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

[Sore Thumbs]

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.

Try fishing a Topwater frog like a Spro Bronzeye or Snag Proof. You have to wait even longer. It's nerve racking but also as fun as it gets.

[Sore Thumbs]

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.

I couldn't agree more or say it any better than that. The only thing I could add is that I love to throw a Fluke. Shad patterns seem to work awesome at the Rock.

[skeeter]

If I'm throwing a Spook from the front of the boat and a lot of fish are missing it or following without striking the guy in the back usually picks up a fish ( maybe it's the same one, maybe not ?? ) on a blade of about the same color. Works pretty often but sometimes a Rat-L-Trap beats the blade. Many times just changing the rhythm or speed of the Spook or stopping and starting it erratically works too. If you're around structure like pole timber, try half-stepping it. Drives 'em nuts.

[mrgungho]

I normally try a different color first. Then a different size if I have it. Then maybe a diferent type of topwater bait all together if that still doesn't work.

Basically I start with the largest Spook I have usually in a light color, if that's not getting it done then I go darker color, same size. If that isn't working I'll go down a size and back to light color then to dark color. If that is still not getting the response i'm looking for, I will change baits all together and try 3 or 4 different color Flukes, a Buzzbait, a Torpedo, a Hula Popper...whatever else I have on me.

I would say that whatever you do just make sure to consistently work the bait the same way time and time again. Whether it's my ole' favorite 4 jerks and a short pause..2 jerks and a long pull then a short pause...whatever. Think about it like morse code and try out different retrieves. I think that figuring out the rhythm that's going to work on any particular day is one of the most important factors when fishing, no matter what lure you are using.

[BolivarBasser]

This may not be an exact answer to the question, but I always make sure I have a trailer hook on my topwaters, esp. buzzbaits. I would say at least 30% of my fish caught on topwaters are caught on the trailer. Red 1/0 OShaughnessys work great.

[zipstick]

keep the same cadence, always use a feather on the back of a bait unless it absolutely kills the action. During the spawn, this thing happens more because when you leave a bass' territory, it often loses interest in fending off predator.

If it's a feeding type situation, I find more of these follows occur when the sun is up a little and the water is usually slick. The better the look a bass gets at your lure, the more often they bird dog it. Change to a subtler color with less noise. If a waking redfin is too noisy and big, then go down to an old Rapala or Rogue type topwater. They will wake also, and are much subtler. Last, the follow up baits are good suggestions. Be very quick with it!

[BrianS]

I have a little tip that sometimes works. Take the front hook(s) off your spook. Tie about a 3-4 foot leader to your back hook and tie a small gitzit, maribough jig etc or 2 to the leader. Now your spook wont work very well at all however the fish will often hit that "trailer" before they will commit to you topwater. I saw Dick Collier literally kill 'em doing that one day. I think that was Dick. Thats been years ago.