Topwater Add Ons

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Pro Satff,
Have any of you ever added a bait to the tail of a topwater offering? Like dropping a small jig from the rear of a Zara Spook? How about a small twister tail on the rear of a spitting popper? Added any tubes, etc.? Johnnie.

[Matt]

Johnnie I have added a floating worm to the back of a spook before using a leader and also followed up a floating soft jerkbait with the same. I had mixed results.

[mofish]

Yes I have tied a small hair jig or crappie jig to the back of a spook before. It works but most of the fish that hit it are small. I have also put the crappie jig in front of a spook so it looks as if the spook is chacing the jig, and yes I have caught two fish at once with that set up. I love it.

Conley

[Eric]

Ive tied 2 scum frogs together using a 12" leader between them. Mixed results. Most of the time if I add to a topwater bait it is with a feathered rear hook. I do this with Sammys, Zip N Ziggys and Jr Spooks as well as some poppers. It definetly makes a difference on pressured fish or in clear water. Sometimes when the bass are following the bait but wont hit it, a long pause will make them nip at the feathered rear treble.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Eric, what color feathers do you use, or do you think it makes any difference? I use some Chug Bugs with colored tinsel that work great, they're pearlesant color with a splash of red. Never tried tying Scum Frogs together, but why not? Johnnie

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Matt, never thought of trying a floating worm. Can see the possibilities though. With a leader you could conceivably leave the rear hook attached. Good idea, will try.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Conley, Catching two fish at once is a lot of fun. I have done it with twin walleye jigs but not often. My Brother once caught two keeper bass on one Rat-L-Trap-TWICE in one day, yes, he outfished me, I think that's cheating, don't you? Wish we'd been in a tournament.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Pro Staff,
My best results with using a tandem topwater rig has been by adding a small, shallow diving crankbait to the rear of a buzzbait. This actually works pretty well. The buzzer fights to stay on top, the crank tries to dive. Lots of eractic action and surface disturbance. FUN! Have also caught fish using a Hula Popper with a crappie jig dropped about one foot from the front hook. Use a slow retrieve to keep the line from tangling on the rear hook. Thanks to all. Johnnie

[Eric]

I normaly use white hackle feathers but have played with grizzly hackle. I sometimes tie in a few strands of kystal accent, but not a lot. The idea of the feathers is so that they breath and fan out when the lure is paused, to much accent or tinsel over powers the feathers and wont let them work properly. Zell Rowland actually starting doing this years ago to his modified Pop - R's. Recently however there has been a resurgence in the " feather trick" I feel due to increased water clarity and angling pressure.

Also, if you try the grass rat idea. Use 50lb mono or a heavy braid. This is no place for lighter lines.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Eric thanks for the advice, will try it soon. I too think maybe the tinsel on the Chug Bug may be a bit stiff, but it does shoot out some nice looking light ray reflections. Johnnie