The best topwater bass lures combine attention-grabbing action (through noise or visuals) with the ability to navigate heavy veg. I’ve consistently outperformed my friends and enemies with these six lures.
Last updated: December 2nd, 2024
Anglers.com, Community Coordinator, Wesley Littlefield, breaks down fishing with several topwater lures in this Youtube Video!
Smithwick Devil’s Horse
Ever wondered why some topwater lures get those massive, water-exploding strikes while others just get lazy swipes?
I’ve watched countless anglers burn through dozens of lures trying to find that perfect bait that triggers those heart-stopping blowups.
In my experience, the secret isn’t just about making noise – it’s about perfectly matching what bass are looking for when they’re hunting on the surface.
I’ve found the Smithwick Devil’s Horse is a 4½-inch stickbait that absolutely nails this with its clever front propeller design.
That surface-churning prop creates just the right mix of commotion and splash that screams “wounded baitfish” to nearby bass. Whether I’m walking it or straight retrieving, the Devil’s Horse’s three treble hooks make sure those aggressive strikes turn into hookups.
While this lure is a beast in open water with its lifelike action and ten color options, I’ve learned you need to pick your spots. Those same treble hooks that make it so deadly can also make it a pain in heavy vegetation. But when I see bass busting bait in clearer water, the Devil’s Horse is pretty tough to beat for triggering those explosive strikes that make topwater fishing so addictive.
Booyah Pad Crasher Bullfrog
The biggest bass are often hiding in plain sight, tucked away in spots most anglers won’t dare to cast.
Those thick mats of vegetation and weed-choked shorelines might look unfishable, but they’re prime real estate for monster bass.
The challenge has always been finding a lure that can dance through the salad without getting hung up every other cast.
I’ve found my answer in the Booyah Pad Crasher Bullfrog. At 0.64 ounces, this 100% weedless frog glides through the worst vegetation you can throw at it. The dual sharp hooks stay protected until a bass commits, while the lifelike design and seven color options give you the perfect match for your local waterway.
I especially love how it creates that irresistible “plop-plop” sound that triggers strikes even in the thickest cover.
When I’m working shoreline vegetation that most anglers skip past, this is my go-to lure. My favorite approach is a stop-and-go retrieve – let it sit motionless in openings, then twitch it across the slop.
Sure, it only comes in one size, but I’ve found that size to be just right for drawing those explosive strikes from big bass hiding in the thick stuff. There’s nothing quite like seeing a bass blast through a mat of weeds to crush this frog.
Arbogast Hula Popper
Looking for that sweet spot between subtle finesse and all-out commotion?
There’s a reason old-school anglers have been reaching for poppers for decades, but finding one with the right balance of sound and action can be tricky. Most poppers either make too much noise and spook fish, or they’re too subtle to grab attention.
That’s why I keep coming back to the Arbogast Hula Popper. This ⅜-ounce classic combines that signature popping sound with a pulsating skirt that drives bass crazy.
With 13 color options, you can match whatever the bass are feeding on. I’ve found the sweet spot is working it around grass edges and weed beds, where that popping action really shines at drawing strikes.
While I love how this lure performs, there are a couple things to watch for. The hooks can get rusty if you don’t take care of them, and at ⅜ ounce, it’s a bit light for long casts, especially on windy days.
Don’t be tempted to add weight though – it’ll kill that perfect topwater action. But for those times when you can get it where you want it, few lures are more exciting to fish. That distinctive “pop-splash” followed by a bass explosion is what topwater fishing is all about.
Arbogast Jitterbug
If you’ve never experienced the unique thrill of night fishing for bass, you’re missing out on some of the most exciting strikes imaginable.
Most anglers pack it in when the sun goes down, but that’s exactly when some of the biggest bass become most active. The trick is finding a lure that can call them up from the depths in low light conditions.
That’s where the Arbogast Jitterbug really shines. Its double-cupped lip creates that signature gurgling sound that’s become legendary among nighttime anglers.
With 16 color variations and dual treble hooks, I can match any conditions while ensuring solid hookups. The vibration this lure creates in the water is something special – you can actually feel those cups churning water through your rod tip.
Night fishing requires a different approach, and this lure is perfectly designed for it. I especially love throwing the darker colors during nighttime or rainy conditions – they create a better silhouette without spooking fish.
While you’ll need to be careful around weeds due to those treble hooks, the Jitterbug’s ability to call up bass in low-light conditions is unmatched. There’s nothing quite like hearing that rhythmic gurgling sound suddenly interrupted by a massive surface blow-up in the dark.
Heddon Zara Spook
Success in fishing often comes down to mastering a few time-tested techniques. Walking the dog is one of those skills that separates casual anglers from consistent producers, but many find it frustrating to learn.
The key is having a lure that does most of the work for you.
This is where the Heddon Zara Spook truly excels. At ¾ ounce, this classic design has the perfect weight and balance to create that hypnotic side-to-side walking action that drives bass crazy.
With 17 color options, I can match any conditions I encounter. What really impresses me is how this lure lets me cover water – its subtle swimming action calls in bass from impressive distances.
The beauty of the Zara Spook lies in its versatility. I’ve found that adapting your retrieve to the conditions is crucial – speed it up on warm, sunny days when bass are active, and slow it down during cold, cloudy conditions. While some might list its treble hooks as a con, I’ve found they’re part of what makes this lure so effective.
Heddon’s reputation for quality shows in every detail of this lure, and there’s a reason it’s been a staple in serious anglers’ tackle boxes for generations. When I’m faced with clear water and pressured bass, this is often my confidence bait.
Booyah Buzz Buzzbait
Sometimes the most vicious strikes come when you throw subtlety out the window. When bass are aggressive and the conditions are right, there’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of a bass demolishing a buzzbait.
But many anglers shy away from these lures, thinking they’re too specialized or difficult to fish effectively.
Don’t be those guys.
I’ve found the Booyah Buzz Buzzbait strikes the perfect balance of chaos and control. At ½ ounce, its unique clacker-blade combo creates an irresistible commotion that triggers reaction strikes.
What sets this one apart is the 55-strand bio-flex silicone skirt – it pulses and breathes in the water, adding extra life to an already enticing presentation.
I particularly love throwing this lure on those hot, muggy days when bass are actively feeding. The black color profile provides a perfect silhouette against the sky, and the loud presentation helps bass locate it even in stained water.
While you’ll want to be careful around heavy cover since it’s not weedless, this buzzbait really shines in open water and around sparse vegetation. When largemouth are in an aggressive mood, that distinctive buzz-clack sound is often all it takes to trigger explosive strikes.
Heddon Super Spook
Many anglers battle with the dilemma of maintaining separate tackle boxes for fresh and saltwater fishing.
Between corrosion concerns and different fish behaviors, finding versatile lures that excel in both environments can feel impossible.
The real challenge is finding something that can withstand harsh saltwater conditions while still maintaining the action that triggers strikes.
That’s what makes the Heddon Super Spook such a standout. With sizes ranging from ½ to 1 ounce and an impressive array of 39 color patterns, this beefed-up spook is built for serious fishing.
I particularly love the red-accented patterns – they perfectly mimic an injured baitfish when you’re walking the dog. The three saltwater-grade treble hooks aren’t just durable; they dramatically improve your hookup ratio when those aggressive strikes come.
I’ve found the key to success with this lure is mixing up your retrieval rhythm. Start with a steady walk-the-dog, then throw in some erratic movements that make it look like an injured baitfish.
The Super Spook’s robust construction handles both the violent strikes and harsh saltwater conditions, while still maintaining that irresistible action that makes it just as deadly in freshwater. Whether I’m working inshore waters or hitting my favorite largemouth spots, this is one of those rare lures that earns its place in both of my tackle boxes.
How to Choose the Best Topwater Lure
There are a few important factors to consider when choosing a topwater lure. Each one of the lures featured in this article has at least one of these components, so you’ll soon understand why they impact the success of your fishing.
Noise
The first and most important thing to look for in your lure is something that makes noise. When we look at lures like poppers, jitterbugs, and buzz baits, they all have a noise component. In some way, shape, or form, they create a loud presentation in the water to attract attention.
It’s impossible to say which one is the best because they’re all good in their own way. For example, topwater poppers make a lot of noise when they hit the water, whereas buzz baits only make noise when you retrieve them.
There are different strategies for fishing all of these lures, so you have to keep that in mind and find something that works best for your fishing style.
Weed Management
Now, when we look at a lot of these noisy lures, they don’t offer much to protect you from building up weeds on the bait. This is where lures like the frog come in. This lure is meant to be fished in the weeds because that’s where frogs hang out.
You need to have a way to control weeds when fishing topwaters because most of your best fishing moments will come around or inside weed beds. Bass are most likely to strike the surface in murky and mucky areas, so you’ll want to keep the weeds off your lure; otherwise, you’ll mess up your presentation and likely go home empty-handed.
Hooks
Having a high-quality hook on your topwater lure is critical to your success. Much of the time, stock hooks that come with the lure are low-quality, and you’ll want to replace them with a better treble hook.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to topwater fishing, I’ve found my most productive days come down to matching my lure choice to the conditions I’m facing. For aggressive fish in open water, I’ll typically start with a walking bait like the Devil’s Horse or Zara Spook.
When I’m dealing with heavy cover, nothing beats the weedless design of the Pad Crasher Frog. For those low-light conditions or when fish are a bit more hesitant, the subtle presentation of a popper often seals the deal.
Want to dial in exactly which topwater presentations are working best on your local waters? Drop a comment below with your favorite bass spots and the conditions you’re fishing. I’ll share some specific techniques that have worked for me in similar situations.
I check these comments daily and love helping fellow anglers unlock the excitement of topwater fishing!
