Outdoor living 6/22

While going through a tackle box recently, I ran across some oldtime lures I hadn't used in years although they still catch fish. I guess there are so many new lures on the market that an angler has to try that the old reliable lures get put in the back of the box. With the heat of summer comes some of the best topwater fishing in the Midwest for bass. The fish are vulnerable to your topwater offerings now, but actually, there is no bad time to throw a topwater bait, at least on Missouri's big impoundments like Truman, Stockton and Pomme de Terre. Over several decades, many Missouri anglers have come to appreciate this form of angling more than any other, although most will freely admit that other methods often produce more fish. However, nothing in the fishing world is as much fun as catching bass on top of the water. The strike is breathtaking and the fight as good as it gets. There are a number of these topwater classic lures that are worthy of any angler. These lures have become classics because they have passed the test of time. They have caught fish for decades and will continue to do so for many more decades in the future. Any list of these classic lures would have to include the Jitterbug, Zara Spook, Lucky 13, buzzbaits and poppers. Jitterbugs are short, fat lures with a large metal lip that causes it to splash and gurgle as it wiggles and rolls from side to side during the retrieve. This classic lure provokes vicious strikes. While fishing a farm pond, I hooked several large bass using a Jitterbug and I can't recall having a fish hit any harder. Jitterbugs come in a variety of sizes from some ultralight models to massive muskie size. This 70-year-old lure needs to be worked with a slow steady retrieve. When you make it do it's famous "plop-plop-plop" sound, get ready for some action. The Zara Spook looks like a cigar with hooks. The "Walk the Dog" with the Spook will help you catch big bass when nothing else works. Spooks, like the Jitterbugs, come in a wide variety of colors. For daylight fishing, the old "red head" has been popular for many years and still catches lots of fish. Black is the favorite color for night fishermen. Next on the list is the Heddon Lucky 13. When using this old classic lure, the most important thing to remember is to have plenty of patience. After your lure hits the water, pause for a few seconds before starting your retrieve. Begin with a stop-and-go retrieve, pausing between cranks of your reel handle. If that doesn't work, use a steady retrieve. Be ready for that explosive strike. Buzzbaits come in an endless variety of styles, colors, shapes and sizes. Many anglers only throw two colors of buzzbaits, white and black. Since this is a reaction lure, color isn't critical. Buzzbaits are surface lures that consistently produce good catches of bass, especially largemouths. You need to practice different retrieves including fast, slow and all speeds in between. Last, but certainly not least, are poppers including the old classic Hula Popper. The poppers come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. The most meaningful difference is in the lip or nose design -- the deeper the scoop, the louder the pop. Successful popper anglers develop a retrieve ranging from a slow twitch to a fast skitter. Poppers are excellent topwater lures at this time of year when the insects are active. I have caught some big bass and bluegill using poppers on farm ponds to big lakes. If you want to fish on top, don't be deceived into thinking topwater baits are just for early mornings, late evenings, warm weather or calm water. Some of the best fishing happens between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., especially with a Jitterbug or Hula Popper. As for rough water, a Zara Spook can be very successful in waves of 12 to 18 inches. It sounds crazy, but it works. All of these classic topwater lures are legends for a reason....they all catch fish.