Topwater fishing is one of the most exciting forms of fishing you can do. Nothing beats the rush of seeing a giant fish attack your lure as it cruises across the surface. But as exciting as the hit can be, it doesn’t always come.

When the topwater works, it works great. At other times, it is the complete opposite, and there is no action at all. Not near-misses. Not light hits. Not hits, not action, nothing. Chances are that the problem lies with how you are using it.

Topwater lures, regardless of type, depend on visibility. The fish needs to see the lure and be able to set up an attack. Statistically, the best times to play on this are during dawn, dusk, or overcast days. This may sound counterproductive because these are not the best times for visibility. This might be true for you, the angler, but not your target, the fish. During bright, sunny days or when the sun is at its highest, a fish looking up is looking directly into the light. This makes it very hard for them to identify the target.

Another consideration is water conditions. A calm surface is almost a necessity. Just like light conditions, it is all about being seen. Calmer water means less clutter for the lure to get lost in. It also allows for much better action from the lure.

Finally, there is the issue of bait fish. Regardless of the light or surface conditions, if baitfish are breaking the surface, it is time for a topwater. Baitfish breaking the surface usually means there are predators below and the bait are trying to escape. Putting topwater into the mix is one of the best tactics available. This is why I almost always have a topwater ready to go, just in case I see baitfish jumping.

Now that you know when to use topwater, let’s look at some tips for making it more successful.

1. Generally, the best way to retrieve is with a “walk the dog” cadence. The side-to-side motion not only grabs their attention, but it also resembles a wounded baitfish. In other words, you are offering an easy meal.

2. While there are many ways to connect a lure, I find that with topwaters, the best option is a simple loop knot. It allows for unobstructed action without adding any weight to the front of the lure.

3. One of the biggest mistakes anglers make when using topwater is trying to set the hook too soon. It’s hard not to. You can see the fish hit, your adrenaline is pumping, and your first instinct is to hook it. But if you wait for a second, you will avoid pulling the lure away before the fish actually has it.

4. It’s also important to keep your lure clean. Hanging weeds, even a long tag line, can be all it takes to make a fish question what they are looking at.

5. Finally, there is the question of hooks. Most topwater lures come equipped with treble hooks. The more hooks the better, right? Not necessarily. I, along with many other anglers, have found that replacing the treble hooks with single hooks not only increases the hook up rate it also prevents hooks from being thrown. Plus, if you are practicing catch and release it makes removal a lot easier.