There is no bigger thrill than seeing a fish crash the surface on a top water plug. Whether fishing the serene back bays or a wind-swept ocean, artificial baits are a top choice of many anglers. After the first time the line goes tight after working a lure, you’ll understand.
Of course, the biggest challenge is deciding what to use and when. That is something that takes experience and time. Some plugs will crush the fish at one location, and be completely ineffective just a few miles down the beach. As usual, you have to “match the hatch.” In other words, find out what bait is swimming around, check your plug bag and choose.
There is a big difference, too. Let’s separate them into three categories: plugs, tins and plastics. Each one is productive in its own right, and with some practice can produce fish when other means will not.
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Plugs: It seems impossible to think of so many different shapes and sizes falling under one umbrella, but in most categories this is the case. For the most part, the more popular plugs are pencil poppers, poppers, metal lips and darters. Each one is shaped differently and meant to do different things on your retrieve. They come in all shapes and sizes, and are usually made from wood or plastic.
Pencil poppers are a fall favorite. The plug is long, with one end beginning a little bulbous and ending up straight and narrow at the top. This is where the line will attach. Two three-pronged hooks hang from the plug. A pencil popper, when fished properly, will create a lot of splashing in order to emulate a struggling bait fish. It is a top water lure and it is the most difficult to get used to when fishing. Fish will hit this plug hard, and most of the time will hook themselves well. The biggest thing to remember is that the speed of your retrieve is not as important as the splashing motion.
Poppers are another standard, and also come in many, many sizes. The plug will dance on the surface, provided your retrieve is slow and deliberate. An occasional twitch of the wrist will cause the plug to splash on top, and watch out. A good technique is to stop the wrist twitch from time to time and reel slowly, letting the plug lay on top and create a V-wake on top.
