I have had good luck using a dropper tied directly to the rear hook of a topwater bait. 12 -18 inches depending on water depth, use a single hook with your favorite jig body (I was fishing this long before Gulps were available or CT's) and a small split shot. A jig head or larger split shot effects the action of the plug too much but a small shot will allow the jig to sink slowly. Have often caught fish

on both topwater plug and trailing jig. This is my goto rig on short strike days but works almost anytime.Yes, you have some fouling

but with a little practice can be kept to a minimum ( removing

the topwater rear hook eliminates some of this

but also reduces topwater hook ups

)