The Best Striper Topwater Lures

Topwater striper lure bites come once you least count on it. You’re fishing seemingly lifeless water, casting to a sod financial institution, or another construction. Then out of nowhere, KABOOM! Your topwater fishing lure disappears in a ball of white water.  It’s violent, savage and really magical on the identical time.  

In my 25 plus years of guiding anglers for striped bass, I’ve but to see anybody that didn’t get enthusiastic about seeing a pleasant striper smash a topwater lure. Each time I see it occur, I nonetheless flip out in a lot the identical manner I did once I was a child and skilled it for the very first time.  

Throughout an all-out blitz, nearly any topwater fishing lure will work. However, such feeds don’t occur on a regular basis. Stripers get finicky, significantly when they’re in shallow and/or very calm water. So, selecting the correct topwater lure for the circumstances is necessary. And, not all saltwater topwater lures are created equal. I’m going to element my favorites right here, based mostly on my a few years of expertise. I’ll cowl every topwater striper lure I’ve discovered to be significantly efficient, and focus on the circumstances the place every excels.

What Makes a Nice Topwater Striper Lure?

Topwater lures are something that swims on the floor, pushing water or inflicting a wake. And most significantly, they trigger violent, adrenaline-inducing floor eats.

You may break topwater lures down into 4 main classes: poppers, pencil-poppers, sliders, and floating jerk-baits. Let’s check out every, and what they do.

Poppers

Poppers are most likely the primary saltwater topwater lure to return to thoughts when focusing on striped bass. Although they range in form, most function an aggressively cupped head, a slim neck, and a fats physique that tapers right into a cone the place the again hook goes. And one of the best ones produce a loud raddle sound once you shake them, additional inciting a striper’s prey drive and triggering strikes.

Stripers are offended, territorial, aggressive creatures. So, it’s no surprise that they typically attempt to destroy these noisy topwater lures. Although you may typically imitate the profile of native forage species, stripers arguably don’t hit poppers as a result of they “match-the-hatch.” I typically use topwater lures like poppers throughout small grass-shrimp and even cinder worm hatches, counting on striper’s killer instincts to take over.

Working a popper is pretty simple. Pop with the rod tip, take a activate the reel to get rid of slack, and pop once more. Be sure you work all of it the way in which to the boat—a lot of strikes occur on the boat. I’ve discovered that sluggish retrieves peppered with strong pauses are likely to work higher than a sooner retrieve—stripers typically hit when it’s stopped.  

Pencil Poppers

Pencil poppers differ fairly a bit in dimension and form from a traditional popper. They’re kind-of tear-drop formed with a comparatively fats behind, tapering right into a small, cupped head. Though the define and motion are completely different, pencils additionally create a commotion on the water and annoy stripers into biting.  

However these striper topwater lures are labored in a sooner, walk-the-dog style. Although they may draw response strikes, pencils additionally mimic the listless back-and-forth movement of a wounded baitfish. The profile and motion of pencil poppers tends to work higher when fish are being finicky and bait is a little more unfold out. The extra noise a plug can create the higher, so I sometimes select pencils geared up with rattles. 

Pencils are labored a bit otherwise than their cousins. Simply start a sluggish retrieve, whereas twitching the rod tip. You need the pinnacle of the pencil popper to maneuver forwards and backwards, making small splashes. A loud, wounded bait shifting forwards and backwards? It’s normally an excessive amount of for stripers to withstand.  

Sliders 

Sliders are cigar-shaped plugs which are additionally labored throughout the water’s floor. However as an alternative of constructing a ruckus, they merely glide throughout the water in a side-to-side method. Whereas they don’t seem to be more likely to create as a lot commotion as a popper or pencil popper, they do account for an terrible lot of huge stripers. I believe the subdued motion extra intently imitates the wrestle a wounded baitfish makes than loud pops and massive splashes.

I’ve discovered that sliders have a tendency to supply greater stripers than poppers do. I consider, and that is hypothesis in fact, that bigger, older and presumably wiser stripers usually tend to go for the restrained motion of a slider than their youthful, extra aggressive brethren. Regardless of the cause, massive sliders just like the Doc account for extra outsized topwater stripers than something in my field!

Fishing sliders is a reasonably simple endeavor. Simply forged them to a probable spot, and snap your rod tip to impart motion. Watch the slider jimmy kind aspect to aspect, then reel up the slack and repeat. It normally doesn’t take too lengthy earlier than it will get hammered.

Floating Jerk Baits

This class may embrace a wide range of lures, equivalent to stick baits. However I’m speaking about floating mushy plastics just like the Slug-Go. Now there are dozens of variations of this floating mushy plastic available on the market, made by a wide range of makers. All of them work, however Slug-Go was the unique, and nonetheless is arguably one of the best. They run anyplace from 3 to 12 inches, however the 9-inch floating mushy plastic jerk bait could also be one of the best striper lure ever. 

I’ve been utilizing these delicate topwater lures for 30 years, and might say they’re price their weight in gold. That is very true when stripers are being specific and gained’t hit any type of noisy topwater lure. Slug-Gos are terribly helpful fishing in skinny water for what are normally very finicky fish, and actually comes into their very own when stripers are on sand eels or different smallish bait that’s laborious to mimic. However as a result of they don’t push loads of water, they don’t appear to draw terribly aggressive fish. Use noisier choices when the stripers are performing rowdy.

After your forged, twitch twice with the rod tip and pause, permitting the bait to sink just a few inches underneath the water. Take a activate the reel and twitch once more, and it’ll come again to the floor and dart out of the water. The Slug-Go will twitch and swim throughout the floor like a dazed baitfish, out of the blue regaining consciousness it in an try to flee the predator chasing it. Simply be aware that they are often robust to forged, as they don’t have loads of weight. You may at all times add a jig head or a weighted swim hook, however you simply can’t get that very same provocative swim with weight.

Why It’s in My Sort out Field

Merely put, the Saltwater Doc catches extra massive stripers than any striped bass topwater lure on the market. It might forged a mile, and be labored successfully by even novice anglers. 

Key Options 

Fashion: Slider/walk-the-dog-style topwater lure

Measurement: 7 to 9 inches

Weight: 2.7 ounces (7-inch model), 3.5 ounces (9-inch model)

Materials: Plastic

Noise: Inner rattle

Execs

Attracts exceptionally massive stripers whereas removing small fish

This noisy topwater lure pushes loads of water and casts a mile because of its massive dimension

Even inexperienced anglers can work it 

Cons

The massive dimension discourages smaller fish, so that you gained’t catch a lot if solely the little guys are round

Creates a lot commotion when it lands that it could actually spook fish in skinny water

You want comparatively heavy gear to forged it  

Perhaps 20 years in the past, Captain Craig Cantelmo of Van Staal Reels instructed me a few mystical 9-inch plug supposed to focus on muskellunge. Three, 30-pound-class striped bass fought over the lure on the primary forged I took with it and I used to be a believer. I used to be sworn to secrecy as a result of widespread use of the plug would certainly “decimate the striped bass fishery.” 

That wooden plug was often known as “The Homewrecker,” and it what the Doc is modeled after. The Doc ditches wooden for plastic, however the massive fish catching potential stays the identical. Undoubtedly, the big, cigar-shaped topwater lure have accounted for extra 20-plus pound fish for myself or purchasers than anything within the field. Why it really works so nicely is difficult to say, however it’s surprisingly efficient—particularly in case you’re focusing on trophy-sized stripers.     

Now there are lots of imitations, however the dimension, weight, steadiness and buoyancy of the Doc is exclusive, and more-or-less excellent for many functions. It might forged a mile, and be labored successfully by even novice anglers. With a easy, well timed twitch, this massive topwater lure glides forwards and backwards like a listless/injured baitfish, pushing a wave that pulls consideration. A brief pause between twitches typically generates monster floor strikes.  

Whereas this saltwater topwater lure will not be actually particular to any set of circumstances, however typically the calmer the water the higher. Nonetheless, the big profile is more likely to get observed even in windy or uneven circumstances. The Doc is available in a number of colours, however “bone” appears to work finest. I exchange the again hook with a stainless, inline 7/0 J-hook. It swims higher, and also you don’t must take care of unhooking two trebles—from the fish, or your fingers.  

Why It’s in My Sort out Field

They merely work when nothing else will. The tantalizing side-to-side motion is an excessive amount of for fish to disregard. When stripers flip finicky, flip to the Slug-Go. And the strikes on this stuff? Savage!

Key Options 

Fashion: Floating jerk bait

Measurement: 9 inch

Weight: 1.4 ounce

Materials: Delicate plastic

Noise: No rattle, however pushes some water when labored appropriately

Execs

Provocative darting motion that stripers typically discover irresistible 

Works nicely throughout most circumstances, however significantly on finicky fish

Received’t spook fish on the flats or within the shallows

Will be fished on exceptionally gentle deal with 

Cons

The sunshine weight makes casting tough

Fish typically miss this lure as a result of the hook is within the entrance and the purpose isn’t uncovered  

Troublesome to fish in tough circumstances as a result of the slim profile doesn’t push a lot water

The mushy plastic building tears simply  

The Slug-Go was initially developed for largemouth bass, however it rapidly grew to become identified in most components as a tried-and-true striped bass topwater lure. Its lengthy, slender profile and erratic darting motion was revolutionary when it hit the saltwater scene and the random motion proved to be an excessive amount of for even choosy stripers to disregard. Merely put, the Slug-Go generates strikes when different topwater lures gained’t.

Sizes vary from 3 to 12 inches, however I exploit the 9-inch model nearly solely. I rig them on a weedless plastic-worm model hook, with the hook level hidden within the physique. I by no means add any weight, as that may take away from the erratic motion that drives stripers wild. Plus, the load will make it sink, and you don’t want that in case you’re making an attempt to get in on a topwater chew.

Although the dearth of weight could make it robust to forged, it permits for delicate shows within the skinniest circumstances. I exploit it largely within the mud and sand flats the place fish are simply spooked and notoriously finicky. As a result of it’s gentle, it doesn’t spook all the things within the neighborhood when it lands. When stripers are on sand eels and don’t appear to need something, they may normally eat a Slug-Go. And, it may be might be fished on exceptionally gentle deal with, which is at all times enjoyable. 

There are a number of completely different colours to select from, however I have a tendency to make use of both alewife (grey over silver) or Arkansas shiner (olive over bone). Each of those colours do a superb job of “matching the hatch,” mimicking each the motion and coloring of a big sand eel. That mentioned, the bubble gum (pink) model is a well known producer of massive stripers, just because it will get observed. It does significantly nicely in areas the place squid is current.  

Why It’s in My Sort out Field

The Chug Norris rises to the highest of the popper pile for just a few causes: it doesn’t tumble when forged; the distinctive form retains it glued to the water’s floor when retrieved, and it produces a loud, booming pop that will get it finished.

Key Options 

Fashion: Popper

Measurement: 3.75 and 4.75 inches

Weight: 3/4 ounce (3.75-inch model), 1.5 ounces (4.75-inch model)

Materials: Plastic

Noise:  Aggressively cupped head and inside rattle

Execs

Loud, booming pops get observed by all the things within the space

Distinctive form sticks to the water, and gained’t skip over the floor

Casts like bullet with out tumbling

Outfitted with single hooks as an alternative of trebles

Cons

The loud noise it produces can spook finicky fish  

It’s clunky, and doesn’t actually work nicely within the skinny stuff  

There are actually dozens of popper manufacturers and kinds, and admittedly, all of them work. However, the deep, aggressive cup on the Chug Norris’ face makes loud, booming pops that seemingly name fish in from throughout. Even with a delicate twitch of the rod tip, you may count on a ton of noise from this one. It has proved to be an ideal topwater lure that constantly attracts strikes from stripers each massive and small.

A part of the key lies within the form of face, which is spherical on the backside and sq. on the prime. The opposite a part of the equation is the heavier rear finish, which permits that half to sink. So, once you pull it the pinnacle digs down and the butt comes vertical. This helps it seize the water’s floor and push it again out on the prime, producing a thunderous pop when it’s labored, even with minimal effort. 

Due to this distinctive design, the Chug Norris by some means sticks to the water in a manner standard poppers merely can’t, avoiding the dreaded cartwheel motion that plagues many topwater striper lures. Even in tough circumstances, it stays glued to the floor. And due to the hydrodynamic form, even the small ones appear to forged a mile.  

It is available in a lot of cool colours, however frankly I don’t suppose it issues a lot. But when I needed to make a advice although, I’d go together with “White Glow.” I prefer it, and so do the stripers.

Why It’s in My Sort out Field

The Information’s Secret Poppa Pencil has accounted for quite a few 40 and even 50 pounders for myself and purchasers. The massive profile and side-to-side motion is completely lethal on massive stripers.

Key Options 

Fashion: Pencil popper

Measurement: 8.5 inches

Weight: 3 ounces

Materials: Plastic

Noise: Inner rattle

Execs

Giant profile strikes loads of water

Stroll-the-dog motion does a unbelievable job of imitating a wounded menhaden

Casts a mile!

Cons

Too massive and heavy for back-bay use

Prone to scare away something within the neighborhood if utilized in shallow water

Requires pretty heavy gear to forged and work appropriately  

Even with a soccer field-sized faculty of menhaden (aka bunker) to select from, the most important and fattest stripers will hunt down a simple meal within the type of a sluggish, wounded baitfish. In case your lure resembles that straightforward meal, it’s greater than possible that it’ll get smashed.

The Information’s Secret Poppa Pencil seems and acts precisely like a dazed or wounded bunker. The side-to-side motion and big profile of this striper topwater lure is a lifeless ringer for dying menhaden, and is an excessive amount of for even the laziest cow to disregard. Whenever you throw it close to a pod of bunker with stripers beneath it, there’s a reasonably good likelihood a number of bass goes to return up from the depths and blow up on it.  

Like most pencil poppers it’s pear-dropped formed with a fats tail finish tapering as much as a thin cupped head. What makes it distinctive, although, is its dimension. It’s massive…like actually massive. The Information’s Secret Poppa Pencil is arguably the most important pencil popper available on the market. And sure, there are different corporations that make massive pencils. However they’re all typically made out of wooden and sink on the pause. The plastic building of the Poppa Pencil floats even when nonetheless, including to the attractive motion.

The Poppa Pencil is constructed to impart that impossible to resist slashing/popping forwards and backwards motion, even in lower than excellent circumstances. Work it slowly with frequent pauses and cling on. As is the case with most topwater striper lures, strikes typically happen on the pause. 

Why It’s in My Sort out Field

The Joebaggs Skipper is the primary “new” factor I’ve tried in a decade that really works just like the producer says it does. It fills a important spot in my deal with field between the Doc and the Spook, working nicely in each open water and the again bay.

Key Options

Fashion: Slider/walk-the-dog model topwater lure

Measurement: 8 inches

Weight: 2.75 ounces

Materials: Plastic

Noise: Distinctive inside rattle produces a low-frequency sound that echoes within the water  

Execs

Huge, however not too massive to make use of within the again bays

Facet-to-side walk-the-dog motion that can be fished aggressively like a pencil popper

Balanced to forged far and sit within the water completely

Cons

Whereas it may be fished in open water and the again bay it doesn’t actually do both in addition to topwater lures particular to these two varieties of fishing

A bit bit too heavy for tremendous gentle gear  

The Joebaggs Skipper fills in a important spot in my deal with field between the Doc and the Spook. It’s not as massive and aggressive because the Doc, however not as small and un-intrusive because the Spook. At 8 inches, its arguably the right dimension to be used each as an open water and backwater slider. So, you need to use it in each open water and the shallow again bay.

At nearly 3 ounces it looks like it will be a bit heavy for the again, however it doesn’t actually act prefer it. The place some sliders are too rear- or nose-heavy, it tends to take a seat good within the water. And, it solely pushes as a lot water as you need it to. When labored slowly, it slides a strong 3 toes to at least one aspect after which 3 toes to the opposite. That offers you 6 toes of fishable radius, which is considerably greater than most sliders and permits to cowl floor rapidly.

Plus, whereas it fairly clearly does the slider factor nicely, you may as well work it extra aggressively. Different sliders are, more-or-less, one trick ponies, however you can provide the Skipper the slashing/popping motion of a pencil popper in case you lean into it laborious sufficient. And when stripers are being actually aggressive, you may burn it throughout the water and it bounces and pokes on the water like a baitfish getting chased. The throaty rattle provides one other dimension, which the producer claims creates an echo within the water.  

This lure is so new I haven’t had greater than a 12 months to check it, however thus far, I’ve been actually impressed. Plus, it’s through-wired with 4/0 VMC trebles, which is uncommon for striper topwater lures.That makes it tuna prepared in case you selected to make use of it that manner, and unlikely to fail with any linesider.   

Why It’s in My Sort out Field

At round $8.50, the Cotton Cordell possibly the most cost effective, simplest pencil popper on the market. I’ve been utilizing them for the reason that early 90s, and so they work as nicely at present as they did again then.

Key Options

Fashion: Pencil popper

Measurement: 4.5 to 7 inches

Weight: 3/4 to 2 ounces 

Materials: Plastic

Noise: Loud rattle

Execs

Inexpensive favourite with a long time of confirmed effectiveness

Will be fished each within the again and open water

Swims like a standard pencil popper

Makes loads of noise

Cons

Cut up rings and hooks may probably fail on an enormous, hard-fighting stripers

Doesn’t imitate massive bait like menhaden or herring nicely

End degrades and chips simply 

The Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper has been efficient on stripers for actually a long time, first showing within the isles of massive field shops and deal with outlets within the late 80s. This topwater lure’s historical past as a prime striper producer has been confirmed with its potential to remain on the cabinets for thus lengthy. 

I’ve personally been utilizing these topwater striper lures for the reason that early 90s. They labored nicely again then, and so they work nicely now. To today, they occupy an area in my deal with bag. You possible gained’t catch 50-pounders on these, however for they’ve accounted for loads of fish within the 20- and even 30-pound class for me.  

That is the normal floating plastic pencil popper, a design that has accounted for numerous stripers. They aren’t heavy, might be labored on gentle deal with, and might positively be labored in each skinny again bay functions in addition to open water. An excellent loud rattle makes loads of noise for added attraction. Work this one so it produces a fast aspect to aspect motion, with loads of pauses. It’ll most likely get smashed on the stops.

Whereas they may not be of the best high quality, owing to the cheaper price level, they do certainly catch loads of stripers. However you may wish to swap out the break up rings and hooks in case you’re chasing trophy fish. And be aware that the end chips and degrades pretty simply, although generally these beat-up plugs produce even higher.

Conclusion

Certainly, the strikes generated by striped bass topwater lures are superior. The lures I’ve detailed right here I can personally attest to getting bit underneath all kinds of circumstances. However remember these aren’t the one selections, only a leaping off level. It takes time on the water and loads of empirical subject analysis to grasp what works finest in your neck of the woods. So, get on the market and provides it a go! And attempt to preserve it collectively when an enormous striper blows up in your topwater lure. I nonetheless have a tough time with that half!

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