Brent Ehrler

Lucky Craft Topwater

WITH Summertime upon us and the topwater bite going, we figured that getting some advice from one of the masters would surely help out our readers.  Tracking down the Number 1 Angler on the FLW Western Tour was not easy, but here ya go. 

BTD:  Hey Brent, with the prime time topwater bite going on a lot of lakes, when do we know it's the right time or  what are we looking for.
BE:  I think that topwater bite starts with post spawn in the west coast, but back east the topwater bite seems year round. A lot of guys in the East do much better in pre-spawn with waking baits and buzzbaits and do it in crazy conditions.  I have had by rump handed to me a few times back east in the weirdest weather, that I would have never even thought of picking up a topwater.  Since the Tour is primarily back east, I am beginning to change my attitude about when to pick up that topwater.  It is more so with spotted bass.  In the west the post spawn seems to start the topwater with morning and evening bites. The fall has the bite lasting all day – with fish schooling and in wolf packs.  Now, on spotted bass East or West, it can be a all day topwater bite.
BTD:  What water temp should you  have you pick up your topwater and when to put it down
BE: In general its in the middle 65-68 degrees start and with the best being approx 75 degrees.
BTD:  What type of structure are looking for ? 
BE:  Each lake is different, When you have lakes with a lot of cover you want to work the grass and tule edges. If you are using popper style baits target casting and you want to parallel the cover as long as possible and just keep it in the strike zone. Desert lakes are a perfect example of specific target casting. It can be a long  extended point or as simple boulder in 10 feet of water, they are all potential fish holding spots. If you are using walking baits, you are primarily covering water and need to make long cast and parallel the bank over the depth you feel the fish are coming up from.  The depth will vary on clarity of water, water temp and just how flat out aggressive the fish are on that particular day.  One thing to remember on topwater is that is can be on and off like a light switch.  Do not be afraid to leave the light on all day!
BTD:  How important is water clarity –
BE:  its crucial – fish need to see the bait , the clearer the better and preferably 3-4 feet clarity.  I have seen the fish eat real good in pretty stained water, but in general  the cleaner the better.
BTD:  When do we know to throw a popping bait versus a  walking bait- 
BE:  Lucky Crafts G-Splash is more a target casting bait for me.  Any location or piece of structure and you want to keep a bait in the strike zone for long periods.    Its very similar to throwing the frog and working it in a very small area to get the action.  That is where the Lucky Craft G-Splash excels and has done very well for me.  I will switch over to a Sammy or a Gunfish  when I am looking to cover water or work large flats effectively.  The Gunfish 115 is my go to bait as it has just a different sound and spitting action.
BTD:  Do you cast to the bank - 
BE:  There are so many different situations, but in most lakes I will start off casting at a 45 degree angle back to the boat.  But as soon as I get bit in a specifc depth a few times , I will start parallel casting at that depth.  You just need to refine your presentation as the fish tell you what they want and at what depth.
BTD:  Do the rattles in the baits help you in clear water or should we throw a bait with no rattles
BE: The rattles in the baits are crucial- the gunfish has a completely different sound than the Sammy, its has more of a deeper sound than the Sammy,  but not quite the knock of a super spook.  Rattles are definitely a must,  I rarely have found that I did not want a rattle in my topwater.
BTD: Do we throw the topwater all day or do we just throw it in the morning or evening.
BE: As the season gets deeper – The spots seem to eat all day but as the season changes it gets better and better.
BTD: Lucky Craft has the Gunfish series that seems to spit pretty good,  when do the spitting baits come into play.
BE:  I really just like the Gunfish because of its ability to cover water and to come behind guys that are throwing a standard spook,  it just gives a totally different presentation.
BTD: What is a typical cast with a popper or a walking bait.  I've  heard that you should dead stick them before you ever start retrieving the bait and then some guys say just keep it moving.
BE: I just cast and keep it moving,  I have never been one to sit and wait for ripples to disappear – I am into more covering water and seem to have more success in that presentation.
BTD: What type of line  and rod  should I be using?
BE: Lucky craft has a new rod called a Sammy is perfect for the throwing the gunfish115 and the bigger G splash and then their new Pointer rod is for the smaller baits and smaller poppers and gunfish 95.  You really want the fish to load up similar to a crankbait rod and not to rip it out of their mouth. You can use any rod that will give you the ability to load up on and bury the hooks.  I use the Sunline Defier low stretch, 17lbs to 14lbs small diameter with a standard REVO from Abu Garcia.
BTD: how about giving us some tricks you use in your topwater presentations.  - 
BE: I will put more red on the belly's or throat and change out to red hooks,  - type of hook owner st-36 stinger hooks,
BTD:  last question is a killer one that happens all the time,  I am having blow ups and missed bites on topwater and I have just dead sticked my bait after the hit and I cannot seem to get them to come back.  What do I do to trigger these fish. 
BE:  keep it moving, never stop your bait. I experimented with just leaving it there and have watched fish reactions hundreds of times.  Just think of them as a cat playing with a ball, they want the action and you will lose their attention with no action.  There is no right answer to your question just a general response as all situations are kinda unique. When I have followers that I cannot get to commit, I will vary my retrieve. I have just found that in no case for myself did it work out just to start dead sticking the bait upon a missed strike. When they miss your bait they are still right there looking up trying to find that bait and most times will just swim off when you stop the action. 

Thanks Brent.