Few moments in fishing are more exciting than watching a bass explode on a lure at the surface. During the warmer months, largemouth and smallmouth bass frequently move into shallow water or position beneath vegetation, docks, baitfish, and other cover where a well-presented topwater lure can trigger aggressive strikes.
However, choosing the right bait depends on where you’re fishing and how active the bass are.
Some lures create loud surface commotion and help you cover water quickly. Others stay in one area longer and tempt bass hiding beneath cover.
In this guide, we’ll look at five of the best lures for topwater bass fishing, when to use each one, the best retrieves, equipment choices, and several techniques that can help you catch more bass throughout the summer.
Why Topwater Fishing Works So Well in Summer
Warm water increases the activity of both bass and their prey.
Bass may feed on:
- Shad
- Minnows
- Bluegill
- Frogs
- Insects
- Small birds and rodents
- Other surface prey
Vegetation also becomes increasingly important as summer progresses.
Lily pads, hydrilla, milfoil, reeds, and other aquatic plants provide shade and ambush points. A lure moving across or beside this cover can look like an easy meal.
Additionally, bass often feed closer to the surface during low-light periods.
That’s why early mornings, evenings, cloudy days, and windy conditions can provide excellent surface action.
1. Hollow-Body Frog
If you’re fishing heavy vegetation, a hollow-body frog should be one of the first lures you reach for.
Frogs are designed with the hooks positioned tightly against the body, allowing them to move across cover where many other lures would immediately snag.
They’re particularly effective around:
- Lily pads
- Grass mats
- Duckweed
- Reeds
- Fallen trees
- Shoreline vegetation
How to Fish a Frog
Cast the frog beyond or directly onto the cover you’re targeting.
Then work it across the surface using short rod movements.
When the frog reaches an opening in the vegetation, stop it.
That pause can be extremely important.
A bass may follow the lure underneath the vegetation before attacking when it reaches open water.
Don’t Set the Hook Too Quickly
One of the biggest frog-fishing mistakes is reacting immediately when a bass explodes on the lure.
Wait until you feel the weight of the fish before setting the hook.
That slight delay gives the bass time to fully take the frog into its mouth.
Then use a strong hookset to drive the hooks home.
2. Popper
Poppers have a cupped or concave face that creates a splash when the rod tip is twitched.
They’re excellent when you want to keep a lure in a small strike zone for an extended period.
Good places to fish a popper include:
- Dock corners
- Laydowns
- Weed edges
- Rocky points
- Stumps
- Shade lines
- Openings in vegetation
How to Fish a Popper
Cast beyond the target and allow the rings on the water to disappear.
Then give the rod one or two short twitches.
Pause.
Repeat the process as you work the lure back toward you.
Some days bass want constant movement. On others, long pauses produce more strikes.
Experiment with cadence until the fish show you what they prefer.
When Poppers Work Best
Poppers are especially effective when bass aren’t willing to chase a fast-moving bait.
Because you can keep the lure close to a dock, stump, or weed edge, fish have plenty of time to inspect and attack it.
3. Buzzbait
Buzzbaits are made for covering water.
Unlike a popper that can remain almost stationary, a buzzbait moves continuously across the surface.
Its rotating blade produces noise, vibration, and surface disturbance that can trigger reaction strikes.
Where to Throw a Buzzbait
Try one around:
- Shallow flats
- Weed edges
- Laydowns
- Docks
- Rocky banks
- Reeds
- Riprap
One particularly effective technique is to retrieve the lure parallel to cover.
For example, rather than casting directly toward a weedline and pulling the bait away from it, cast along the edge.
That keeps the lure in productive water much longer.
How Fast Should You Retrieve It?
Start with the slowest speed that keeps the blade working properly on the surface.
If bass are aggressive, increase the speed.
Changing retrieve speed is one of the simplest ways to determine how active the fish are.
4. Walking Bait
Walking baits are designed to move from side to side across the surface.
This action is commonly called “walking the dog.”
The presentation imitates an injured or disoriented baitfish and can draw bass from a surprisingly long distance.
Best Places for Walking Baits
These lures excel around:
- Open water
- Points
- Flats
- Submerged vegetation
- Baitfish schools
- Rocky shorelines
- Isolated cover
Because they cast well, they’re excellent search baits when you need to cover large areas.
How to Walk the Dog
Point your rod tip slightly downward and introduce a little slack into the line.
Then make short rhythmic twitches while slowly retrieving.
The slack allows the lure’s nose to swing from one side to the other.
Once you find the rhythm, the movement becomes surprisingly easy.
Add a Pause
Don’t assume the lure needs to move continuously.
If a bass follows without striking, pause.
A sudden stop can make the bait appear vulnerable and trigger the fish to commit.
5. Plopper-Style Topwater Bait
Prop-style and plopper-style surface lures create a steady trail of sound and turbulence.
They’re easy to fish because a simple straight retrieve produces most of the lure’s action.
That makes them an excellent option for beginners.
Where to Fish Them
Try these baits around:
- Points
- Flats
- Weed edges
- Open water
- Rocky banks
- Docks
- Baitfish schools
They can also be effective when wind creates a slight chop on the water.
The additional sound and surface disturbance can help bass locate the lure.
Change Your Retrieve Speed
Start with a steady medium retrieve.
If bass are following without striking, experiment.
Try speeding up, slowing down, or briefly pausing the lure.
Sometimes a small change in speed is enough to turn a follower into a strike.
Which Topwater Lure Should You Choose?
The five lures overlap, but each has situations where it performs particularly well.
Heavy vegetation: Frog
Isolated cover: Popper
Covering shallow water quickly: Buzzbait
Open water and baitfish: Walking bait
Wind or active fish: Plopper-style bait
Don’t be afraid to change lures as conditions change.
For example, you might start the morning with a walking bait over a shallow flat before switching to a frog once the sun pushes bass underneath vegetation.
Best Time of Day for Topwater Bass Fishing
Early morning is one of the most reliable periods.
Low light gives bass an opportunity to move shallow and feed more aggressively.
Evening can produce similar conditions as sunlight decreases.
However, don’t automatically put away your surface lures once the sun comes up.
Bass may continue feeding on top around:
- Heavy vegetation
- Shaded docks
- Overhanging trees
- Wind-blown banks
- Thick grass mats
A frog worked across a shaded mat can catch bass during the middle of a hot summer afternoon.
Cloudy vs. Sunny Conditions
Weather can have a major influence on where bass position.
Cloudy Days
Overcast conditions can encourage bass to roam and feed away from cover.
This makes moving lures such as walking baits, buzzbaits, and plopper-style baits excellent choices.
Sunny Days
Bright sunlight often pushes fish closer to shade and cover.
Focus on:
- Docks
- Vegetation
- Overhanging trees
- Laydowns
- Shade lines
Poppers and frogs can be particularly effective because they allow you to work specific pieces of cover thoroughly.
Calm Water vs. Wind
Water conditions should influence your lure selection.
When the surface is calm, subtle presentations can work extremely well.
Try a popper or walking bait with longer pauses.
As wind increases, louder lures become more useful.
Buzzbaits and plopper-style presentations create enough disturbance to stand out against waves and surface noise.
However, extremely rough water can make surface fishing less effective.
Best Colors for Topwater Lures
Color doesn’t need to be complicated.
Bass usually see the silhouette of a surface lure from underneath.
Three basic color categories cover most situations.
White and Shad Colors
White, bone, silver, and shad patterns are excellent when bass are feeding on baitfish.
Dark Colors
Black and other dark colors create a strong silhouette.
They’re especially useful during:
- Low light
- Cloudy weather
- Night fishing
- Stained water
Natural Frog and Bluegill Colors
Natural greens, browns, and bluegill patterns can be useful around vegetation and areas where bass commonly feed on frogs and panfish.
If you’re unsure, start with something simple such as bone, white, or black.
Best Fishing Line for Topwater Bass
Line choice is especially important because not every type behaves the same way on the surface.
Braided Line
Braid is excellent for frogs and heavy vegetation.
It provides:
- High strength
- Low stretch
- Strong hooksets
- Excellent performance around grass
Many anglers use heavier braid when pulling bass from thick vegetation.
Monofilament
Monofilament is a strong choice for many treble-hook surface lures.
It generally floats and its stretch provides some forgiveness when a bass strikes.
That can help prevent treble hooks from tearing free.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon generally isn’t the first choice for most surface presentations because it sinks more readily.
For a complete breakdown of braid, monofilament, and fluorocarbon, check out our Fishing Line Guide.
Best Rod and Reel Setup
The ideal equipment depends on the lure.
For walking baits, poppers, and similar treble-hook presentations, a medium or medium-heavy rod with a moderate-fast action can work well.
A baitcasting reel provides excellent casting control and makes it easy to quickly pick up line.
Frog fishing requires heavier equipment.
Consider:
- Medium-heavy or heavy rod
- Fast action
- Strong baitcasting reel
- Heavy braided line
The additional power helps pull bass out of thick vegetation before they become buried in the cover.
Where to Find Summer Bass
Finding the right location is more important than having the perfect lure.
During summer, start around:
- Weedlines
- Lily pads
- Docks
- Points
- Laydowns
- Shallow flats
- Baitfish schools
- Overhanging trees
- Rocky shorelines
Pay attention to shade.
Even a relatively small shaded area can hold a bass during bright summer conditions.
Also watch for surface activity.
Baitfish jumping or scattering can indicate predators feeding underneath them.
Topwater Fishing Around Docks
Docks provide shade, structure, and feeding opportunities.
Start by targeting:
- Outside corners
- Dock posts
- Boat lifts
- Shade lines
- Openings underneath the dock
Poppers work particularly well because you can leave them beside a dock post for several seconds.
Walking baits can also cover the outer edges efficiently.
During bright conditions, try casting as far underneath the dock as possible.
Topwater Fishing Around Vegetation
Summer vegetation creates some of the best surface-fishing opportunities of the year.
Look for:
- Holes in grass
- Weed points
- Lily pad edges
- Channels
- Isolated clumps
- Transitions between vegetation types
A frog is usually the safest option when the cover is extremely thick.
Around more open weed edges, buzzbaits and walking baits can cover water more efficiently.
What to Do When a Bass Misses Your Lure
Missed strikes are part of surface fishing.
Don’t immediately reel in.
Instead, stop the lure.
Sometimes the bass will turn around and attack again.
If the fish doesn’t return, throw a follow-up bait into the same area.
A soft plastic such as a Wacky Rig can be extremely effective for catching a bass that missed a surface lure.
The fish has already revealed its location, so give it a slower presentation.
Common Topwater Fishing Mistakes
Avoiding a few common mistakes can dramatically improve your hookup rate.
Setting the Hook Too Early
Seeing the strike makes anglers react immediately.
Wait until you feel the fish before setting the hook.
This is particularly important with frogs.
Fishing Too Fast
Don’t assume faster is always better.
Pauses can trigger some of your biggest strikes.
Using the Same Retrieve All Day
Bass preferences change.
Experiment with:
- Speed
- Cadence
- Pauses
- Direction
- Lure size
Ignoring Cover
Random casts across open water can catch fish, but targeting high-percentage areas is usually more productive.
Giving Up After Sunrise
Surface fishing isn’t limited to dawn.
Shade and vegetation can keep bass looking upward throughout the day.
Summer Topwater Fishing for Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass are particularly associated with shallow cover.
Focus on:
- Grass
- Lily pads
- Docks
- Laydowns
- Shallow wood
- Bluegill spawning areas
Frogs, poppers, and buzzbaits are especially useful in these environments.
If you’re targeting bigger fish, our Top Baits for Big Largemouth Bass guide covers additional presentations for trophy bass.
Summer Topwater Fishing for Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth frequently use more open water than largemouth.
Look around:
- Rocky points
- Shoals
- Islands
- Flats
- Baitfish schools
- Offshore structure
Walking baits can be outstanding because smallmouth may travel a surprising distance to attack one.
Poppers can also produce when fish are feeding around isolated rock and shoreline structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best topwater lure for bass?
There isn’t one best lure for every situation. Frogs excel around heavy vegetation, poppers are excellent around isolated cover, and walking baits are effective for covering open water.
What time is best for topwater bass fishing?
Early morning and evening are excellent periods because of reduced light. However, surface lures can catch bass throughout the day around shade, vegetation, and other cover.
What color should I use?
White, bone, black, and natural baitfish patterns cover most situations. Dark colors create a strong silhouette in low light, while lighter baitfish patterns work well when bass are feeding on shad or minnows.
Can you fish topwater during the middle of the day?
Yes. Focus on shade and heavy cover. Frogs can be especially effective across thick vegetation during sunny summer afternoons.
Should I use braid or monofilament?
Braid is excellent around heavy vegetation and for frog fishing. Monofilament works well with many treble-hook surface lures because it floats and provides additional stretch.
Why do bass miss topwater lures?
Bass sometimes strike aggressively without fully taking the lure. They may also misjudge a fast-moving bait. If a fish misses, pause the lure or follow up with a slower soft-plastic presentation.
Final Thoughts
Topwater bass fishing is one of the most exciting ways to catch largemouth and smallmouth during summer.
You don’t need dozens of different surface lures.
Start with five proven styles: a frog, popper, buzzbait, walking bait, and plopper-style lure. Together, they’ll allow you to fish everything from thick vegetation and docks to open flats and baitfish schools.
More importantly, pay attention to the conditions.
Use quieter presentations when the water is calm, louder baits when there’s wind, frogs around thick vegetation, and walking baits when bass are chasing baitfish.
Then experiment with retrieve speed and pauses.
When a bass finally breaks the surface and crushes your lure, you’ll understand why so many anglers consider topwater fishing one of the best parts of summer bass fishing.
