Topwater Foulups

Post by **mattfsu7** » March 16th, 2004, 5:55 pm

I love to fish topwater when the weather is cooperating. My favorite is a TopDog/SheDog followed closely by a Chugbug. My question is how to keep the line from constantly tangling in the treble hooks. It seems that about half the casts I make result in this. I have tried a clip that I bought at Jerry's and it seems to help, but is not foolproof. Any other suggestions?

Littoral · Post by **Littoral** » March 16th, 2004, 6:00 pm

A 20# flouro leader (stiff) helps a lot.

Post by **Tom Keels** » March 16th, 2004, 6:02 pm

What Littoral said

Post by **mattfsu7** » March 16th, 2004, 6:19 pm

Do you use a snap swivel at one end and a regular swivel at the other or just tie the leader directly to the lure?

Post by **wevans** » March 16th, 2004, 6:42 pm

The two times that I notice it the most is if I don't stop the line just as it hits the water "I think the lure goes down and then back up and catches the slack" and if I try working it hard and fast in a chop "almost any kind of chop", I just slow down the presentation or go to a ChugBug which is better in rough water anyhow

Post by **Chalk** » March 16th, 2004, 8:04 pm

wevans wrote:The two times that I notice it the most is if I don't stop the line just as it hits the water "I think the lure goes down and then back up and catches the slack" and if I try working it hard and fast in a chop "almost any kind of chop", I just slow down the presentation or go to a ChugBug which is better in rough water anyhow

What wevans said...I try to stop my line prior to the lure being a foot or so off the water.

Post by **Jumptrout51** » March 16th, 2004, 9:59 pm

Thirty,forty years ago I had that problem also. What I learned to do to correct it for me was as soon as the lure touched the water was pull the rod tip to me to straighten the slack. Next was to be careful how hard you twitch the lure on the retrieve. Flip it gently side to side or even up and down. If I can teach my 12 year old granddaughter I can teach you. That is if you are willing to learn.

Post by **mattfsu7** » March 17th, 2004, 10:27 am

Thanks guys, you have given me plenty of tips to try. I hope to get out this weekend and try your suggestions.

Littoral · Post by **Littoral** » March 17th, 2004, 11:21 am

As Wevans & Chalk said, slow the line by feathering above the spool just before it lands. Actually, you should do this with just about everything.

Post by **Chalk** » March 17th, 2004, 11:25 am

I do it with Cajun Thunders too...

Post by **wevans** » March 17th, 2004, 11:39 am

Chalk wrote:I do it with Cajun Thunders too...

Yep, I know the line aint wraped on the CT when I can see the line straitin out and the jig land before the CT