(Update w/pics) Topwaters for Stream Smallmouth

[TroutRinger]

What are your favorite topwaters lures and techniques for smallmouth in rivers and creeks? I have been a tube bait fisherman probably 95% of the time, and they have always treated me well. Recently, I've been exploring topwaters as I keep reading all your reports and often see them mentioned. And for the sake of broadening the conversation, let's include near-surface lures like spinner baits. 

A couple specific questions:

What, if anything, do you do differently when fishing current vs a slow/still pool?

Does time of day play a factor like it does with largemouth in lakes where generally early morning or late evening are the usual topwater times?

***UPDATE***

I've been out three times on two small streams in the last two weeks to try some topwaters. It has been quite successful. About a third of the fish were caught on a Rebel Pop-r style bait and the rest were caught on a ($13) River2Sea Whopper Plopper. My friends were still catching good numbers on the trusty bitsy tubes so I think part of the success was just good fishing conditions, but it is still nice not having to worry about snagging on stuff on the bottom. I have to say that I do really enjoy the whopper plopper despite the price tag. You get the water covering ability of a buzzbait with the fish catching benefits of treble hooks. 

[ollie]

Two words - Whopper Plopper.  That is all you need!

[Flysmallie]

You are going to get a lot of different opinions but at least you are going to give it a shot. Nothing better than a nice fish coming up and busting a topwater bait.

In water with some current in it I like a WTD bait. I don't get too fancy. Spook Jr. or KVD Sexy Dawg. 

If it's slower water or they seem to want something a bit slower then it's a Chug Bug. Period.

That's all I carry. Couple of chug bugs, couple of Sexy Dawgs, and a spook or two. I've tried a bunch others WTD lures and they sure are pretty but none of them have out fished a spook so I see no reason to spend more.

Color? Baitfishish. Yes that is a word, I just made it up. I hear the talk about this color if it's sunny or this color if it's cloudy but a baitfish struggling on the top is going to look the same no matter what the weather is like. If they are interested then they will find it.

And don't discount buzzbaits. They can be a pretty good time. 

Time of day? Yes there are times that are better than others but the fish will tell you that. You can't base it off of the time of day or time of year. It's best just to always have one tied on and ready to go if you get the notion to throw it. See a good lay, or something chasing. Toss it in there and see what happens. Might be surprised.

I caught the fish below back in June. It was middle of the day, probably 2 or 3 pm. Hot. You can see that big dirt bank in the background. Slow water. Nothing around. Fish destroyed that spook. It happens more than you would think. 

 

I won't bring up spinnerbaits because even though they can be fished next to the surface it's a whole other game. Like floating worms, square bills, jerk baits, streamers...................

[snagged in outlet 3]

Tiny torpedo with the belly painted chartreuse. 

[ColdWaterFshr]

B-2 buzzbait by Accent.  Creeks, rivers, time of day, makes no difference.  Put a soft plastic curly tail worm on the hook.  Much prefer it over WTD lures or other topwaters that use treble hooks.  Unless you like dealing with snags, cleaning moss off hook, carrying pliers to do surgery . . . I avoid treble hooks.

[Pat Magee]

I typically always have a fluke tied on because it can do a little bit of everything and always produce in creeks.  I absolutely love when they get crushed when I am high sticking them around cover.  I can even WTD with a fluke on the surface and they handle current quite well.  

When I say I typically have a fluke tied on it is often because I hate retying all the time and usually stick with my confidence bait.  If I have multiple rods or am fishing from my kayak, a WTD (any will do) or buzzbait will always be tied on at least one rod.  I have yet to have an ALL day fishing trip with only topwater tied on but promised myself I would try it soon.  The people that stick it out always seem to do pretty well over the course of a day.

[Guest]

 

 

Deleted.

[TroutRinger]

Thanks for the suggestions. It's funny, other than the somewhat new/unique baits like the B-2 and whopper plopper ($13!!!), I already have most of the lures mentioned but really only use them for largemouth on LOZ. And even then, I've been too lazy to get up and fish in the morning lately so I rarely fish topwater. 

This last weekend, I was on a mission to get into topwaters for smallies. I used a torpedo (medium sized) on a small creek and caught several largemouth in the 12-15" range...weren't many smallies in the area...but it is pretty awesome fishing topwater in clear streams when you can see the fish chasing. I'm heading to the Little Niangua this weekend and will definitely have one rod rigged topwater.

 

[MoCarp]

try a tube on top, stuff some trimmed packing peanuts and a jig hook before the lead is cast.... a glitter clear with white packing peanuts works good for me makes a nice PLAT when they land..seems to get their attn, with practice you can walk the dog with them

[Mitch f]

I like popper/walkers in the spring around spawn, then transition to more of a gliding/walking bait and buzz baits as the year progresses