I killed it with the Jackall Pompadour last year.

I like a black jitterbug, pop-r in chrome / black back, spook jr. in bone, and a white buzz bait.  If I can't catch a bass on top using one of these then the bass are deeper in the water column.

Prop Bait...........WhopperPlopper, or Torpedo

Popper...............Lunkerhunt Impact Popper

Stick Bait............Zara Spook

 

The Torpedo is a great bait for ripping and pausing, where the Plopper is best when used with a straight retrieve adding an occasional pause, or twitch with the rod tip.

The Lunkerhunt popper is heavier than a PopR and often times I find a longer cast is necessary when they're hitting poppers.

What can I say about the tried a proven history behind the Spook. Walk it fast, slow, dead stick it, just be sure to mix it up and the fish will tell you how they want it.  I don't know of another bait that will call fish from 20ft. like it does.

To the OP - I fish totally different areas than you fish, plus I fish out of a boat 99% of the time, so my choices might not apply to you.  Lots of people have mentioned poppers,  I have a coupe of Pop-R's, but the think that the Lucky Craft version of the top water popper is a better bait because it spits a little more water on each jerk and it seems like it walks better for me.

 

Same for the "spook" type baits.   The Zara Spook is an iconic bait  and I own several of them, but I think that the Lucky Craft Sammy is a better walking bait, because for me it seems like it responds better and walks/glides better.   I don't think that color matters too much on these baits - I like a whitish/greyish belly, a red spot near the mouth of the bait and I like for the sides to be shiny.    If you're like me and distance eyesight is an issue,  a chartreuse stripe down the back of the lure makes it easier to see when it is resting away from the boat.

An alternative set of presentations that are also weedless, z-man has some interesting stuff.

 

The toads float with the right size hook, or sink slow with a weighted hook, but can still be retrieved on top. Looks a bit like a rage craw when swum underwater.

 

They make elaztech poppers too, same deal, can rig weedless and they float. 

 

The magnum fluke makes a great stressed out fleeing fish on topwater. I've had good luck fishing it where I'd fish a frog and then killing it in holes and twitching a little. It's a big meal, so the bites are fun.

 

It's a pretty low cost/risk thing to try out if you need a weedless presentation. For about 10 bucks you'd pick up three new presentations that seem pretty bulletproof and weedless.  In fact if you are interested PM me your address and I'll mail you some; they last so long I have more than I can use. 

Thanks to everyone who posted to my question. I now have a good idea what I need.

 

 

 

My choice for a popper is the Storm Chug Bug.  My choice for a walker would be the LC Sammy.

On 3/11/2020 at 4:34 AM, ike8120 said:

I would like to get some top water baits to add to what I have. I presently have buzzbaits, frogs and frog poppers. I would like to add some prop baits, poppers and stick baits.

I haven't seen anyone mention these.  Get yourself some owner twistlock 5/0 hooks and a couple packs of the Rage Tail Shads, or Rage tail toads.  It's an often looked over too water bait that is fantastic.  

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Rage_Tail_Shad_5pk/descpage-SKRS.html

On 3/12/2020 at 6:26 AM, JediAmoeba said:

I haven't seen anyone mention these.  Get yourself some owner twistlock 5/0 hooks and a couple packs of the Rage Tail Shads, or Rage tail toads.  It's an often looked over too water bait that is fantastic.  

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Rage_Tail_Shad_5pk/descpage-SKRS.html

I have some Noisy Flappers that are basically the same.

Arashi cover pop. Walks really well, and really seems to irritate bass into biting really well. It's usually the first topwater bait I toss, and 90% of my topwater bites come on it. 

On 3/11/2020 at 8:30 AM, scaleface said:

Bomber Long A Minnow , silver flash ,  

*How do you retrieve the Bomber Long A for best results ?

Sometimes all you do is let it set until the rings disappear . Twitch it on top , sometimes fast other times slow . Or cranked sub-surface . 

17 hours ago, ike8120 said:

I have some Noisy Flappers that are basically the same.

I fish toads a lot. I mean a lot.

I fell in love with the noisy flapper.

However, it seems that the differences in the commotion do make a difference.

Last year, I caught twice as many fish on a humpin' toad as I did the others.

The first year I started fishing toads hardcore, the horny toad and rage toad were most successful.

I have been surprised many times by casting to a spot 3-4 times with one toad and no bites and then switch to another and get bit.

 

I ask the fish if it was the bait or did they just get aggravated ...

They shake their heads yes than no and I got to let them go still not knowing why?

I personally like a Storm chug bug. I’ve only found the color that works for me at wal mart. It’s blue on the back with orange belly. It easy to work, casts a long way and won’t wear you out. 

zoom speed worm buzzed on surface is a great bait to fish from shore and is weedless.

1 minute ago, frogflogger said:

zoom speed worm buzzed on surface is a great bait to fish from shore and is weedless.

Never used a Zoom Speed worm  but have used  Ditto Gator Tails  and Riverside 5 inch grubs that way .Good technique to fish beaver houses .