I just started fishing the yellow magic this year with any kind of success. I mostly throw jigs
and soft plastics. I've heard how many fish people catch on these so I bought one. Had it for a while
but wasn't doing any good on it so I quit using it. After learning I had tied the wrong knot I gave it
another try. Now I am catching fish on it but after loosing a nice fish on it yesterday at Fork I have a few questions. What is the best rod, reel, and line for fishing a magic? Can you change the hooks without
affecting the sound and action? If so, who sells a quality back hook with the hair on it? Which size and
colors are the most productive or preferred? And as for popping style of baits, what makes the yellow magic different from the other popping style baits (ie; pop r's, strike king splash,h20 popper)? Best knot?

Leave the hooks alone, twitch twitch pause, 6.4:1 reel 6'6"-7' med action rod with 15lb mono and a trilene or improved clinch knot. Loop knot if you want. Yes they're magic and really do out fish the other baits. I take the h20 express poppers file the bottom lip down a little bit and remove the split ring. They're good baits too. But the yellow magic just catches fish.the price is high,but how often do you lose a top water bait?

yELLOW Magic or Splash- it. Worked fast.
Just sayin.

I throw the 1/4 oz yellow magic on a loomis GLX MBR782/Curado 100D and the 1/2 oz I throw on a GLX MBR 783. The 782 may be light for your texans. We don't get many big fish in Kansas like ya'll do. They are outstanding baits. I have almost all the colors and sizes.

When I throw them in trees

This^^^

I disagree on the hooks. The three I have hooks all bent on the first decent fish. Changed to Mustad and no more problems.

7' medium action, changed hooks right out of the box, no hair, work it slow or fast, depends on what they want. Throw it and let it sit 5 to 10 seconds and then work it. Hang on!! It's been my #1 topwater for 12 years. Change the hooks and you won't loose any fish.

6-6 medium action. 1/4 oz in alewife is deadly. The hooks do suck but easily replaced. Twitch twitch pause. They'll nail it on the pause normally. My all time favorite lure. And I NEVER loose a yellow magic. I've got out of the boat numerous times to get them off of the bank. I try to get them as close to the bank as possible there fore hang ups happen. Unless your made of money be prepared to go get one from time to time off the bank.

I prefer to use a shorter rod, a 5'10" Falcon Cara pistol grip is my favorite for a Yellow Magic. Paired with a Curado reel spooled with 12 lb. Big Game. I always use mono on any top water other than a frog due to its ability to float.

Agree, Mustad triple grip #6's & you won't lose anymore fish. If you get one in your hand it won't let you go either! They are some bad little hooks.

I won't throw a Yellow Magic without changing the hooks. The ones that come on it are sharp but weak. Several companies make the replacement hooks, including the feather. You can get them at Bass Pro Shops and probably Cabelas. Just match the hook size to the one that came on the bait out of the box.

The Yellow Magic is the most effective topwater I've ever used. This year has been a slow topwater year for me so far, but I throw a YM early in the morning...and late in the evening...every time I go out regardless.

Changing the hooks changes the action but that's just my opinion.

I've sort of re-discovered top water fishing recently. Got away from it for years, but bought a YM and a KVD Splash and have been doing surprisingly well. Bought it in the Bone colored, magnum size

Thinking about getting a few more. Has anyone noticed much difference between the Magnum and Standard sizes?

I change out the hooks to Mustad short shank triple grips. I like to use it on rods with medium action, which will make it dance a little more.