I am hopelessly addicted to topwater fishing ... been bank fishing a few different spots this spring with a variety of baits of the Pop-R type. Was on a pretty good string of landing maybe 2/3 of my bites but in the last couple of trips I am 0 for my last 8. These are good, aggressive bites and the hooks are sharp. What's your ratio of topwater bites to hook ups?

-Steve

Don't set the hook on a pop'r or walking bait. Just keep chugging it until the fish takes it down and reel down on it. In many cases they will hit at it 2-3 times before they actually take it down so if you set the hook on the first or second hit you will jerk it away from the fish. It's way easier said than done. About 3 weeks ago during the shad spawn I had one hit 3 times real quick at a giant walking bait so thought it was a white bass. I just kept chugging along and on the 4th hit she took it down. I was really surprised how big it was on her first jump and she ended up over 7 lbs.

Discipline required. Remember the old saying "Work the bait till you feel the weight". My heaviest bass nipped at my topwater 3 times before she took it.