The topwater bait can be made of hard or soft plastic.  The topwater is often fashioned to resemble little creatures such as frogs, rodents and snakes.  Using a topwater is probably the most visual and exciting way to catch a bass.    There is nothing like fishing with a topwater and seeing a bass hit your bait from below in a huge, spectacular explosion.

Use this bait when water is at least 60 degrees or warmer.  In the spring, smallmouth bass are in shallower waters preparing to spawn.  They are feeding well and will go for a nice topwater often.

Some fisherman say they do not like to use topwaters in rough water or on windy days.  But if you have confidence and experience in this bait, the topwater can be used any time.  Either way, experiment with your retrievals.  Reel, jerk a few times, pause and repeat - reel, pause, reel pause... keep trying until you get that amazing hit.

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