I started fishing when I was 8 years old, and I will be 68 this year. I have written and caught thousands of bass throughout my life, but the one thing I love more than anything is the topwater explosion when a bass breaks the silent early morning surface with a rage some anglers have never seen.

Picture this: the topwater bait you are working at first light is slowly moving across a point in front of a grass line. The morning is quiet with nary a ripple on the water. Then it begins with a small wake moving from the grass, and within seconds the topwater is blown nearly completely out of the water and the fight is on. It's exhilarating.

If you do not fish topwater bass fishing lures in the spring, and quite frankly the entire season, you are really missing out on an exciting way to target bass. Let's take a look at three KastKing rod and reel combos for three different topwater techniques and see if we can't get that blood boiling when the explosion occurs.

Zara Spook Topwater Walking Bait Technique

I have won bass tournaments on more than one occasion by using a Zara Spook. Depending on cadence, each has their moments. I probably use the Zara Spook Jr more than any, with a frog pattern my go-to choice.What I like about the Jr. is its ability to make long casts – something the new KastKing ALTi Elite baitcaster allows for due to its deep spool. Match this with the Royale Legend Pro Topwater rod and I feel you can "sneak" up on bass, presenting them with an opportunity at an easy meal of dragon fly, small critter making its way across the lake or similar surface commotion.

To properly work a Zara Spook, you need to learn how to walk-the-dog. What this entails is reeling ever so slowly, while pulsing the rod tip, causing the lure to walk back and forth sideways, but while staying as close to one spot as possible.

On the terminal side of things, and this applies to all topwater offerings (except the frog), use a leader material of monofilament. Mono floats, and will actually not impede the natural action of the Zara Spook. On the line end, I use 15 to 20-pound test Hammer Braid in a bright color for easy visibility on the water. I also use an extremely long leader of 10-feet or more. This is a personal choice. As I get a fish close to the boat, I want the knot that holds leader to braid on my reel when I am lifting or netting a fish.

Frog Fishing for Bass in Heavy Cover

If there was one fishery where a drag was not needed, it's the frog fishery and largemouth bass. When KastKing first came out with the Deadbolt reel I was skeptical at first, but now more than a year later of using it, I absolutely love it.

Frog fishing for bass is exciting and heart breaking. Similar to the Zara Spook and other topwater baits, an explosion on a frog wiggling its way through a lily pad field is intense as it gets. The problem was always the hook set and landing the fish. After all, you know what the bass does when it's hooked – head for cover, which in most cases is heavy grass, pads or trees!

Before we move to the technical side, color is always a concern to most. For me, I use yellow, white and black. It's what I like, and they work in most situations. A frog bite is reactionary in my opinion, so a bass is reacting to movement and not necessarily a specific type of prey.Here is where the Deadbolt Baitcaster and Assegai Ribbit Rod comes into play. The Ribbit is a 7-foot, 2-inch rod with a rating of 12 to 25 pounds. The key is its fast tip, which enables the angler to swim, walk-the-dog or hop a frog. It also has the backbone to immediately set the hook and keep the fish from digging in.

The Deadbolt is key however, because I do not care how tight you make your conventional drag, there is always slippage. With the no-drag Deadbolt, the hookset is instantaneous.

As for working the frog, there are three methods I use, and in my opinion, that is all you need.

The first is with a popping frog from Berkley, and it involves a long deep cast to cover. Make your cast, allow the frog to sit, then give it a quick pop. Move a foot or two, another pop. Repeat several times, then reel in and cast to another spot.

The second is with a standard hollow body frog like the Berkley Swamp Lord. For this make the same long cast to cover, but then just slowly begin reeling the frog back towards the boat.

The last is the walking the frog. Use the same Swamp Lord and after the frog touches down, keep your rod tip high and get the frog to walk side-to-side. This method can be used in open water and cover, expanding your frog usage.

As far as hookset is concerned, I always allow the bass to "take" the frog. Some anglers count, but for me, it's the weight. When I feel weight, cross its eyes and utilize the properties of the Deadbolt to ensure you are hooked tight.

Buzzbait Topwater Bass Fishing Strategy

The Royale Legend Pro topwater rod and reel combo is a very versatile set. I have used this combo for throwing a lot of different topwater offerings, but its shorter length – 7-foot, 2-inches makes it the perfect balance and length for buzzbaits.

Buzzbaits can be fished in a lot of different scenarios. I skim them through lily pads, edges of Kissimmee grass and along bank edges where structure like fallen limbs lie.

On the reel end, I spool up with 20-pound test KastKing Hammer Braid and top it off with a trace of leader in 20-pound test monofilament. Again, the mono is used as it floats, and believe it or not, aids the way the buzz works.

The key to a buzzbait is the action, which may sound silly, but it is paramount. Buzzbaits need to run true and straight in my opinion. They also need to get moving as soon as they hit the water.

Make your cast to the target, then just as the bait is about to land, lock the reel and get it moving. If your buzzbait is lying or drifting left or right, bend the upper arm in the opposite direction slightly to straighten it out. Adding a soft plastic trailer is also a good idea.

There you have it, three topwater lures that will surely get the blood boiling on the blow up. Grab some KastKing combos and head out today.

Until next time, tight lines and screaming drags.

About the Author: 

Tom Melton is an outdoor writer and lifelong angler with over 40 years of fishing experience. In 1994, he served as Editor of The Fisherman Magazine on Long Island. He has written more than 5,000 fishing articles and columns and is the author of Fishing the Long Island Coast. Now based in Florida, Tom focuses on freshwater bass fishing as well as saltwater species, sharing practical techniques and gear insights for anglers of all levels.

Topwater Bass Fishing FAQ

1. What is the best topwater lure for bass fishing in different situations?

There is no single "best" lure—each works best in specific conditions:
Walking baits → open water and schooling fish
Hollow-body frogs → heavy cover like grass and lily pads
Buzzbaits → low-light, windy, or aggressive shoreline feeding windows

2. When is the best time to use topwater lures?

Early morning, late evening, and low-light or overcast conditions are ideal.
Bass are more likely to strike on the surface when visibility is reduced and baitfish activity increases.

3. What line should I use for topwater fishing?

Braided line is best for frogs and heavy cover, while monofilament is preferred for walking baits because it floats and enhances lure action.

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