Two scenarios: 1. pre-spawn, last week of May, and 2. mid-summer, first week of August. If you were just targetting trophy smallies (not numbers) what would you expect to be your best lure/location/presentation pattern for each scenario? E.g. Scene 1: I'd throw a Pointer 100 jerkbait along the first dropoff adjacent to spawning flats. Scene 2: Rapid retrieve with a Super Spook over the points of mid-lake islands.

I will say a Super Spook Jr in Florida Bass color, for both of your scenarios. I like to throw this lure all spring and summer. In spring I think when they see this lure they get angry and hit it because they think it’s a predator after the eggs or fry. In the summer I think they see it as a great meal and slam it. I like to present it to them in the “walk the dog” zig zag steady retrieve. I like to find rocky points with rocks about the size of bowling balls to softballs. If I’m fishing at night in August I like to throw a black hula popper. If anyone here has not ever learned to zig zag retrieval with a super Spook you need to. You tube has many videos on this to view. Hang on when, not if it hits.

I like your choices Spookmeister..........both would be considered pro bass tournament approaches. The Pointer with its neutral buoyancy could be worked very slowly with pauses and twitches.

Top water is always a good way to fool a big fish.......the line is largely out of the water and the opportunity to scrutinize your lure is very much reduced. If any lure is able to bring a big bass up from the depths in summer it would be a Spook.

Of course I would be cheating and easing around with a super crawler on 6lb test fluorocarbon or a spot tail, creek chub, red fin or sucker minnow and likely kicking your proverbial behind but like I said, thats cheating ;-)

Depends on the weather and water temps in early spring. If still cold and smallmouth have not moved up yet, I would go with a green pumpkin tube. If the water is warming and fish are moving up, then I would throw some type of pearl colored ZMAN ShadZ with my Zulu rig setup.

First week of August I would still use the ZMAN ShadZ. If I wanted more excitement, I would go with the Bullfrog colored magnum torpedo. Also don't forget the the Bullfrog Lucky 13 will bring some big smallies calling. If you have one of those new Whopper Ploppers you might want to consider throwing one of those in a 90 or 110 size. Throw the color called " I know it ".

quote mastertangler: "I like your choices Spookmeister..........both would be considered pro bass tournament approaches. The Pointer with its neutral buoyancy could be worked very slowly with pauses and twitches.


Top water is always a good way to fool a big fish.......the line is largely out of the water and the opportunity to scrutinize your lure is very much reduced. If any lure is able to bring a big bass up from the depths in summer it would be a Spook.


Of course I would be cheating and easing around with a super crawler on 6lb test fluorocarbon or a spot tail, creek chub, red fin or sucker minnow and likely kicking your proverbial behind but like I said, thats cheating ;-)"

Ha,,.no doubt! My then 9-year old son hooked the biggest smallie I've ever seen on a nightcrawler, tiny hook, and 4-lb test line. But I fish Quetico, so no crawlers allowed.

quote QueticoMike: "Depends on the weather and water temps in early spring. If still cold and smallmouth have not moved up yet, I would go with a green pumpkin tube. If the water is warming and fish are moving up, then I would throw some type of pearl colored ZMAN ShadZ with my Zulu rig setup.


First week of August I would still use the ZMAN ShadZ. If I wanted more excitement, I would go with the Bullfrog colored magnum torpedo. Also don't forget the the Bullfrog Lucky 13 will bring some big smallies calling. If you have one of those new Whopper Ploppers you might want to consider throwing one of those in a 90 or 110 size. Throw the color called " I know it "."

I've not tried the Whopper Ploppers up north yet, but am doing a solo trip this spring and thought it might be a good lure to troll while moving from spot to spot.

I first started trolling topwaters at Irregular Lake In WCPP. I had never been to the lake before and wanted to ease around and get the lay of the land and not have to worry about constantly crashing bottom with a diving lure.

I instantly liked the concept as I put it into practice especially when I kept going over shallow reefs and points. I was able to be efficient ( not getting hung) and I had confidence the thing would get blasted, which it did!

Should definitely take smallies.................plop, plop, plop, plop, slam!

Sometimes while I am guiding the bow partner slowly along a shoreline I will throw a Zulu (aka ZMAN ShadZ) back behind the canoe and on occasion it will get slammed just slowly moving along back there.

quote Spookmeister: "

quote QueticoMike: "Depends on the weather and water temps in early spring. If still cold and smallmouth have not moved up yet, I would go with a green pumpkin tube. If the water is warming and fish are moving up, then I would throw some type of pearl colored ZMAN ShadZ with my Zulu rig setup.



First week of August I would still use the ZMAN ShadZ. If I wanted more excitement, I would go with the Bullfrog colored magnum torpedo. Also don't forget the the Bullfrog Lucky 13 will bring some big smallies calling. If you have one of those new Whopper Ploppers you might want to consider throwing one of those in a 90 or 110 size. Throw the color called " I know it "."

I've not tried the Whopper Ploppers up north yet, but am doing a solo trip this spring and thought it might be a good lure to troll while moving from spot to spot."

I also think the "Bone" color will work well up there with a WP.

My niece just asked me what lures I want for Christmas, I told her she could get me a Munky Butt Whopper Plopper, she thought that was funny.

quote QueticoMike: "My niece just asked me what lures I want for Christmas, I told her she could get me a Munky Butt Whopper Plopper, she thought that was funny."

Ha..good for a laugh. And hopefully a new lure!