Topwater Sticks For Smallmouths

[FishingLTJ]

Topwater Sticks For Smallmouths

Smallmouths love topwater stickbaits, so much so that they often are the best bait choice no matter where you fish in North America. Of course other baits will produce better in some situations. But if you aren't carrying a basic selection of stickbaits, if you aren't considering them in most situations spring, summer, and early fall, you're probably overlooking some of the most exciting fishing in freshwater.

Tackle

• Rod: 5- to 6-foot fast-action casting rod.
  Reel: medium-capacity baitcasting reel.
  Line: 12- to 17-pound-test mono.

Presentation
Stickbaits can be crawled slowly and subtly to trigger inactive bass by letting the lure rest 5 or more seconds between soft jerks. But because the lure flips back and forth, slow retrieves may be lengthy. Consider whether the likelihood of a bite merits the amount of time required to trigger one with a subtle retrieve. Most of the time a faster presentation covers more water and triggers as many strikes in one-third the time. Cut pauses to a few seconds and increase the power of your wrist snaps. When fish are aggressive, use larger lures in flamboyant colors and a more aggressive retrieve to trigger some savage strikes. Snap the rod constantly and raise the rod to the 5 o'clock position between snaps. Tail-weighted stickbaits that bob strongly up and down add even more action to an aggressive presentation.

Cast the lure close to cover or over a point. Immediately engage the reel and drop the rod tip close to the water.

Repeat, using only your wrists to move the bait. The lure will dart erratically from side to side.Tighten up on the line and use wrist action to snap slack from the line. Lift your wrist slightly and snap back down 6 inches, whipping the rod tip and snapping the slack from the line. After each snap, retrieve most of the slack line.

Article from In-Fisherman.com