My 6 favorite topwater lures for North Carolina river smallmouth bass
I absolutely love fishing with topwater lures! It is always great fun to add a visual element to any kind of fishing. Also, topwater lures can be very productive. In this article I will share my 6 favorite topwater lures for river smallmouth bass in North Carolina.
Topwater lures have a few advantages over other baits. One is obvious; anglers can easily see the take. They appeal to the aggressive nature of smallmouth bass, triggering strikes from fish that are not actively feeding. Also, snags are virtually eliminated. One frustrating aspect of bouncing a jig along rocky bottoms is constant hang-ups. Not so with topwater lures.
Top 6 river smallmouth bass topwater lures
My favorite 6 topwaters lures for North Carolina smallmouth bass are;
- 5″ white Zoom fluke
- Whopper Plopper
- Rebel Teeny Pop R
- Strike King Bitsy Dawg
- Heddon Tint Torpedo
- White popper
I like casting smaller lures for North Carolina smallmouth bass. There are several reasons for this. I like action and catching a lot of fish. Small lures will catch both large and small fish. This includes nice panfish. Presentations are more subtle with smaller lures. For the most part, these are scaled down versions of larger lures used in lakes.
These are not “secret” lures by any means. They work well on my home river, the Little Tennessee River near Franklin as well as throughout the state. Lures become old standby’s for a reason; they produce over time. These are time tested baits that are readily available and still produce. In most cases, river smallmouth get less pressure and do not get accustomed to seeing lures over and over.
Tackle and techniques
A light spinning outfit is the best choice for anglers casting topwater lures for smallmouth bass. I like a 6′ or 6 1/2 ‘ light rod with a fast action. This means a limber tip and stout butt section. I use a 1000 series reel loaded with 6 pound monofilament line. Anglers can certainly use braid with a 3’ leader. I personally like the stretch of monofilament line when using topwater lures.
There are a couple of mistakes anglers often make when using topwater lures. One mistake is setting the hook too quickly. The take can be exciting and anglers often react too quickly. Instead, the best approach is to wait a beat and reel down until the weight of the fish is felt. You don’t want a lure with multiple treble hooks flying back in!
The other mistake anglers make is fishing the lures too quickly. the term “less is more” can be true when fishing topwater lures. Strikes often occur on the dead drift with no action imparted to the lure. As with all fishing, it is best to experiment until a productive retrieve emerges.
Fishing topwater lures in rivers is pretty simple. The lure is cast out towards shoreline structure. Holes, fallen trees, and rock ledges mid-stream are worth a try. The lure is then worked back in. Different lures are used slightly differently and I will cover each one separately. I generally find that color does not make a big difference, it is all about the action.
Heddon Tiny Topedo
The Heddon Tiny Torpedo is a classic topwater lure. I classify it as a “propeller” bait. It has a propeller on the read that puts out a lot of commotion. The lure is cast out, allowed to sit, then twitched sharply. Let is sit a few moments then repeat. After several cycles of this, reel in and cast to another spot.
Rebel Teeny Pop R
The Rebel Teen Pop R is another classic topwater lure. It is a popper. The lure is cast out and allowed to sit. A sharp twitch of the rod results in a nice “pop” that attracts fish. Again, do this 4 or 5 times, then reel in and try a different spot.
Strike King Bitsy Dawg
The Strike King Bitsy Dawg is one of my favorite lures! It is effective on a variety of species. The size is perfect for river fishing. This is one lure with very little built in action. This is a “walk the dog” style bait. Anglers cast it out then with the rod tip low the lure is reeled in using a series of small twitches. This will cause the lure to switch back and forth on the surface, dancing seductively.
Whopper Plopper
The Whopper Plopper is a more recent lure. It is very easy to use and has a ton of built in action. It is a bit of a mix between a buzzbait and a normal topwater lure. It is cast out and steadily reeled in with the tip held high. The lure puts out a lot of noise and commotion. I like the smallest size.
5″ Zoom white fluke
Most anglers don’t consider a Zoom Fluke a topwater lure. However, I fish it like one. I usually nose hook it and work it erratically on the surface.
White popper
This is one for the anglers who enjoy fly fishing. I am most definitely in that group. A #4 white popper is my favorite fly for fishing rivers. Chartreuse is my second choice in color. It will catch plenty of smallmouth bass along with other species including big bream. I use a 4 wt rod with a floating line and 4x leader. Anglers can up in size if desired. A sharp pop with a nice pause in between works well.
In conclusion, this article on my 6 favorite topwater lures for North Carolina river smallmouth bass will help them catch more fish!