes, fishing baits on the water surface can allow for a fun day out on the water. Check out any of the aforementioned baits on the list and you will without have a successful fishing day
What do you think are the best topwater lures for bass? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
For further reading on how to improve your topwater bass action check out the following links:
When to use topwater lures for Bass
Top Water Fishing for Smallmouth
3 Tips For Catching Bass In The Fall
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