Sorry for the late report. Fished the Wando Saturday with a buddy of mine. The top water bite was good. We caught 7 trout & 1 red on top water during the early part of the morning. Then we switched to DOA under of cork and managed 20+ trout and 2 flounder. Ended the day with an inshore slam and Nick catching his first trout on top water.
He must Increase,but I must decrease. John 3:30
Good job. I have never fished top water in the salt, only fresh water. I know in fresh i usually only have any luck with top at early light expecially when a little morning fog sitting on top of the water. I guess that must also be true for salt?
Just like bass fishing. Give a try and you will be hooked.
He must Increase,but I must decrease. John 3:30
Some days it’s a “low light” bite and some days it’s an all day bite, just like in freshwater.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
Will have to do that next time i go out. What are some good top water lures for salt?
That white badonkadonk…
May all your favorite bands stay together…
Does anyone use poppers or just spooks? I’ve never fished in SC before, but I’m making a trip down to Kiawah next week and I’m looking for some information. I’m guessing that most of the poppers you throw are pretty small? (2-4 inches)
Also, how do you fish the DOA/popping cork combo? any specific colors to use for the DOA? How far do you put it below the cork?
Thanks for the help guys
Mscorzelli, poppers are fine but I prefer spooks and badonka donks. Regarding doa shrimp, I’ve had a lot of success with the 3in in gold flake, clear, and clear with a chartreuse tail. I don’t use a cork with mine. I fish 10lb braid with a 15lb mono leader tied with an Albright knot. Let it drift without any action till it hits the bottom, just keep the line right. let it drag on the bottom with the current, and pop it up to the top of the water column a couple times before completing the retrieve. You can also try curly tail grubs on a 1/4oz jidhead with a steady retrieve. Good luck!
I use both poppers and walking style topwater baits. I let the fish tell me which they prefer but I always have both with me.
As far as the popping cork set up, tie your main line to top line tie on the popper/clacker. Then, tie a leader (I prefer 12lb-14lb fluorocarbon) from the bottom line tie on the popper/clacker to your lure. The length of the leader is relative to the depth you’re fishing. I like to use a weighted hook when the current/tide is really moving. Otherwise a weightless bait will spend more time on the surface than suspended below. You basically work the popper/clacker like a topwater bait. Vary your retrieve speed/rhythm until you find what the fish want. I like a “1…1,2…1…1,2” popping retrieve but again, the fish will tell you how they want it. The commotion caused by the popper/clacker on the surface draws the fish’s attention and when they investigate it, they find your helpless bait suspended in front of them for an easy meal. Just like fishing with a cork for bream, when it goes under, set the hook. Chances are you’ll feel them hit the bait just before the popper/clacker goes under.
There are probably several ways to fish this rig but that’s how I fish it.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
Thanks for the tips guys. Archer, are you using bait under the cork or lures. What types of lures/bait are best to use under the cork?
Lures. I’m not a “bait” guy.
DOA and Savage Gear shrimp, DOA Airheads, Gulp jerk shads, Trout Tricks, DOA CALs…anything that mimics prey. There’s not any particular bait that you have to pair with a popping cork so play around with it. In the process you may find something the fish haven’t see before but really appeals to them.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO