Topwater Followers....how To Get Them To Commit?

[motoman]

All this talk about throwing topwater had me thinking. (yes scary, I know)

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I've read multiple posts about people throwing topwater, and they have lots of fish follow the bait; but don't commit. What has everyone found to be the best way to get those following fish, to commit on a retrieve? (if there even is a good way?)

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Feel free to add any other thoughts to the thread too.

[Jason Essary]

Great question. I had a 3.5lb smallie follow my redfin yesterday so close when I stopped it he bumped it with his nose. funniest thing ive seen in awhile. after the bump, he backed off and started to go deep. Gave two hard jerks and started waking again and he came back and sucked it in. This is not the norm, I miss more than connect and dont have good luck with followers.

One thing I like to do is when the waters clear and calm, once the bait gets within 10' of the boat or closer, I get it out fast. My thoughts are followers wont come to the boat and spook.

[eric1978]

It always depends for me, but in my experience, stopping the bait is usually the worst thing you can do. I've always had more luck with followers if I give a couple of fast, erratic twitches that just turns a bass' brain into a knotted pile of confused goo, and they can't help but attack even if they don't want to. Slowing down and stopping gives them more time to decide it's not what they want.

[Quillback]

Seems like the worst thing you can do is jerk it when they blow up on it, it's almost a reflex action for me, I try and tell myself to not jerk if I don't feel a fish and just keep retrieving it because they will usually come back for it if they miss it. There can also be several fish at once trying to grab it, the second hit you get after missing that first one could likely be a different fish. This spring when I'm in clear water whenever I get a fish on on the topwater it's not unusual to have 4 or 5 of his buddies follow him to the boat and try and grab the lure out of his mouth. If I could just keep my arm from yanking that pole on a blowup I could catch more fish. Just can't keep from giving it the yank.

[fishinwrench]

The first thing to do as soon as you notice a follower is to slowly squat down, if you can see them they can see you (and your movements) too.

If you are getting multiple follows without a strike change baits or colors.

If you are in a tournament situation where you really need the fish to bite, having a plastic worm or Senko type bait ready for a followup shot (when they turn away) will usually result in a take.

[denjac]

Seems like the worst thing you can do is jerk it when they blow up on it, it's almost a reflex action for me, I try and tell myself to not jerk if I don't feel a fish and just keep retrieving it because they will usually come back for it if they miss it. There can also be several fish at once trying to grab it, the second hit you get after missing that first one could likely be a different fish. This spring when I'm in clear water whenever I get a fish on on the topwater it's not unusual to have 4 or 5 of his buddies follow him to the boat and try and grab the lure out of his mouth. If I could just keep my arm from yanking that pole on a blowup I could catch more fish. Just can't keep from giving it the yank.

I always keep the spook, buzz bait ect in the corner of my eye when retriving. I dont watch it directly.That seems to help me.

[dtrs5kprs]

Sudden change in direction works sometimes. Not meaning a jerk/stop/twitch, but a hard left/right, if you can do it. Think this is why you sometimes get a blow-up boatside, slash at a grub/jig/blade boatside. Bait makes a sudden directional change when you yank it out of the lake.

Hey, at least they are fun to watch. Prefer that to the other kind of sight fishing.

[motoman]

Thanks guys, these are awesome tips! Great read! I've always been a fan of the slowly squating down when you have a follower, and the lack of eye contact too.

[dtrs5kprs]

I always keep the spook, buzz bait ect in the corner of my eye when retriving. I dont watch it directly.That seems to help me.

I can run those baits, or a pop-r / prop bait and not look at it, wait for the load. But I can't quit watching the fin to make sure it is waking right. Drives me nuts.

Pretty sure if I get into any kind of yoga up front I'll end up getting fished out by Water Patrol.

[Bill Babler]

Wrench made a good reply. One thing to remember however, and this is very important. If you are fishing any derby, that I know of or any that I have ever fished in the last 30 yrs. Here is something you had better remember. You cannot have a bait in the water and cast another bait out. It is fishing with multiple rods and that is not permitted in any Bass fishing tournament I have ever heard of. Even if you forget and your lure is hanging in the water off the side of the boat and you make a different presentation with another rod, you are disqualified, for the day.

You make a cast with a spook, the fish misses it. You reel it in fast, and grab a grub, a worm or a fluke or a sinko and throw it at the swirl. You look down and your spook is hanging off the side of the boat and the back hook is just barley touching the water. YOU JUST DISQUALIFIED YOURSELF FOR THE DAY. If it is a Buddy event, he is DQed. also.

It is the most minor of infractions, and not ment to cheat, but it is a rule, and when they ask you if you have broken any of the tournament rules, you have. No baits on different rods can be in the water at the same time, fishing them or not.

Great idea however if you are just out having fun.

Good Luck