So I buy this Rapala Skitter Walk...tie it on this morning...cast it pretty far out. Let it sit for 3 secs..then BAM!!!! Good fish, then my problems begin. Just about every cast, my line is getting tangled in the split ring that holds the front treble hook. It got so frustrating that I took it off and tied on a different lure. I twitch, reel, stop...twitch, reel stop. I'm thinking that I should have a steady retrieve while twitching, or maybe change out the front treble hook. Any ideas?

Gomer

What kind of line?

I use 20lb PowerPro on a spinning reel. I checked the Rapala website, and my assumptions were correct. The recommended technique is a "steady" retrieve with intermittent twitches. I guess the steady retrieve puts enough tension on the line to prevent it from being entangled with the front treble hook. Makes sense to me I'll give it a whirl next time I'm out.....

20# Power Pro is too limp, it will foul the hooks easily.  Personally, I use 10 or 12# P-Line CXX for this.  Works much better, no fouling, and is every bit as strong as 20# braid.  There's really no reason to use braid to detect a strike, since if you don't know you have a fish on a topwater, something's seriously wrong with your vision.  As an alternative, you could tie a leader, using some strong nylon mono, or the copoly line listed above.

I have had lots of trouble with braid on cranks, tops, and jerks.  I have completely quit trying to use it on those baits.

Try a short (2' or less) of a heavier, stiffer diameter (like 17# test) fluorocarbon leader on your 20# test PowerPro main line. Tie with back to back uni knots and then to your Rapala. This will dramatically reduce the lure fouling you've been experiencing, yet will maintain your feel and ease of hooksets. A great combo that works for me.

I remember reading a tip here from someone that said to use about a three inch long section of one of those tiny coffee stirring straws. You thread the line through it then tie on to the bait. This was supposed to cure this without affecting the action of the bait.

I remember reading a tip here from someone that said to use about a three inch long section of one of those tiny coffee stirring straws. You thread the line through it then tie on to the bait. This was supposed to cure this without affecting the action of the bait.

That is something that I would be interested in getting more info about, especially when I am throw those $20 jerks in shallow water next spring.

I use PP myself 15# mostly and always with leader 100% of the time.  My leader will catch the hooks on occasion but not the split ring, leader is too thick, the PP is much thinner and can catch the ring.  I never make a mechanical retrieve, I'm always twitching ,pausing and seldom with a fast retrieve.

I've yet to experience getting a strike on topwater in the middle of the night and not know it, most of my fishing is done in the dark.