Early Summer Topwater Tips For BIGGER Bass!

Tired of catching the same size fish? Ready to catch bigger bass this Summer? If you live on a body of water that has shad its not hard! The shad spawn is prime time to catch a GIANT post spawn bass! Here is what you need to know...

First, your best bet is early or late in the day. The shad spawn during low light conditions and the bass aggressively ambush the schooling bait. Second, focus on baits that "match the hatch" but also stand out from the 1000's of other minnows by adding unique sound (Whopper Plopper) or Splash (Popper) or a combination of both (walking bait).

Lastly, keep in mind that topwater isn't always your best bet for a big bite. Even during intense surface activity the largest bass are often hanging down below waiting for an easy meal. During these situations, turning to an underpin is by far the best way to catch a giant bass.

Walking Baits...

Buzzbaits/Whopper Ploppers...

Nose Rigged Fluke Rigging...

Underspin...

Tim's All-Around Topwater Setup...
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Equipment We Recommend...

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[keenanmoore]

Caught my new PB on a sprinker frog last weekend (5.75lbs). Going out again this weekend to catch a bigger one.

[joshuaflores]

Excellent video, gentlemen! Perfect length; extremely informative; and inspiring. I'm pumped about throwing almost exactly these lures, tomorrow, here in Southern California. Thank You! NOT BORING.

[pdbandit]

I have seen bass trap golden and emerald shiners here in Ohio against the shoreline and the feeding frenzy is on! If the water is deep enough try burning some sort of chrome finish lipless crank thru the school, it has worked for me.

[the_fishing_houndchannel]

Got into some shad on feeding on Monday first light was hand tossing a popper and they were so aggresive hitting it as soon as it would hit the water. Super fun fishing my favorite

[AlexRuddFishing]

Got on my first Whopper plopper fish of the year this morning. So glad top water bite is heating up well.

[oldhickory]

Over the years I've also noticed shad will come to the top right after a rain. I've always kept a bait on that was Heavy enough to throw a mile when bass are blowing up on shed like a lipless crankbait or Zorro spook. It helps to get out there to them. Appreciate the tips Tim.

I've been wanting to ask you or Matt a question about the river2sea S waver. Do either one of you file down the joint on the bait so it makes a wider turn? I see a lot of people on YouTube doing it I just didn't know if you guys recommended it.

[kbone]

U guys motivate me to become better. Thank you for the excellent content. Im headed to the boat.

[terrymase]

I would love to see a video about high water lvls in very clear water. Everywhere I have been in the past week, all the canals, everglades and any type of body of water is at least a foot or more above normal. I have been hitting around grassy areas and catching small ones but I want the big ones. LOL, I just got back into fishing after 27 year hiatus. I cannot believe I waited so long. FYI, you can see where I have been fishing on Fishbrain.

[williamjohnson]

Ask and ye shall receive. Thanks for the insight Tim!

[jeremynewhouse]

They will do the same thing to bluegill and baby bass. I don’t have shad in my local reservoirs but I have seen them school up on other bait fish.

[briangoodell]

What types of hooks do you like to use to replace the feathered trebles? I love throwing the gunfish, but need to find a good treble replacement for the rear hook. Thanks in advance! Love the videos!

[Hiei]

I’m going this afternoon til tonight. Hopefully I’ll get on the bite. It’s been pretty fire here where I’m at. Also just picked up a new curado can’t wait to try it!!

[MrFFP]

No shad in my lakes that I know of, the main forage is bluegill, perch and small minnows that I have no idea what species they are but there are 1000's

[everydayimbassin]

Bone Rover 128 is a striper killer at the Delta

[williej.allenjr.]

Hey Tim, I have several of the larger River2Sea rovers and the middle and rear hook tangle way to often. Are you having that problem and which hooks are you replacing them with? I'm still killing them with the bait but it's frustrating to see two wrong sized hooks on this not so cheap bait.

[CBALLZ]

I tried this morning hittin the Topwater. Got up at 4am, was on the water at first light. Threw the whopper plopper and a walking bait and got nothing. I don't usually get the chance to get out there that early and thought for sure Id get on a Topwater bite. Might have to try in the evening I guess.

[daveyjones]

I like the r2s big bubba chopper knocker popper, in pumpkin bubblegum...chartreuse

[mikemoultrup]

Are you guys not doing any videos together anymore?

[mr.fatbasstard]

Damn it Tim is nothing sacred!!...lmao
Might as well add Birds. They know exactly when and where to go... When we leave the parking lot there's no one there. While they have left or are leaving the parking lot we may catch 40 fish during the golden hour. Unfortunately the Shad drop only last a few weeks but we are on the water almost every day for it. No top water though we try to avoid the dinks and hit the perimeter as you suggested, it's already going crazy out there.
After the smash occasionally a big girl will come up after the Carnage. Don't leave after it calms down, give it a few minutes before you pack up and follow the birds.

[travisbrown]

How do you guys tie on the smaller bubble walker? Snap, split ring or loop knot?