How To Trigger Topwater Strikes On Terrible Days
- By: Matthew Lanier
- on
This is how to trigger topwater strikes on terrible days!!!
Topwater eats are just downright AWESOME!!
Watching fish launch from below to snatch your lure is an absolute hoot.
But it can be tough on certain days depending on the conditions.
Here’s how to trigger strikes no matter where or when you’re trying to get topwater eats!!!
How To Trigger Topwater Strikes On Terrible Days [VIDEO]
Become A Better Angler While Saving Time & Money
Check out Justin’s Review of the Rapala Skitter Walk Lure
Get the Rapala Skitter Walk HERE
Skitter Walk Setup:
As we enter this period of the summer where more and more often storms pop up and roll through areas, conditions may turn from fantastic to poor real quick.
Lots of rain and wind make for tough conditions.
But these days are often overlooked and seen as unfishable days but let me tell you these conditions can sometimes spark an epic bite.
The Moonwalker Topwater lure is consistently my go-to fishing lure for most topwater situations.
However, there are a few different types of topwater plugs I make sure to have with me.
It usually comes down to situations and circumstances when choosing which type to use.
Rapala Skitter Walk
On those less-than-favorable fishing days, a lure I like to break out of my back pocket is the Rapala Skitter Walk.
This is one of my favorite summertime topwater lures.
My confidence choice is the holographic silver Skitter Walk.
I really like the color scheme of this bait with the white belly blending into a holographic body with red gills painted on.
It depicts the same flash as most baitfish in the water.
That is not to say I don’t also use other color schemes as well.
The Baby Trout color was my favorite until I stumbled upon the Holographic Silver color pattern.
I feel as though the Holographic Silver color matches both small trout and mullet which is often in the diet of the bigger fish.
There are two sizes of Rapala Skitter Walk lures as well.
They have a 4-inch lure and one that is just over 3.5 inches.
Not only is size a factor, but the change in size also leads to a change in the rattle frequency.
The smaller lure has a bit of a higher frequency rattle than the larger lure.
Although the difference may seem negligible, the lower frequency rattle will be easier to hear in choppier conditions.
The Moonwalker Topwater lure does an excellent job of covering ground and gliding across the surface quickly.
Rapala Skitter Walk lures will drop a bit deeper in windy conditions.
They have a wider belly that keeps the lure down in the water and not so much right on the surface.
The nose of the lure pokes out of the surface while the body remains submerged in water.
This means you will work an area slower than other topwater lures but it will appear more natural in rough conditions.
When bites are hard to come by, especially in the summertime, I’ll break out a topwater lure and start working that.
Skitter Walk lures stay in an area a bit longer and allow you to work them a bit slower to trigger strikes.
Often this will trigger an instinctual bite from any fish in the area.
Types Of Areas, Retrieves, & More Tips
I prefer to work the Skitter Walk over grass flats and next to grass lines.
Or anywhere there are huge pods of bait or open water with consistent current flow.
The retrieve for these lures is no different than any other walk-the-dog style topwater lure.
The low-frequency rattle will help you spark more bites.
Color choice is up to you and your confidence levels.
Look for trends in your area and find the color that works best for you in your area.
Something else to keep in mind is you will want to use a fishing rod with more backbone and a stiffer tip section.
These lures are a bit heavier than most topwater lures you may be accustomed to fishing.
I personally have been fishing the Cashion Inshore Element Medium-Heavy with the Skitter Walk lures.
I pair that up with the Daiwa Ballistic MQ 2500 because it picks up the line a bit faster.
The Slot Machine Custom Rod will also have zero issues reeling in these lures as well.
Get the Rapala Skitter Walk HERE
Finding The Fish Help
In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.
1. Weekend Game Plans (updated weekly)
These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.
2. Smart Fishing Spots Platform (updated every 15 minutes)
This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.
3. Community Reports (live feed)
The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.
Related categories:
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Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Awesome video, My question is do you use the treble hooks or change to single hooks? Which do you think works best? F
Thanks and Tight Lines
Change them out to single hooks in my opinion! Change the split rings too while your at it. I think Matt has a video about changing the hooks etc on a KVD Wake Bait!
Matt, great tips!! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it Frank! Thanks for watching!
Great video and insightful. Keep up the good work
Thanks Mark! Will do!
Great video! I have been playing with top water lures on and off for several years now but can’t seem to find any consistency doing very well some days and nothing the next so any tips I can get the better also practice practice practice and I’ll get it down because it’s absolutely my favorite way of fishing
Definitely keep practicing!
Great tip! Like the idea of the skitterwalk… was looking at one today, guess I’m going back to get him!
😆
Grab em up! Be sure to take advantage of your Insider Member discount!
Great course Matt. I there’s nothing like an early morning blow-up …..
Nothing at all!
Thanks Matt
No problem buddy!
Thanks Pat
Thank you Matt, awesome job! Is the Cashion rod the one you slammed in your truck and still was catching fish? If so, found my next rod. 💪👊👍🤙
Hey George! That was my Fitzgerald Fishing Rod and I’m still catching fish with it! The Cashion Element is a great budget rod for those heavier topwaters!
Right on! Now I have my next two rods picked out! That Fitzgerald stays in BEAST MODE! Took some crucial damage and still produces like a champ, I’m sold! Appreciate your time and feed back!
Due to my schedule at work I often go out midday every other weekend. It’s hot in vero beach for awhile to come and I always see blowup on bait but for some reason I never threw a topwater. I’m working on paying attention better now thanks for sharing this video. I also fish from a kayak so is there any size hook recommendations to switch skitter walk from the weaker trebles to a single inline hook?
Hey Jonathan! Definitely try throwing that topwater when you see that! I usually use the owner #2 size inlines. That works for most baits. Tony has a great video on swapping hooks and the proper sizing. Thanks for watching!