WALK THE DOG
WALKING BAITS GEAR GUIDE
ASK ANY ANGLER WHAT THEIR FAVORITE TECHNIQUE IS for catching bass , and you can bet that topwater is going to rank pretty high on the list . Known for catching big bass and producing explosive strikes , topwater walking baits are crucial any time you see fish feeding near the surface – and even when they ’ re not visually feeding , they can be the key to unlocking big bites .
In this guide , we ’ ll take a look at the best gear to use , cover some modifications and rigging techniques , and also provide some helpful tips and insight on color selection . Suggested Baits : Evergreen SB Topwater Plugs ( pictured – 125mm Bone ) Heddon One Knocker Spook Walking Bait Berkley Cane Walker
RETRIEVE TECHNIQUE
To walk the dog , make your cast and let the rings from the splash settle before you begin working the bait . With your rod pointed down , use your wrist to twitch the rod tip toward the water and move the bait side-to-side while simultaneously reeling the slack that has just been created . The amount of forward movement will depend on the reel , while the amount of side-to-side movement will depend on the rod . The key is finding the balance between the two to generate your ideal action .
REELS
There are a host of situations that require an angler to take up line quickly in order to successfully land a fish with a walking bait . A high-speed casting reel with a 7:1 to 9:1 gear ratio will have the speed to fish at a faster pace and cover water more efficiently . Every time you impart the ‘ walk-the-dog ’ action with your rod tip , you ’ re introducing some slack into your line , so having more speed will help you work the bait faster and more aggressively . Suggested Reels : Abu Garcia REVO SX Rocket Casting Reel ( pictured ) Lew ' s HyperSpeed LFS Casting Reel Daiwa Zillion 10.0 TW Casting Reels
RODS Topwater walking baits typically range from 3 to 8 inches in length , so the spectrum of applicable rods varies greatly depending on what lure you choose . For the most part , the range could encompass a graphite rod that is 6 ’ 8 ” to 7 ’ 6 ” in length with a medium to medium-heavy power and a moderate to moderate-fast taper . The ideal balance incorporates enough length for increased castability , a soft enough tip that won ’ t rip out the treble hooks , and a shorter handle length for improved handling . Suggested Rods : Abu Garcia Vendetta Casting Rod 7 ' Medium Winch ( pictured ) St . Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod 7 ' 1 " Med Moderate Shimano Poison Adrena Casting Rod 7 ' 3 " Med Heavy
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LINE Floating line is imperative to getting the right action out of your walking baits , so braided and monofilament fishing lines are preferred as they remain on top of the water during your retrieve . Many anglers will use a 30- to 50-pound-test braided main line for its exceptional castability and quick response when twitching the lure .
COLORS
Walking baits are great at imitating shad and baitfish , so the most common colors used throughout the year mimic these kinds of forage . Flashy chrome and translucent shad patterns are great for bluebird skies , high sun and clear water , while black , white , and bone colors that are less reflective produce a better silhouette with cloudy or overcast conditions . If you ’ re fishing shallow water during the spring months near potential bluegill beds or fry-guarding bass , chartreuse- or bluegill-colored walking baits are fantastic choices when you know the fish are spawning .
MODIFICATIONS AND RIGGING
If you ’ re having trouble getting the right walking action out of your lure , consider adding a split ring or a snap to your line tie to give it a wider range of motion . Using a snap also allows for swapping out lures quickly without having to retie every time . Tying a loop knot on your walking baits will also help you impart action by giving your lure a wider range of motion . Enhance appeal by adding a feathered treble on the back or try swapping out the front hook with a red treble to provide the fish with a more visible strike target and improve your hook-up ratio .
When the fish are short-striking or missing your lure , downsizing to a smaller size walking bait or switching colors can make a huge difference and help improve your hook-up ratio . On the flip side , fishing a bigger walking bait with more sound in windy conditions will allow a fish to track the lure better when there ’ s a lot of surface disturbance .
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24 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2022