anyone got tips on using topwaters for smallies. like what topwaters, weather, time of year, and structure? thanks for any help! ;D

Zara Spook and Chug Bug are two consistent producers.

However, when the conditions are right for topwater, jerkbaits

are always a better option.

8-)

Starting out limit yourself to two colors.  White belly for cloudy days and silver belly for sunny days.   The color of the back really doesn't matter as much.

I did pretty good with some 1/8oz white buzzbaits last year.  I bought some cavitron buzzbaits for this year.

I like the zara puppy in a white kinda color

Sammys baby

I also agree with RW on the Jerks

Poppers and buzzbaits get my vote.

I agree If they're hittin topwater, they're almost always hittin something else a little better... but why would you want to?  It's topwater baby!

When they're hittin topwater let them! They'll be your most memorable fish at the end of the season, especially if you tie into the bigguns!  

Thanks for all the advice! ;D

Gets me all excited just thinking about that topwater action.

I like poppers when fishing a river for smallies, but prefer the walking baits (Spooks or preferably Sammy's) for lakes & reservoirs. Color doesn't seem to factor into the equation, but post-spawn, up to & including the fall period, produce best for me with top waters. And do NOT forget the original, floating Rapala! Twitched on the surface, this bait can be dynamite at times.  

Zaro Spooks and Puppies

Spitin Image ( one of my favorites )

Clear Tiny Torpedoe.

Jerkbaits--Duhhh!!!

Chug Bugs

Cavitron Buzzers

Rico's

For the past few years since they were introduced Horny toads, Rage toads and Ribbit frogs are becoming my favorite topwater baits for BIG Smallmouths. If you look really close you will see a Rage toad hanging out of the mouth of the little smallmouth in my Avitar.

Definitely agree with the zara spook 8-)

Sammy 100 or 115.  

My vote is for the Spook.  My biggest came on a silver Zara Spook...

Sammy 100 or 115.

Add the tiny torpedo in silver blue back with a larger tail treble hook.

I use topwater mostly for early mornin, late evening and night fishing unless t is raining then i will use it during the day, but i can usually find something else that works better during the day. I would definitely be takin some rage toads, buzzbaits, zara spook type baits and jitterbug type baits.

You can't say jerkbaits are always the better option. I think that has alot to do with where you fish. I caught well over 1200 smallmouth last year and 90% of them were on topwater. Keep in mind im not trying to brag here, im just fortunate to fish waters where a 100 fish days are common and have very low pressure from other anglers. On the rivers I fish the topwater usually out fishes a jerk bait 4:1 but on the lakes the exact opposite. Ive used almost every topwater out there and my most poductives are the Owner Cultiva Gobo Popper, Daiwa TD Popper Zero, Super Spook JR., Reg Super Spook in the fall for the hogs, XCalibur Zell-Pop and sometimes the Lucky Craft Sammys but the hooking percentage is usually low for me on those so I usually change the hooks on them to a smaller size. I Definitely agree with Edkras on the White Belly for cloudy days and Silver for sunny days. As for when is the best time to fish them? Cloudy evenings and mornings are always best for me but you can fish them anytime and they can produce. The good thing about topwaters is you never know what might hit your line. I caught muskies well over 40" on small poppers. Also keep your eyes open for the new Strike King Wake Shad. I've heard alot of good things.