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Got on the water about 8:00 and it was a little breezier than they said it was going to be. Tried for a little bit for a red since the tide was in, but no luck . Instead of going to a distant spot like I always do I hit close spot right off the mouth of the river. First fish in the box was a 21.5" trout on a pinfish strip. But after that fishing was slow. around 10:30 my buddy had atrout repeatedly try to swallow his cork before taking the strip.(annother 21.5" trout) So I grabbed a firetiger chug bug. I got numerous hits but could not hook up, and these were BIG trout. Somebody school me on how to fish topwater at the point of the strike! The weird part of the bite was that it was almost whitecapping, 5 foot deep and the water was stained. The water was 80 degrees and stained but not real dark. We wound up with 2-21.5", 1-18", 1-15.25", 1 huge sailcat and a big ladyfish. Only caught 1 short and lost one huge trout on a pin. But it sure was nice on the water

Them bigguns almost always strike short and the rougher the water, the worse their aim seems as a rule, I try not to set the hook hard on a top water strike in the saltwater "unlike when Bass fishing", that way if they miss it the first time, they still have at least one or two more chances at it before it gets to the boat I have also found that it does no good to hesitate the lure when the water gets much of a chop to it Ya'll still got a mess of fish and a day on the water

It might not your ability. What you thought where trout could have been Ladyfish. they harrass baits at the surface without taking them. Don't discount yourself.

I had on polarized glasses and could see the deep golden color of a mature trout. But I admit to sending my lure sailing, hooks blazing, Bass style back to the boat. Hit my buddy with it once, and still no hookup!

The only consistant method I have found for catching trout on topwater is to let them hook theirselves. If they're going to miss it when they strike, then they're just going to miss it and there's nothing you can do about it. Watch your line at the strike, if and when your line tightens up, then set the hook. Glad ya'll caught a few.

and don't forget always stretch those .5s into the next highest # , fishermans law..

If your getting short strikes...switch to a jerk bait or suspending bait, if they won't come to you, go to them....

Can anyone suggest a favorite go to bait and color for topwater? .......and how to work it.