Bass boiling for topwater plugs
MAINELY OUTDOORS
by Bill Graves
Unusually warm, muggy weather has the trout schooled up in deep pools or spring holes and the salmon keeping to the cool thermoclines deep in local lakes. The few anglers hearty enough to brave heat stroke are experiencing very slow action. Smallmouth bass casters however, are having a field day on southern Aroostook’s waterways as the acrobatic, aerobatic bronze backs go crazy for noisy, agitating surface baits.
Contributed photo/Bill Graves
LARGE FISH — Clair Sylvester measures the largest fish of the day, a 17-1/2-inch brute taken at dusk by Roger Shaw, while casting a topwater popper two weekends ago. The author snapped a photo to ensure the bass didn’t grow over time.
Warm days and cool nights seem to jump start the bass into attacking turbulent topwater plugs and September is prime time to take advantage of this exciting style of fishing. Just two weekends ago, three of us made the long trip to the Penobscot River in Medway and fished from 2:30 to 7:30 when impending darkness drove us from the water. In total we boated 27 smallmouth, eight pickerel, and oddly, one good-sized white perch. Most of these fish, in particular the larger bronze backs, were incited into striking some type of noisy, splashy surface bait.
Plastic crayfish, lizards, grubs, and especially four- to six-inch worms in a rainbow of colors generally yield steady bass action regardless of water and weather conditions. But ask any veteran bass caster and most will agree that nothing matches the thrill of seeing, hearing, and feeling a big bass explode under a topwater bait. These strikes seem practically vicious in nature, almost as if the smallmouth are on an attack and destroy mission rather than just feeding.
Topwater baits are generally referred to as “hard baits” since they are crafted from plastic and polymers while pliable plastic baits are soft baits for obvious reasons. There are a few surface plugs such a floating frog and mouse imitations constructed of rubber and plastic but these constitute an exception to the rule. Among the types of hard baits are poppers, chuggers, swimmers, rattlers and gurglers, based on the noise each makes while retrieved through the water. Not only do various shapes and sizes of topwater lures make a different sound but each produces a unique motion across the water surface.
Following are a few time-tested hardbaits and some that our trio used with great success last outing. Heddon Torpedos and Zara Spooks come in four sizes and over two dozen colors, their single or double propellers churn up the surface leading to explosive strikes. Arborgast Company manufactures a handful of the oldest plug types on the market, yet consistently productive. Sputterbuzz, Jitterbug, and Hocus Locust hard baits all produce a real commotion along the surface that drives bass crazy.
Among newer hard surface bait models are Rebel Pop-Rs, Excalibur Pop’N Image and Spit’N Image, Storm’s Rattlin’ Chug Bug and the Stringer Topknocker. Most of these surface plugs cost between five and eight dollars apiece so be sure to tie them securely on your line. And while we are on the subject of losing expensive lures, remember that where there are bass, usually there are sharp-toothed pickerel. Consider using a light wire leader or at least a short heavier strength shock leader to prevent cut-offs. Lose two or three expensive, new plugs and the fun fades quickly.
Anywhere along the Penobscot River offers good smallmouth action, even when casting from shore. Other options for those with a stable 12- to 14-foot boat include Baskahegan Lake near Danforth, Wytopitlock Lake in Glenwood, Pleasant and Madawamkeag lakes in Island Falls, Plunket Lake in Benedicta, and Bracket Lake in Weston. All are simple to locate, launch and fish, and despite a bit longer drive than to the local trout stream, each is worth the effort thanks to plenty of bass anxious to smash topwater plugs.
Surface action is red-hot right now so grab a spinning rod, a few surface lures and give it a try; the results will be explosive!
