Top water hybrids

[blacknoseddace]

Would appreciate some info on tackle and lure choices for top water hybrids below Truman Dam. I understand distance casting is important to reach feeding fish so I would imagine the right tackle and line is important.

[slab slinger]

If you want to get crazy on hybrid equipment theres a red headed younger fella that builds rods just for what you are wanting. He was working at the bait shop on the road in. He builds custom inshore blank rods from 7' to 9' And verious actions. Ive seen him send a spook farther than the catfish guys using 6oz sinkers. Hes the hybrid guro below the dam. If hes not at the bait shop then he'll be fishing the tail water up by the fence at daylight.

Baits...The oldtimers sware by anything bone with a red head. I like the Bommer BADDONK-A-DONK. In same color and just bone. Spooks are deadly also. The guy i mentioned earlier sholed me a bait he mods and its awsome. He cuts down a super spook and somehow glues it back together and adds BBs in it for weight. Wouldnt tell me the process but was glad to sell me one. I used his BB trick on the bommers by drilling a hole and adding them works great. Hes also deadly with a big spoon later in the mornings when they go deep. Hybrids are all about the current seams. If you can read the swirls and currents and find the seams your on them. Good luck. Top water bites best at daylight.

[blacknoseddace]

Thanks for the great info. I'll watch for the guru.

[Evolution]

Hybrids are usually a hit or miss and usually comes down to a lot of luck, right spot (East or West side), and water gauge level. If you get into any topwater action, there are usually some hybrids mixed in. When it comes to lures, I usually prefer bigger lures to weed out the smaller fishes. I've gone away from spooks and have started fishing lures that these fishes have never seen. The last few years have been up and down for me but I remember when I first started fishing truman, the whites/hybrids would start boiling at the fence and worked their way down and repeat this action for a period of time. Everyone got into topwater action when this happened and then when back to crappie fishing until they started again. LOL.

[slab slinger]

Still a littleearly for the top water bite to blow up. June has been my best TW month on the hybrids but everyones prob got their own fav time. Its mainly all about generation release or high water spilling over spillway. If they're discharging alot of water the bit will be good on the hybrids. Good luck. It'll take ya a few trips to figure them out but when it all comes together its a blast.

[slab slinger]

If ya gotta boat they are good on TW on lake side of dam along the old levy or road bed or what ever it was at one time. You'll See the boats stacked up on it when it good.

[blacknoseddace]

Yep, I have put in on that side and caught crappie. Did see a young lady catch a big hybrid there on bait. I will try that side again. I think that is what they call the "wier." It's halfway across the dam in about 20 feet depth or so right?

[Wahoo61]

Cloudy days are best. Pick what top water bait you are going to use and match that weight to the rod. Line, I always use braid but I would not go with anything below 15 lb. Lures, Spooks, Miro Lure topwaters, Vixen style topwaters are good. Colors are chartreuse, bone, white and red, or a smoke/clear body and chartreuse or blue head. I use either a 7ft ml St. Croix or a bass rod. I also have a 10 1/2 foot salmon rod I use but it is harder to work the top water bait. I would also take some husky jerk type baits if they are not hitting on top. During the week is less crowded and first light and just before sundown are also usually good. Have fun.

[Wahoo61]

Water temp is only 60 below the dam right now. I think it is a little early for the great top water bite. But they will come up on overcast days or early/late.