Thread: Topwater

Can't hurt to try, especially at dusk.

I would think they would smack a topwater if they'll nail the float. Like Fly2bTied said it can't hurt to try.

Years ago I read an outdoor magazine. Where they used a popper as the float for a nymph to fish for bluegill

Originally Posted by Fishfishwish

I was fishing with a float again today near sunset. I was slowly pulling it across the water to move the lure. Suddenly, a bluegill came to the top and slapped at the float. Got me to wondering about trying a popper. I ran out of time, but would like to know if anyone here has caught gills on topwater this time of year.

I've caught trout on dry flies when air temps were in the 20's and water temp was low 40's. Granted, trout are a cold water fish, but gills will feed all winter.

I think you'd have better luck with sinking baits, but it can't hurt to try topwater.

On sunny warm winter days , I’ve caught gills using a F3 Rapala .
Had them hit my float lots of times .

Agree, a twitched F03 floating Rapala (1.5") or F05 (2") is one of the best surface lures I've used. Another surface lure I use is the nose-hooked (no-weight) soft plastic such as a slim stick or this one minus the jig:

Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Years ago I read an outdoor magazine. Where they used a popper as the float for a nymph to fish for bluegill

That sounds like a good idea to try.
Bob

Originally Posted by BobC

That sounds like a good idea to try.
Bob

There are three ways of doing it:

1) popper and dropper - small popper with a nymph below

2) dry and dropper - big dry fly with a nymph below (mostly a trout thing)

3) plug and dropper - small top water plug (like a Rapala) with a nymph below (for guys who don’t fly fish)