🍺👍🤑. Texas rigged soft plastics and top water is my strength. I have been jacking on them with topwater for 40 years. For me I have fished it basically the same way all these years because it simple works and makes sense in my mind. I cast it out and let it hit the water (this alone mimics a bait fish feeding at the surface) properly placed it can get bit instantly. Let sit for 5 seconds, then 1-3 quick twitches from 1 o’clock to 9 o’clock. I fish left handed reels with hook sets up over my left shoulder) If you fish the other way then twitch from 11 o’clock to 3 o’clock. This top water twitch has tremendous drawing power( arguably the most of any bait). If bass are in the area the will generally bite. Now if no bite you must get the top water to the next area. The best way to do that is as you are reeling quickly give the rod numerous short quick twitches from 1-9 o’clock. This will make the bait “swim”/“walk” under the surface slightly with an amazing natural left to right action into the next potentially area/zone( this mimics a bait fish fleeing and or chasing bait) both of which generates bites. Then let sit for 5 seconds and repeat the above process over and over until your cast is back to the boat. The longer the cast the better. If bass are in the area. You WILL CATCH them especially over grass. This is most affective at first light and with a slight chop on the water but works all day. On extra choppy water you get more “misses” and on calm water you get more close followers with out bites but it’s all tremendously exciting. Topwater is one of life’s true “ natural highs”

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

I love topwaters as well! thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Love the "skitter" retrieve suggestion. Can't wait to try on our bi-polar Idaho (Snake River) smallmouth.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

good luck!

Always neat to hear the different fisherman ( bass, walleye, bluegill, crappie, saltwater, great lakes cold water fisherman, fly fishing) talk about the same common denominators that tie all of them together as anglers regarding their target species lure presentations. Linear speed, vertical speed, cadence (erratic/rythm) We as anglers are good at glossing over the basics with fancy, new and whats the best color. Thanks for the vid and keeping it grounded.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

You got that right!

I remember getting a super spook Jr from a guy and he said that you just reel it in fast ! Low and behold I seen Jimmy Houston on TV use it the right way I've literally been hooked ever since love to throw one

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

awesome!

Keep pushing out these retrieve videos. I’ve learned a lot. Thanks

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

All of these are very good retrieves and ones that I have also used with much success, that slow tantalizing retrieve is one that really has produced for me here lately!!! Thanks Matt.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Great to hear!

Good call on the mono line. I have seen on some KZread episodes hooks being bent out on trebles and braid, I believe using mono prevents that and better hook up to land ratio. Thanks for the vids! Doing last Lake Geneva Monday night for the year as sun comes up walking bait there is key I will try to go outside the standard walking retrieve maybe get some extra bites.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Great point!

Always informative! Thanks for sharing Matt.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Any time!

Under what conditions do you use a silent vs. knocker style walking bait?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

I only use silent in gin clear water

Thank you! I needed this!

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

Awesome video!!! Keep those tips coming because I am learning!!!!Stay Safe and God Bless!!!

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

Excellent video, Matt!

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Man Im learning so much from this series! awesome video as usual Matt!! 👍

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

thanks for the support!

Needed this one, Matt. Thanks

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Anytime!

This the video tip right here! As the fall top water bite is upon us and it's only going to get better. Keep them coming sir!

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Will do!

Good job . Always clue us in on the rods and reel you use .

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

ill try to do better

Thank you Matt.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

I like the pause and start

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

me too

I used a retrieve that you or Randy B. Recommend that he learned from an old tournament pro. It involves throwing your Spook out as far as you can, letting it sit for a minute, walking it hard 4 or 5 times and letting it sit, then repeat. I was fishing a murky river with my Spook practicing the technique...on the first couple jerks and stop a fish blasted it! and it was big. I thought "holy crap! It's a huge bass!", To my surprise it was a 22" walleye! That was really cool I thought. Still haven't got that big bass, but maybe trying some of the different retrieves will work! Thanks.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

walleye on topwater! Nice!

Awesome video!

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

I like the video nice tips. The way you use a walking bait is very similar to how I do it. The main difference is I like a 7'4" MH moderate action 14lb mono on a 8:5:1 gear baitcasting reel.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Good stuff!

Tuned in real good on this one .Knew you was tall 6 foot is a good rod length for me.might even go a little shorter .if I like the rod like I do . Appreciate Gonna check out that description.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

awesome!

Very interesting your videos about lures , technical fishing with jerkbait ( sorry for language ) Hello from Ukraine ✌🇺🇦🤘

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

Another great retrieve video

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

thanks!

Love your videos they are all pure gold. I love a top water bite but my arm gets super tired from jerking do you just condition your body and work through the pain haha

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Loved it bro

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

thanks!

It took me a long time just to get the right cadence down for walking a spook. I would see guys do it and make it look so easy and I would always get frustrated. But after a long time of practice, I finally got it down. Now I try to vary my retrieve by slowing the bait down over structure or a grass patch or whatever. I'm actually catching fish on them now, so yeah, there's that.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

sounds good!

@wolverinex4243

Жыл бұрын

@@MattStefanFishing Yet when I say they are hard to walk, people shame me. What a shame.

Great tips Matt. So, what are you doing next season ?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Not sure yet

Thanks!!!!!

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

No problem!

Hey, could you make a video on fall smallmouth bass fishing for rivers?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

ill put it on my suggestions list! thanks!

Love your videos. In the fall, at what water temperature do you stop using a walking bait?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

upper 50's

Matt, do you ever use a front runner? Like a Norman or PH customs? If so, does the water have to be cleaner for it to work?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

I do occasionally when fun fishing but its illegal to do in my tournaments.

Loving the retrieve videos Matt! I was fishing a skitter v last weekend and it just didn't seem to have the correct movement. However I was using flouro. Could that be the main cause of this or does it really make that much of a difference? Thanks in advance!

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

fluoro will kill it and pull the bait under water. I recommend not using fluoro

@tjwilliamson7882

Жыл бұрын

@@MattStefanFishing yep it would dart under the surface periodically. Would walk for a couple twitches then nothing lol. I will switch to either braid or mono. Thank you sir! Much appreciated

Another good video, I tend to pause a lot with my retrieve. it that a bad thing ?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

not at all!

What about the Coney Island Half-Step? That where the angler only lets the plug turn one way, stops it half way 'round (that's the half--step), then jerks it to the original direction.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

i like it!

Any suggestions for working this from a kayak. The rod clearance is an issue. Can you donthis by pulling to the side?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

yes you can but its more difficult

If you add more power to one side over the other you can walk it more to the left or right. This is helpful if you want to bang into a stump, branch or tree. Check out the thumb nail - Matt's worn the paint off that one.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

thats a great tip!

Holy cow Matt, I didnt realize you were 6'4". No wonder all your fish look small 😆. I really appreciate this series! I have not tried the last retrieve, but I will now.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

haha! yep i wish i could cut off two inches

@Strat642001

Жыл бұрын

​@@MattStefanFishingHey Matt, do you do anything specific for your back throughout the season? I'm 6'3" and notice my back will get to me after a day on the water.

Great info! I don’t know what it is about top water but man my hook up ratio is 10% I still love watching them smash my walking baits!!

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

we got to improve that!

@jasonrutherfordbassfishing

Жыл бұрын

@@MattStefanFishing that’s the plan!! I found the factory hooks on the spooks don’t keep them pinned so I switched to some KVD’s and it helped! I’ll get back after it next spring because without a good top water game I know I’m missing a ton of opportunities!

Love throwing a top water bait! I like to walk the bait really fast for a few rod "slashes" then pause and wait until the bait almost turns and faces the wrong direction where it would tangle up and then repeat, it's almost like the fish comes face to face with the bait and can't resist 🎣

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing!

How is the sensitivity of the mhx blanks Matt

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Phenomenal!

I find personally with me I start off slow at first and as I get closer I speed up the retrieve to help cut down time between casts.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

sounds good!

I can walk that sucker in a circle if I want to. I started with the spook 22yrs ago and it's my favorite of all time. I don't usually use a big stick bait but they are def easier to manipulate. Oh and straight mono is best no doubt.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

agreed!

Hey Matt, I have a question for you. I'm on the bank. I can see huge bait balls of shad. The bass are blowing up on them, but I can't get them to hit my lure. I tried a 3.8 and 4.8 Keitech on an Owner Flashy, spinnerbait, and a buzzbait. What is your strategy for targeting these bass blowing up on bait balls in somewhat stained/muddy water?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

Try to match the size of the bait

Matt, do you ever tie your walking baits with a loop knot ?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

I generally do not

When the fish are getting off thing off or missing your large top water walking bait would it be better to switch to a smaller one so that they can get it in their mouth better

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

its worth a try

This is right up my alley. I’ve been trying walking lures all year and haven’t got a single fish. 4 months of fishing top water and just got my first top water bite of the year yesterday. Lol.. Sad, I know. 🤣

@gerryhazelton9569

Жыл бұрын

Stick to whopper ploppers

@Triple87

Жыл бұрын

@@gerryhazelton9569 I actually got that fish on a Berkely Choppo lol.

@gerryhazelton9569

Жыл бұрын

@@Triple87 they flat out work . Just got a 4 pounder in Rhode Island with whopper plopper the big one

@gerryhazelton9569

Жыл бұрын

@@Triple87 they hate the noise . That’s why I avoid the diamanté and any walking bait stick to the real killer

@Triple87

Жыл бұрын

@@gerryhazelton9569 I usually fish with my son and nephew. They have had no problem with top waters this year. I’ve simply had zero luck. One time I was throwing a spook around and got nothing. I put my rod down for 2 seconds and my son picks it up and throws it. 2 casts in he gets a 4 pound largemouth right where I had casted 10 times. 🤣 Just my luck I guess. 😂

I favorite is a stop and go kind of like a jerkbait.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

nice!

The walking bait didn’t worked at all in my region ( Quebec ) this year . Question : The last video you made with the 3/4 swimjigs , you sent me a message with a phone number , (that i couldn’t see) that i won something, was it you pr just a scam ?

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

scammer. please ignore it

The more time with this bait an it becomes a mastery🎉 how we learned to fish bass because we grew up with all the best innovations in fishing an bass plugs ,the secrets are how to play with the cat take 1;2:3,4, an mix the numbers for cadence of twitches ,til u hear the flush.😊😊😊😊🎉

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

You got that right!

Clear silent and less clear knocker for most baits

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing!

No stop and go? Com on man.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

i had a stop and go in there, just not the same cadence throughout

90% don't know walking baits.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

I also want to say Vixens are terrible in chops. They go underwater. THUT says that Teckles are best in chops. How? It's the same bait. So much misinfo on the Tube that they need to be censored. BC they go under, I am no longer interested. I mean I've waited a long time to try them. I've always used better stuff. That's life. Sometimes by wanting more, you downgrade. Their marketing ploy is genius tho. Delay the lure and upscale that lure. Got a few and am not impressed overall.

@MattStefanFishing

Жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing. i love vixens!