Few freshwater fish can provide the same level of excitement that a 40-inch
muskie does when it bites your line. When they hit a topwater lure, there
may be no equivalent. To get your adrenaline-junkie juices flowing, follow
our topwater cheat sheet.
May 30, 2007
Stickbaits
These cigar-shaped topwaters have little built-in action, but they have a weight in the tail that makes the head angle slightly upward. Because of this design, you'll have to you "walk" them across the surface.
When to use 'em: Stickbaits are especially effective in clear water, where fish can get a good look at the lure. Their action is not as intense as most other topwaters, so they are not as effective in low-clarity waters or when the surface is choppy. They don't work well in closely spaced bulrushes or other emergent weeds, either, as their lateral action tends to snag stems.
How to fish 'em: To walk a stickbait, impart a series of sharp downward twitches with your rod tip to cause the lure to from jump from side to side. After casting, simply point your rod at the lure and make a downward twitch, stopping your rod in a nearly vertical position. Then reel up slack while raising the rod to point at the lure again and make another quick, downward twitch. Experiment with the length and speed of your twitches until the bait jumps across the surface with a side-to-side action.
Best bet: Poe's Giant Jackpot is one of the few muskie-sized stickbaits on the market. Another good choice is the five-inch Zara Super Spook.
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