Line Choices for Topwater Baits

We have discussed line choices for jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits in the past, since summer is here across most of the county, let’s break down how I pick lines for topwaters.

There are a myriad of topwaters, too keep this entry focused and brief, I am going to focus on your standard topwater plugs (poppers, spooks, propbaits, etc.) and for fun, let’s talk buzzbaits as well, I use the same line for buzzbaits and topwater plugs.

It is pretty commonly accepted, that very few people say fluorocarbon is best for topwaters.  There are a few renegade anglers out there that like the fluoro for topwater, but for the most part, this is not mainstream thinking.  Don’t get me wrong, I love fluorocarbon, but for topwater, I think it is the worst performing line and waste of money for topwaters.

So that leaves you with copolymers and super lines.  Monofilament’s floating properties are a great asset for topwater fishing; but in my mind, that is where it ends; other then it’s the least expensive to spool up.  Monos and Copolymers are a fine choice for topwaters, but in the end, I prefer a 20-30lb braided line.

So let’s talk about why I like braided line for topwaters.  #1 it floats, that is important in my mind when it comes to keeping the lures intended action intact.  #2, the low stretch I find is really nice for getting hooksets on long casts, all you have to do is lean into the fish to get a hook set.  The fact that you do not have to really set the hook is good, because when a school of fish is jumping all over your bait, you can reel and lean on the bait, if they miss it or do not take it right, you are not pulling the bait away from them and the bait remains in the strike zone for follow up strikes.  Follow up strikes = MORE FISH!!

Here is a quick story of my epiphany when I made the switch to braid. I was in a tournament on the Mississippi river; it was just minutes before I had to be in for weigh-in, I pulled up on a wing dam (underwater jetty) and fired my $14 Yellow Magic Popper across the current seam, a nice 3-4lb smallmouth sucked that popper down, I leaned back on that fish with my 14lb mono.  I could feel it was the fish I needed for a check, only to have it to shred my mono on the rocks & zebra mussels.  So there I sat disappointed with no fish and one of my best plugs gone forever and no check.

Yellow Magic Poppers

Since I made the switch to braid, no more broken off lures and I have put more money in my pocket.  The only thing is you need to adjust is how you fight fish next to the boat.  When a hot smallie or largemouth gets close to the boat, you just need to take your time and play that fish a little longer and guide it into the net.  Also, braid costs more upfront, but you hardly ever need to change it, so in the long run, it is probably the low cost solution for topwater plugs.

Try it and it should help you catch more bass!
Rich
RichLindgren.com