Choosing the best topwater lure is all about knowing what fish you’re targeting, where they are, and what you need to do to attract them. In this article, we’re outlining the best choices for topwater lures, why they’re the best, and how you can make the most use of them when you’re on the water.
6 Best Topwater Lures: Our Picks
Here’s our picks for the six best topwater lures of now and later. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced angler, these lures come from the most trusted brands in the industry.
1. Booyah Buzzbait 
Lure Type: Buzzbait
Weight: ½ ounce
Best For: Bass
Pros:
- Very loud
- Blade creates a reflection
- Variety of colors
Cons:
- Easy to get caught in the weeds
Buzzbaits are great topwater lures because they make a lot of noise and often come with blades that reflect light as well. When you combine these two components together you have a lethal lure that is sure to bring upon success on the water.
Learning how to fish with buzzbaits does take a bit of getting used to and it’s not something that I would recommend to an immediate beginner, but that’s not to say you couldn’t pick up on it pretty quick with the right experience.
2. Arbogast Hula Popper
Lure Type: Topwater popper
Weight: ⅜ ounce
Best For: Bass
Pros:
- Loud presentation
- Sharp hooks
- Great for high humidity days
Cons:
- Very light
Hula poppers are another loud and obnoxious lure that really drive the bass crazy. If you’re after ornery bass in small ponds and lakes, these lures will do the trick. They’re easy to fish with and don’t require a lot of presentation because all the action comes from the recessed mouth. They’re generally made with some type of wood, likely balsa.
The dip in the mouth causes the lure to make a popping or chugging sound as you maneuver them through the water. I recommend using these right before the rain in the middle of the day during the summer.
3. Heddon Spook
Lure Type: Spook
Weight: ¾ ounce
Best For: Bass, panfish, other
Pros:
- Popular
- Simple to fish with
- Easy to present
Cons:
- A bit heavy for panfish
Spooks will always lead the way when it comes to topwater lures. They’re simple to fish with, easy to get the hang of, and powerful if you know how to use them. I recommend going specifically with Heddon spooks because you have brand recognition to back up the purchase. They have a strong reputation and all their products are amazing.
4. Booyah Bullfrog
Lure Type: Topwater frog 
Weight: ¾ ounce
Best For: Bass
Pros:
- One of the best weed lures
- Realistic appearance
- Easy hookset
Cons:
- One size only
A lot of people have a hard time getting into topwater frogs because they require you to create the entire presentation yourself. That said, fishing frogs is easy once you understand how to do that. All you’re going to do is find an opening in the grass and toss the lure right over there. Twitch and move it a few times and then let it rest. If you don’t get a nibble after a few minutes, reel it in and try again.
5. Rapala Floating Minnow
Lure Type: Suspended stickbait
Weight: 3/16 ounces
Best For: Versatile
Pros:
- Can be used for a variety of different species
- Easy to present
- Comes with three treble hooks
Cons:
- Not weedless
The floating minnows are one of the most popular lures to ever hit the market. If you want to know how to fish a topwater, this is where you start.
It’s a standard stickbait that doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary but I recommend choosing a color that can help with the “injured baitfish” appearance. By jerking the rod tip slightly and using a red lure you’re telling oncoming fish that this baitfish is hurt and it’ll be an easy meal.
6. Smithwick Devil’s Horse
Lure Type: Stickbait
Weight: ⅜ ounces
Best For: Versatile
Pros:
- Loud propeller presentation
- Great for topwater fishing
- Three treble hooks
Cons:
- Not good in the weeds
Attracting fish like bass and trout is all about drawing as much attention as possible to the lure. This applies especially when the water is murky and cloudy. When that’s the case, you can’t rely on sight so you need to focus on sound.
The Smithwick Devil’s Horse has a front and rear propeller that will make a ton of noise as it navigates through the water. This will allow you to get attention whether the water is clear or not.
Choosing the Right Topwater Lures
There are a few very important factors to keep in mind when you’re shopping around for topwater lures. Having the best gear is one thing but you need to know how to use it. If you’ve never fished this style of lure before you’ll want to study up on the following section to get an idea of which lure you should choose.
Weed Control
Topwater lures won’t necessarily bring on as many weeds as others because they’re floating on top. Deep diving crankbaits or soft plastics need better protection from weeds because they’re floating through the middle of the water column and even scraping across the bottom.
That said, a lot of the best topwater fishing occurs in the weedy areas along the shoreline so you’ll need a bit of protection from the weeds.
Many of the stickbaits you see above have two or three treble hooks which are terrible for weed management and only intended to fish in the open water. If you’re looking for something that is better for the weeds you’ll want to go with a buzzbait, spinnerbait, or topwater frogs.
Noise/Attractant
Every lure needs something that will attract the fish. Topwaters don’t typically have a fancy presentation so to supplement for that you get a recessed mouth that makes a bunch of noise, a propeller, or an internal rattle that draws attention.
You should also keep the water conditions in mind. Having a side imaging fish finder like the Humminbird Helix 9 will help you pick up on any vegetation or structure that may provide an ideal casting spot.
Size/Color
The size and color of your topwater lure is important as well. If you’re fishing for bass in small ponds and lakes you don’t need a six inch lure because it’s only going to intimidate the fish you have there and you’re never going to find anything large enough any way. Size according to what you’re targeting and where you’re fishing.
Keep in mind that size also plays a role in casting distance. If you’re using a light rod, you’ll want to size accordingly but you won’t be able to cast as far.
Also, a lot of anglers will tell you that color doesn’t matter because fish are color blind but I’ve never seen it that way. You should always ensure that your lure mimics a wounded baitfish because it will make the target fish more prone to striking it.
Final Thoughts
At this point you should have a firm understanding of the best topwater lures and why they’re the best. Choosing the right one for you is all about playing to your strengths and understanding what makes one better than the other. Now get out there and catch something, good luck!
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