ChrisD46

I have a spinning rod set up with 20 lb. braid only for a whopper plopper , everything else is braid to FC or mono leader in 10 lb. to 15 lb. braid - you are way too heavy in your braid selection on a spinning set up !

I have two Dobyns Sierra spinning rods : 702 and a 703 ... I use braid to FC leader and like the Sierra spinning rod actions for this line set up .

If I were to use one - then a paddle tail of between 3.5" and 4" would get the nod and preferably one with tighter , more subdued action . I would also look to choose a Super Fluke Jr. or a regular 4" Fluke with no paddle tail as well for a spinnerbait trailer.

Sad if if Academy gets rid of the H2O lure line up ! Good lipless , crank and top water offerings.

Your fishing experience definitely comes through in these pro "how to" videos - clearly a cut above Glenn and much appreciated !

*Another great , must see video Glenn !

For waters known to only have small schooler size bass up to 1.5 lbs. or so ... ML / F spinning rod set up with 5lb. ~ 8 lb. braid and 4 lb. to 6 lb. FC leader ... Zman TRD , small beetle spins , crappie single tail grubs , etc.

War Eagle Screaming Eagle Siebert Compact Spotsticker Mini Me

I should have thrown the Berkley J-Walker and YoZuri 3DB series Pencil walking baits into the comparison as they are becoming more popular and easier to find locally .

*Do not forget a good quality ball bearing as part of the spinnerbait blade recipe for easy , fast blade start up !

So , between the more common walking baits - what is your choice for easiest walking bait : A Heddon Spook or a KVD Sexy Dawg ? Also do you find the three-hook hanger larger versions easier to walk than the two-hook hanger smaller versions ?

If I replace spinnerbait blades - I use Hildebrandts as they are the best (especially their Colorado blades - they really thump !)

Another excellent video Glenn - always a pleasure to see what tips Dean wants to share (in this instance , Frog tips) ... Thank you !

Thanks for the replies - generally safe to say if water temps are 55 degrees or higher and / or you see surface activity - then top water is worth a try .

Here in the South , the top water bite typically begins when the water temp rises above 60 degrees and then typically diminishes in the Fall when the water temp drops down below 60 degrees . Curious for Northern bass fishing if such top water bite temps hold true - anyone routinely catch bass up North on top water baits when water temps drop down below 60 degrees ? ... Thanks .

I believe on the three hook walking baits most are #2 size so I use Owner ST-36 round bend treble hooks . For the two hook walking baits most are a #4 size so I drop down to the Owner ST-36 size round bend treble hooks . *The Owner ST-36 round bend treble hooks must have been made especially for waling baits as you definitely want that round bend treble hook style as bass tend to slap at a top water bait more often than not . Your "inward pointing" treble hooks are better for square bills and other crank baits where a bass more often engulfs the entire bait thus those inward pointing treble hooks shine in that situation keeping bass better pinned .

I appreciate the replies to date ... While there are Fall bass to be had by target casting top water walking baits - I find in the Fall it's about covering water on large flats , points and openings to creeks. While I am trying to figure out my rod choice (something in a 6'6" ~ 7' MH / Moderate or a M/Fast). I have stocked up on a few Heddon One Knockers , Strike King Sexy Dawgs and Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil 125 walking baits which are all just shy of the 1 oz. weight mark .

With Fall coming and open water shad busting the surface - what will be your larger three - hook spook / pencil popper top water set up (i.e. Heddon One Knocker , Berkley Cane Walker) ? *I don't have a rod selected yet but know #30 lb. to #40 lb. Power Pro + short Big Game #15 lb. mono leader on a 7:3:1 reel will be in play ... What will be your set up - especially the rod for your larger three-hook top water walking baits ?

Blue Label vs. Gold Label ?

Seaguar Gold label is perhaps the best FC leader material available - but at a cost . Unless I was a tournament fisherman , I would use Berkley Big Game , Maxima Ultra Green , P-Line C-XX or Seaguar Red Lable FC line for mono , co-poly or FC leader material.

Your preferred Free Rig set up (including soft plastics) ?

Spinning : Braid + leader using Sunline Sniper #7 lb. FC ... You can't break this FC line very easily . For mono leaders I like Big Game #15 lb. for bait cast braid set up + leader for top water and for Co-Poly CX-X makes for a very tough leader for jigs.

Robo Worms : Something in a darker purple and then something in a green pumpkin .

Proper spooling of line going on a spinning reel , switching to 3000 series spinning reels , 6:2:1 gear spinning reels , #10 lb. to #15 lb. braid and a large number of leader choices makes spinning set ups a deadly tool for bass that were unheard of 20 years ago .

The Zoom Horney Toad is the DeFacto standard in toads - for a reason .