Over the years there have been many articles written about top water
fishing for Muskies. Just about every type of top water lure you can
imagine; prop style lures, walk the dog style zigzags, buzz baits,
chuggers, creepers and many more. You name it; there have been fish caught
on them.

Being in the guide business, it's always easier to teach an inexperienced
angler how to use a top water lure. Most of these lures will float and are
easy to work; which makes them enjoyable to use by most.

Time of Year for Top Water

When I started going back through some of my records; I realized that
Muskies have been caught on top water lures of some type; every month of
the year at Cave Run. You are probably thinking that there is no way that
can happen. But Kentucky; as well as some other states have a yearlong
fishing season. After doing some research; I discovered that the so-called
" Top Water Bite " is not as cut and dry as we sometimes make it out to be.

I was taught not to use top water lures until the water reaches the 60
degree mark in the spring. I would continue to use them until the
temperature reaches about the mid 70's; then reverse this process in the
fall months. I will be the first to tell you that this will work in just
about every lake or reservoir you will fish for Muskies.

Water Temperature and Muskies

We all know that water temperature plays a major part in muskie fishing.
One thing we have to remember; when fishing especially in some of the
southern waters; is that water temperatures will reach the high 80's to low
90's. Does this create a little different top water bite? I think it does.
In southern impoundments water temperatures can be 80 degrees from the
surface down through the first ten to fifteen feet. Many anglers will think
this is too hot to use a surface lure. In reality; if a muskie is 10 feet
deep; the water temperature is the same as the surface. Many times active
fish will come and get a top water lure. The point is; it's never too hot
to throw surface lures unless you find fish below the first temperature
break. When fishing natural lakes in the northern part of the country or
Canada; it can be a little different. You may find some of these lakes with
high surface temperatures, but you will also find a significant change in
temperature down just a few feet. This certainly can have an affect on
the surface bite. The fish in some of these lakes may not be as quick to
come after a top water lure. I'm not saying they won't hit; but this does
create a different situation.

Let's take a look at fishing surface lures in cooler water. I think there
are peak times to use top water lures. When I started looking into this; I
was amazed at how many fish were caught in so many different conditions.
Myself and some of my guides are usually on the water by the first of
March. At this time of year we will see water temperatures in the low 40's.
This is where I first started noticing a little of this off beat bite. I've
always been one of the guys that believe the 50 degree surface
temperature seems to be the magic number for casting Muskies. The point I
 want to make is that a muskie will eat a surface lure at any time.

It amazes me how many fish we catch on small surface lures in early spring
with these water temperatures. Small buzz baits (rubber skirted models)
and small minnow type baits produce the best. The minnow style lure is not
referred to as a surface lure. I like the 5-6 inch Big Game lures, Slammers
, or Crane baits. One of my most successful spring patterns for these
minnow style baits is crawling them slowly across the surface. Just slow
enough to create a little v-wake, which in turn makes it a surface lure.

It's Never to Early or to Late for " Big Muskies " on Top Water

As I really started looking at all of my records; I realized that there
actually is not a bad time to use surface lures. Especially for Big
Muskies. Fish in the 25 lb. class and larger. Some of the largest Muskies
caught each year by myself, clients and colleagues such as Saric, Heiting,
Herbeck, Ramsell and Mania. Experience has taught me one thing. Big Muskies
like top water lures. There is a difference in Muskies and Big Muskies.
Smaller fish seem to be more inclined to pay attention to the peak water
temperatures.

Late fall and early winter fishing in reservoirs like Cave Run can produce
some really big fish on surface lures. I prefer prop style lure this time
of year. For me, bigger seems to be better this time of year. Some of the
lures that I really like are the Stomper by Musky Buster. The twin tail
works great especially with a little chop on the water. Top Raiders by
Bucher Tackle are also an excellent choice in prop baits. When the water
reaches 60 degrees or below, I like retrieving these lures steady and slow.
Walk the dog style lures will also produce monster fish. Over the years, the
walk the dog style lure has had a reputation for not being a real high percentage
hooking lure. But when I started looking and comparing Big Muskie s caught
compared to regular size fish; I found it was a little different for some
reason. Big Fish simply like to eat these types of lures. The percentage of
hook ups with big fish is better than we think. There are several walk the
dog styles out there. A couple that I prefer is the Doc by Muskie Mania
and the Phat Boy by Muskie Buster.

Bulging a buck tail is also not thought of as a surface lure; but it should
be. This has produced some of my biggest catches under all types of
conditions. I prefer twin Indiana blades, or twin turtlebacks. These lures
rise to the surface quickly and are easy to use. They provide excellent
hooking capabilities and offer a totally different look. You need to learn to
create a bulging look on the surface when you are retrieving.

In catching big Muskies on prop lures one thing seems to hold true. The
way we retrieve them. Slow and steady. I can't stress this point enough.
Most of the fisherman and clients that I fish with ; on average; fish
surface lures too fast. I like to keep the same speed that I start with
right to the end of my cast. With longer rods I am able to change
directions of the lure but not the speed. I find this to be critical to
this style of fishing. When you start speeding up and slowing down your
retrieve; you create a greater chance for blow-ups and misses.

Most of the time in the late fall or early winter we have a bit more wind
blowing than normal. Using some of the larger surface lures can be very
effective in rough water. A basic rule of thumb to go by is. The larger and
rougher the waves; the larger and noisier the top water lure you want to
use.

In summary, there are a lot of lures out there that are not marketed as
top water lures. Some of these, when worked properly, can make awesome
surface lures. A few of these are the minnow style or twitch baits. The Big
Game lures, Slammers, Cranes and Jakes. Twin bladed buck tails are very
productive. Speed is the critical part of being able to hold the bulging
wake just below the surface. Another lure that most of us don't consider a
surface lure is a 10"" Believer by Drifter Tackle. Snap your leader on the
shallow setting and hold a medium to high rod tip with a slow retrieve.
This lure can do some amazing things on the surface. I like the jointed
model in clear water and the straight model in darker water. These types of
lures can make a difference.

I know these lures work on reservoirs and many lakes in the north and in
Canada. Just remember that Big Muskies react a little differently. There is
no wrong time to fish a top water lure and it is never too early or too
late to a catch a fish of a lifetime on these lures.

1) Wait until you feel the fish before you set the hook. If you try to set
the hook upon seeing them strike your lure; you will pull the lure away
from them.

2) Any time can be a good time to use Top Water lures, remember “big Muskies”
can react differently than small Muskies.

3) Vary the direction of your retrieve. Move the lure with your rod and
change directions, but not retrieve speed.

4) For prop style baits; a slow steady retrieve really will pay big
dividends, not stopping and starting.

5) Don't forget to use bulging bucktails and crank baits as top water lures.
Create that V-wake for minnow baits.

6) Rougher the water the bigger and noisier you want your lures.

7) Upon completing your retrieve, don't forget your figure eight. Put that
lure under the water. It will greatly increase your hook ups at boat side.

8) Longer rods and super braid line will increase your odds and hook-up percentage. 
I use St. Croix 7’6” Heavy Avid & the 8’ Premiere.