Finally got my first topwater red at 28in. This was definitely on my list of fishing goals - always fun to check one off the list! Makes your heart skip a beat during the strike. Caught very early using a big skitterwalk in mullet coloring.
Also landed (and released) a couple nice trout (17 and 18in). Its hard to beat topwater for inshore fun!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
Congrats! This was my year too!
Congratz!! You’re right on about the heart skipping!! It may be nothing new to some, but I am not an inshore fisherman, so the few times that I go during a year, it is still a blast to see them bust the water, whether the line comes tight or not!!
“Miss Amanda”
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Definitely on my list of “want to’s”. Great Job!
sounds awesome…on my list as well, just need to make it out early and try i guess
17" War Eagle 25 Mercury
17" Boston Whaler Montauk 90 yamaha
Nice fish! I put my first top water redfish in the boat this year as well. Because of where a reds mouth is located they miss the plugs a lot bc they take their eyes off their prey. I prolly had 20 fish blow up on my bait the past few months before I finally caught one. The hard part is not lifting the rod and reeling when this happens. I’ve been told to start slowly retrieving it again and they’ll sometimes come back around to strike it again. Easier said than done in my opinion lol.
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
Madfire I have had the same experience. A handful of blowups that I am pretty sure were reds but no connection. This one was a different story. Very aggressive - he bull-rushed it
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
Hey, you guys that fish topwater. Do you have any problems with the front treble hook fouling in your line? I was playing around with a Super Spook which has 3 sets of hooks and the front one would get fouled about every other cast. How adversely would effect potential hookups to take the front hook off?
Sidearm or underhand cast will foul less than overhand. Also, when walking the dog, try to give a little slack line between jerks. This is accomplished by moving rod tip in toward baiton every jerk. A tight line when walking the dog will foul a lot. Try jerking more and reeling less.
Great going, Opt!
Vinman
19.5 Triumph, 115 HP Honda
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What a rush it is!
Good Job! Optiker, how early were you out fishing? It still looks dark when that picture was taken.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…Proverbs 1:7
You are hooked now! My favorite way to fish inshore these days.
nice & congrats! I got my first top water red this year too. also, got a bonus because he was tagged. Top water fishing is by far my favorite way to fish!
Nice Opti!
Butters got his first trout on top water Saturday at dusk.
I’ve been fishing A long time, and if top water-water don’t get you excited you need to check your pulse! Keep up the good work it will happen more often now. Nice pic.s congrats
I couldn’t resist so here’s mine!
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
scfisherman89, although early and later is better, fish will hit top water all day long. Caught my first TW red at 150 pm. I have caught many species of black bass during the middle of the day on TW as well. I figure if you see bait busting the top throw it cause it cant hurt. Good luck in your quest!
When I used to fish in florida, we threw topwater from sunrise to sunset. If you are only in 2’ or less of water, a topwater plug isnt that out of place.
As far as the fouling, use a #30 flouro leader. It is stiff enough to not snag that hook. If it keeps happening, put single hooks on the plug. It makes removal much easier.