top water dissapointing

Is it just me? I can not get bit on my topwater plugs no matter where I go. Normally I do very well on them all over,but this year   I am doing better on plastics.I am talking Bass & Northens. I much rather get hits on top. Fewest amount of fishermen this year than I ever recall,so it is hard to compare notes. Also we are all looking for more pictures. Do you hear that  E-man?  sam

Did well on the Clarion with popper..
 

W ell, I guess it is me, I was out throwing plugs after the storm & only got 1 blow-up which I missed. I guess I will try somewhere different tomorrow.  sam

I don't know if it could get any more exciting than watching a fish 'blow up' on a top water lure.  Be it musky, northern, bass, even crappy and gills crushing the bait as the water explodes.  
 
I don't know if it could get any more disheartening than watching your top water lure sailing through the air as the fish dives back into the water.
 
I don't know of anything funnier than the expression on a anglers face when they blurt out " AHH @%&!; did you see the size of that fish"!!!
 
I've certainly BTDT many times then, one day as the sun was 'just startin' to climb up over the tree tops in the mornin'. 'It was going to be a beautiful day; that was plan to see and I had 'gone fishin' with my buddy Bill. (almost sounds like a song in there)
 
Known Bill for a long time, better then thirty years I'd say, and when Bill made recommendations I would (still do) pay attention.  Doesn't matter the subject, be it equipment, fish, lures or, technique I pay attention.
 
It was after several frustrating top water misses when I remembered a day I had 'gone fishin' with Bill and he was commenting about this very subject.  "You have to count to one" he said; before setting the hook on a top water strike, you need to count to one.
 
Stands to reason; most anglers are taught to 'set the hook' at the first sign of a strike, be it a twitchin rod tip, tck on the line or, a submerging float.
 
Not so, says Bill, on top water strikes you have to count to one or your gonna pull the bait right oughta the fishes mouth before it has time to close it's jaws.  This stands true be the strike; a water boiling explosive hit or, a subtle little sipping action, count to one before lifting the rod tip!
 
Without further ado, may I introduce to you, my fishing mentor:https://youtu.be/iK_h-2kot6s?t=16
 
 
Enjoy and tight lines.....

I would think that with buzzers, when a fish stops it, it is already in it's mouth,so a pause isn't neccessary. With poppers or other top waters, sometimes a bass just misses or you move it just before he gets the lure. I don't miss too many because I expect to get a hit every time that I Pop it,therefore I am not usually surprised & jerk too soon. That is what usually happens.  sam

btdt, Did you see the video where Jimmy Houston was talking with some kids & admitted that Bill sets up a lot of those bloopers? When Bill,Jimmy & Roland where in there prime & considering the crude (by to-days standard) equipment that they had to use they were phenomanal. Too bad that they are too old to compete on the circuit now,it would be fun to watch. BTW Bill's cameramen should get hazardous duty pay. I went to a couple of trips with guides that Roland reccomended & did well each time.  SON let's go fishing. lol  BTW I read that each of them got skin cancer from being in the sun so much. Hazard of the trade I guess.   sam

JIMINEE CHRISTMAS  I can't believe my eyes BTDT that borders on the edge of blaspheme.  BTW I still get some strange looks when I say SOOON!  Hank Parker gets on my last nerve when he giggles after every sentence also. They all have a hook to sperate them,like Babe Winkleman waving that empty coffee cup around. Seriously one of my favorites is Doug Stange of In-fisherman until he starts reminding everyone of how they are the leaders in T.V. But they are very informative & show you how to use new things & places.    sam

mr.crappie
btdt, Did you see the video where Jimmy Houston was talking with some kids & admitted that Bill sets up a lot of those bloopers? When Bill,Jimmy & Roland where in there prime & considering the crude (by to-days standard) equipment that they had to use they were phenomanal. Too bad that they are too old to compete on the circuit now,it would be fun to watch. BTW Bill's cameramen should get hazardous duty pay. I went to a couple of trips with guides that Roland reccomended & did well each time.  SON let's go fishing. lol  BTW I read that each of them got skin cancer from being in the sun so much. Hazard of the trade I guess.   sam

 
Plus he's fishing his own personal lakes, so my early suspicions about the bloopers quickly became convictions. When I was with Word FM I had a great time fishing on Lake Arthur filming a show (with the guys who produced "Bobber with a Brain") for which had its share of naturalhilarious bloopers!