How do various topwaters look, sound to speckled trout?

Рет қаралды 101,963

6 жыл бұрын

Catching trophy-sized speckled trout on topwater lures is no less exhilarating than hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to win game seven of the World Series. There's just something about hearing the staccato rhythm of a clacking plug being interrupted by a cupped slap and frothy explosion that turns the knees to jelly.
Every regular speckled trout angler has his favorite topwater lures for targeting the fish, but there are others out there that he's maybe never gotten a chance to try. To put some of the most popular to the test, Marsh Man Masson worked them in a swimming pool alongside an underwater camera to see how they look and learn how they sound to the fish.
Marsh Man scored each lure on workability, underwater sound and price to determine which baits have the most value. He also examined how much each bait rolled to show the color of its back to interested fish. It was an eye-opening experiment.
Lures tested included the Egret Baits Ghost Walker, Bomber Badonk-A-Donk, Matrix Mullet, MirrOlure She Dog, Rapala Skitter Walk, Heddon Chug'n Spook Jr., H2O Express TWS, Rat-L-Trap Stutter Step, MirrOlure Top Dog, Heddon Super Spook and MirrOlure C-Eyes.
Like the video? Please give it a thumbs-up, and subscribe to the Marsh Man Masson channel on KZfaq. Also, leave a comment below. What other family of lures would you like to see tested and compared in a swimming pool?
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Пікірлер: 140

@CarinaBoje89 2 жыл бұрын

*I used to fish with a Crippled Killer growing up in the 50/60’s and **enjoyable.fishing** recommend think this lure gas a smoother propeller action. It is a great surface lure.*

@dannywelch9492 5 жыл бұрын

Would like to see same test with loop knot vs direct contact knot as shown. would be good to see if knot type (loop vs direct) effects lure motion.

@jamesmahaffey4206 4 жыл бұрын

Great job on this video! I love topwater trout fishing. Awesome content! Thanks!

@gregmach8230 3 жыл бұрын

Great job, your reviews on lures helps a bunch

@gilbertrobles1374 5 жыл бұрын

Very not what I expected.thank you for taking the time for this. I don't use lures but I have been slowly purchasing some to build me a small arsenal for when I get ready to fish with lures. Your videos are definitely steering me in the right direction as to which ones to buy. Thanks👍👍👍👍👍

@lifeunplanned5405 5 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy your pool tests. Like you mentioned, they're very educational and help keep me from spending money on things that I'll never throw a second time. Thanks for the vids.

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback! Got another one dropping today.

@smokin_sam 5 жыл бұрын

Keep it up! I love these how the bait works underwater!

@redfishray2505 6 жыл бұрын

Very informative! Thanks man keep it up!

@johnandrewservice8598 3 жыл бұрын

Really liked your review on these top water baits. I just recently bought the Badonk -A- Donk. I didn’t seem to make too much of a bad choice after all. Thanks for update Onelove.

@ReelinTension 3 жыл бұрын

Love the pool videos. Always educational.

@RedwoodGhost80 5 жыл бұрын

Just realized all of these are in my boxes in multiple colors each..... another in my box you didn’t get try out was High Roller lures, sweet video!

@richardhernandez9249 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video went out picked up the bomber top water and caught a few nice trout this morning

@monsterbassmx4281 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks excelent video buddy

@user-lj2qe4dn3e 3 ай бұрын

Great comparison!

@linh811 5 жыл бұрын

thank you for the effort and work, good stuff !

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

@afrobeat4576 4 жыл бұрын

Great video

@84neilbone 4 жыл бұрын

Your videos are really good

@bobgill4069 6 жыл бұрын

Also, what type of knot did you use with them? A tight knot tied directly to the lure will definitely have an effect on the action. Using a loop knot or a quality split ring is best. With the Heddon Chug'n Spooks if you keep your rod tip up a little it makes a difference on the action and will keep the lure above water and helps the cup spit more water. Lowering makes it go subsurface for a while.

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

I don't use loop knots because they compromise the strength of the line, but I know many anglers who swear by them. I generally don't have any trouble getting a walk-the-dog pattern going with topwater plugs, so I don't see the advantage for me personally.

@rainbosprinkles6548 3 жыл бұрын

Im 2 years late on the comment, but this is a topic I was very curious about for over a year. I found no appreciable difference in using a loop knot over a snug knot

@AmbassadorsoftheHunt 5 жыл бұрын

Very cool test! I like the shirt, I guess you know a mutual friend, Mr. Fred Rod. I have enjoyed the three videos I have seen from your channel and for that reason, I have subscribed! Keep up the great job! The Ambassador

@markinaction1 6 жыл бұрын

Very informative. I use both the she dog and the skitterwalk here on the gulf coast of Florida. It has been my experience that most of the time the trout here bite the she dog better and the redfish absolutely demolish the skitterwalk in both sizes.

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

That's interesting. I've noticed the same thing over here with the She Dog and Top Dog Jr. Reds seem to prefer the latter. Thanks for the input!

@TheBigghunter01 2 жыл бұрын

My experience in NC the redfish love the skitterwalk-11 and skitter-V-10 They love those bigger profiles in the summer

@patwalker9890 5 жыл бұрын

The Stutter step has a real learning curve. No the best open water topwater bait for sure, but near cover it catches big fish. The smallest fish I've caught on mine was a 3 1/2 and the largest was 8 pounds.

@richardlewis9202 5 жыл бұрын

Bone spook jr,works very well here on Sabine.

@MATHfishing22 4 жыл бұрын

good explanatory video, do you indicate a Bomber Badonk-A-Donk full size for fishing Jack Crevalle and Baby Tarpon in Rock Fishing mode ?! thank you!

@taylormi2000 6 жыл бұрын

Would you do some salt water crank baits or just crank baits in general?

@KS-vs7ht 4 жыл бұрын

If this is josh Taylor of salty scales you should do one on your channel

@crislt1 5 жыл бұрын

snook in south Texas love that Bomber lure.

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

The Badonk-A-Donk? A lot of speckled trout over here love them too. Thanks for commenting from the Lone Star State!

@faceripper77 5 жыл бұрын

Theres only two things in texas, steers and queers cris steers and queers

@willsondrew8691 5 жыл бұрын

i found that rapala lures always have the nicest action

@KELEVRA004 Жыл бұрын

my all time favorite top water for specs so far is the yozuri top knock

@JayJay3Fifty7 5 жыл бұрын

The Rapala Skitter Walk is my go to for hybrid stripers and they smash 'em, haven't used it on trout or reds yet.

@KS-vs7ht 4 жыл бұрын

I have the original full size stutter step. Discountined I my area but I don't know where to fish a big lure of this nature.

@bobgill4069 6 жыл бұрын

Good idea and good video overall. I know you couldn't test all the top waters out there but only what you had on hand but some of them have other models that are louder. Heddon makes a Spook called the Hard Knocker which is a Spook with BB's and is louder than the one knocker types. Also, Bomber Badonkadonk has 2 different sizes and a high pitch and low pitch in each version, looks like you tested the low pitch version.

@jaredtomanek2384 6 жыл бұрын

For most part here in central coast Texas, the She Dog, Skitterwalk, and Spook Jr. are the go to top waters. This was a good educational video.

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback from the Texas coast. How has your trout fishing been this year?

@jaredtomanek2384 6 жыл бұрын

It was very good right around Spring, but the heat has been pushing them a bit deeper and over shell. The winds have finally started to lay down a bit which makes the trips more comfortable.

@surferdude7679 7 ай бұрын

Back in the day when you could get topwaters for 6 dollars or sometimes less. What a wild shift in lure prices past few years.

@robertjarrell5195 5 жыл бұрын

Did you tie all with same knot if which one.?

@AlbertVieraFishing352 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. Was the badonkadonk the high pitch one or the low pitch one?

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

@kevinh3634 6 жыл бұрын

Skitter walk is my go to bait. Caught a lot trout on it.

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

It was the bait that most impressed me in the test. I knew the She Dog would perform well, and it did, but the Skitter Walk was right up there with it. Skitter Walk is $2 more, however.

@Luisc-uo9kl 4 жыл бұрын

I like the rapala skitter walk red fish been catching big snook and good size trout also a few barracudas still waiting to catch a red fish on it

@Death.Row.11.05 Жыл бұрын

Hi Marsh. If you don't mind, can you try the DUO Realis pencil brand Top water Lure including the same brand Popper.

@johnpaul6386 5 жыл бұрын

On your hooks with your top water do you like using a normal treble hook or a gama gatu Gap treble ?

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

Standard trebles. I've never used the Gamakatsu gap trebles.

@miguelgoizueta7103 5 жыл бұрын

Which color would U recommend...?

@brycehartzog8154 5 жыл бұрын

I’d like to see how the Yo Zuri Pencil F sits among these lures.

@Redreefmedia 3 жыл бұрын

I use that one all the time.

@Redreefmedia 3 жыл бұрын

How are you filming the underwater scenes? Is someone in the water, or do you have a camera mounted on a pole?

@fishheadintexas5276 5 жыл бұрын

I'd like to see a pool test on topwater prop bait plugs, the one I use is the MirrOlure 5M with tail prop only

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

I fish prop baits a bit for bass (mainly a Whopper Plopper, but also a Tiny Torpedo), but not much for trout. How do you like to fish the 5M? Short bursts, or do you fish it more rhythmically?

@fishheadintexas5276 5 жыл бұрын

For Speckled Trout, 3-4 short jerks then pause, (repeat) -- Now Redfish, Jerk, Jerk, Jerk, making big splashes with prop. When Red is following it do not stop jerks or he will spook off...

@NemesisDragon2007 Жыл бұрын

The Yozuri top knock is number one for me.

@malaytith1676 5 жыл бұрын

I love all the pool test you are doing Marsh man learn a lot from it, now I know how to but soft plastic lures mother hard bait marsh keep it coming , I’m a new guys try learn how to fish wt artificial bait. First time n really love the videos ty again . Now that I been watching it ,I know I won’t be that stupid guys buy all kind of baits n waste money ty. But on top water. I still need learn how to work on it 😂

@jeffjohns6529 5 жыл бұрын

honestly. all I heard from the underwater video most of the time was the water noise

@peanutbutter1998 4 жыл бұрын

Because sound travels faster in water, its harder to hear the noise but you can definitely hear the shakes.

@jordanbarton60 4 жыл бұрын

facts all they need to do it just leave the camera at the bottom of the pool

@TheAlexSpanky 2 жыл бұрын

I know everyone loves the She Dog but baits like the Rapala Skitter Walk and Spook Jr work really well in my area of Florida. I've only caught jacks and a couple trout on the loudest baits. Something in-between works best here. I'm interested in looking at the top dog.

@MarshManMasson 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback. My guess would be that's because your water is generally so much clearer than what we have over here. I like the She Dog in rough conditions or stained water but opt for something less obnoxious when clarity is good and winds are down.

@TheAlexSpanky 2 жыл бұрын

@@MarshManMasson Thanks for the tips Marsh Man Masson, keep catchin em up!

@jimbogasoline2042 6 жыл бұрын

I never catch Trout or Reds when throwing topwater. Only Bass in some ponds using smaller size with the cupped mouth. I have a She Dog and H20 topwater mullet with the feather on the tail. Is the lure supposed to be submerged more or floating while retrieving? Are the lures I'm using to big? I will see fish popping like crazy (usually reds) in the morning but I wont get a single strike. I'm doing something wrong. Now I dont throw any topwater but would love to if I actually caught something!

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

Catching specks on topwater is definitely a timing thing. This time of year, the bites are almost exclusively pre-dawn and post-dusk, but that will change in the fall and winter. My favorite time to throw them is late winter and early spring, but for most anglers, it's late spring and early summer. A topwater bait is generally less efficient than other methods, but the size of the fish and intensity of the strikes make it worth it.

@timprall5417 5 жыл бұрын

jimbo gasoline, im kind of new to saltwater fishing here in central florida, yesterday i actually caught my first two reds over thirty inches and both on mirrolure topwater walking baits. couldnt tell you exactly what kind they were, but bigger than i would use searching for bass! Extreme hits and the power they have is amazing,n just keep at it and constantly change the cadience of the bait. That seemed to be key for me.

@dennispilotte3638 5 жыл бұрын

Todd, would like for you to say more about where you are fishing on your trips

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I get that request a lot. But I really don't want to send a bunch of people to one specific area that may or may not be productive based on that day's conditions. I prefer to show techniques and strategies that work everywhere.

@andrewspinks6731 5 жыл бұрын

No pop r? I'm fresh water fishing here in ky and they are pretty popular, why don't I see them being used in the ocean?

@grandwonder5858 5 жыл бұрын

How come you didn’t test the Lucky Craft Sammy? The easiest walk-the-dog lure I’ve ever used and the most productive one as well?

@gabe.ch5555 5 жыл бұрын

Probably the lucky craft ,,gun fish " 110 same action like the sammy but whit bigger splash (different lipp design) both are my favorite topwater lures.

@the_toxicbadger2547 5 жыл бұрын

Only ever caught ONE redfish on a spook it was a BD lure spook and all the wire that the spilt rings connect to got ripped out😳! He was a keeper didn’t keep and he inhaled it,He was mixed in with a bunch of lady fish. I was using 15 pound fluro throwing matrix shad on a 6.1.1 gear ratio Idk why I threw a spook on it on a medium rod! Idk what I was doing it was a back up rod😂!

@ferdinandhuber8774 5 жыл бұрын

good video I have a lot of h20 xpress baits cheap and work decent. Would be good to see a jerk bait comparison husky jerk, maybe a pointer, x rap, h20 xpress stuff again, whatever else you think of. A chatterbait one would be good to see how different chatterbaits with different trailers look.

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

Definitely got a jerkbait pool test planned. Thanks for the feedback!

@allentufts8799 5 жыл бұрын

X2 on the jerkbait test Good stuff Marsh Man

@IMBrute-ir7gz 5 жыл бұрын

I'd like to see if rattles do make much difference. How about an experiment with two guys of equal skill, fishing side-by-side on a productive trout and redfish flat, one casting a rattling topwater, and the other casting a non-rattling topwater (if there is such a thing these days) which features only flash and splash? A tally would be kept of who caught what. I'd be interested to know if the fish could tell the difference.

@TheBigghunter01 2 жыл бұрын

Great video but I think you should’ve included a video where the camera was stationary to eliminate the noise of pulling it through the water. Couldn’t even hear the she dog and its the loudest bait ive ever threw

@tommyd3jr 4 жыл бұрын

The Rap spook is underrated fs

@brianmorales8169 6 жыл бұрын

That's cool now I know how my she dog sounds lol. Great video again buddy.

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

Like Satan's baby rattle!

@Balzy73 6 жыл бұрын

A She Dog will forever be known to me as “Satan’s Baby Rattle”. Great informative video as always.

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@markeechesson2141 3 жыл бұрын

It also depends on the knot you tie different knot brings different presentations

@matthewhairell1456 5 жыл бұрын

Few Questions? 1. Are you tying directly to the eye of the bait? 2. Are you using a loop knot to add action or a split ring? 3. Are you using Mono line? What if using braid, what if braid to mono leader? 4. What gear ratio reel? 5. What power rod? 6. Does the actions differ using baitcaster versus spinning ? All could help out the vids become more knowledgeable than other vids on the market!

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

A lot of these questions have been answered in some of our other topwater videos (those that occur on a boat rather than poolside - ha!), but I'm happy to answer them for you here: 1. I tie directly to the eye of the bait. 2. I do not use a loop knot or split ring. I have no trouble getting a topwater to work properly, so I don't feel I need it. Others may feel differently. 3. I use braid tied to a mono leader with a double-uni knot. 4. I use an assortment of gear ratio reels, and adjust my reel cadence accordingly. 4. I'm a HUGE believer in matching the rod to the style of fishing I'm doing. I throw topwaters on a light-powered rod, and would never use anything else. 6. I don't throw topwaters on spinning gear. Hope this helps!

@bobgill4069 3 жыл бұрын

I think it's time for a new pool test here soon. There's a bunch of topwaters that viewers would love to be seen tested.

@josephmcgee8450 2 жыл бұрын

Mr Mason, Lets. Compare fish ability of each bait?

@dfl6852 6 жыл бұрын

Use the bombers badonkadonk in bone color and have had a lot of success with it for trout and redfish. Was shocked by he lack of rattle in the water. Started using the shedog after watching your videos but haven’t had much success yet.

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

I've caught fish on the Badonk-A-Donk, and I know other anglers who have as well. If it's working for you, stick with it.

@johnkarges8829 2 жыл бұрын

@@MarshManMasson and there’s two sizes and TWO rattle frequencies of Badonkadonks, a high pitch and a low pitch. Badonkadonk has one of the best rolls and flash in the topwater market, great on freshwater bass and inshore specks and reds.

@Rascallucci 6 жыл бұрын

That's what swimming pools are for. LOL. Good job, man!

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

Definitely more fun that actually SWIMMING in them!

@jessietovar9921 4 жыл бұрын

I personally prefer the Yo-zuri top water mullet 3d...i done won several tournaments down here on the Texas coast throwin those silly things I tell you what...

@jldfishing6622 6 жыл бұрын

Is that badonkadonk a LP or an HP high pitch or low pitch

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

@jldfishing6622 6 жыл бұрын

Reason I'm asking because the HP and LP are meant for two kinds of water ones meant to work rough water and the other was meant for calmer water because the tone pitch

@jldfishing6622 6 жыл бұрын

You also might try The Who that it's a rattling spoon

@TheBigghunter01 2 жыл бұрын

That last one was a C-eyes Pro Dog Jr.

@joshuagautreau6555 6 жыл бұрын

Marsh man can you show us how you like to walk the dog. Tip low or high? Also what you mean by chug? Like the videos. Don’t understand how you got 1 dislike. Ttyl!

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

Tip down, mostly. Check out this video to see the technique in action: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o62cf9OIrrjUpaM.html To chug a bait is to pop it like a cork rather than walking it.

@nareeeely 4 жыл бұрын

I troll these behind planers for king mackerel and they work wonders lol

@wolverinex4243 2 жыл бұрын

My self-made topwaters show the back on the bottom. No sound tho bc they're made of woods. Point is it can be done. That's why we make our own. The stores simply do not have what you are looking for at the highest level.

@kylebatson3414 6 жыл бұрын

you should do a frog video with your son. I'd like to see how he works it and how those frogs swim in the water.

@MarshManMasson 6 жыл бұрын

Great idea! Would be really good if I could put a bunch of lilies in the pool lol

@faustocastaneda3542 10 ай бұрын

Having fished multiple s in different sizes and colors, kzfaq.infoUgkxCbNOWAGmn6nfbCbJDmasvBq7J38KZNw2 this is by far my favorite. One thing to be aware of is the sided willow blade. One side is silver and the other is the green/orange shown. This is not bad, just unconventional. In terms of fishing, I have found the lure works just fine without a tail like a craw or shad. That addition is up to you. Also, the hook part where you attach the swivel snap or tie the line is a problem on baits these days, since it's able to slide up and down. However this lure seems to be tight enough that that doesn't happen often, and you can solve it by putting a thin slice of medical tube over the hook before attaching the line. Like others have said, it's really magic on a good windy day.

@jonrambone 5 жыл бұрын

Try a Skitter-V

@eastcoastfishing6852 5 жыл бұрын

wish u wouldve done cadance instead of just straight walking it

@stevec69 2 жыл бұрын

I don't understand why sound is such a big factor though Is it proven fish are attracted to this unnatural sound? Does it spook them? Care to expound ? Thanks

@jimj986 2 жыл бұрын

Honestly, if you’re using this to judge what a noisy bait is, you have to also consider that fish can only hear a narrower range of frequency than humans. So, who knows.

@VirantRoss 5 жыл бұрын

*Call me crazy... But I'm one who thinks you should choose lures based on what FISH LIKE & Catches em! NOT what YOU "LIKE or looks/sounds cool in a pool"*

@andrewspinks6731 5 жыл бұрын

I agree but confidence in a bait is also important

@agave1314 7 ай бұрын

🐸✝️

@tommyd3jr 4 жыл бұрын

Rattle trap is more designed for choppier** water (choppy for topwater) or current.. in my experience the baits that r sporadic and don’t actually look the best or cover water the we like r the ones that get slapped up

@terrymoore5058 7 ай бұрын

super spook junior the best

@boashna 5 жыл бұрын

fish dont have hands so if they want to know what is it ? they use their mouth ..

@mangokim6782 2 жыл бұрын

Having the camera moving underwater ruins any chance of hearing the lures. Would be better to leave the camera stationary and have the lure go above it to get a true sense of sound. Just my .02

@tommyd3jr 4 жыл бұрын

Trout on a super spook? 🤔

@Gniggaaa 3 жыл бұрын

Lucky your Walmart has a good fishing section my Walmart has jack shit

@BrandonBarton13 5 жыл бұрын

Jerkbaits

@nasiasteel9105 5 жыл бұрын

I kill the trout on the she dog and the top dog. I have a separate tackle box for all of them I have so many

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the input. What's your favorite time of year to target them on topwaters?

@JCASTELLUCCIOJR 5 жыл бұрын

kameron...same here: I have been fishing with MirrOlure for the past 35 years! I have some info re: 52MR, Top, She Dogs, etc learnede from a MirrOlure seminar I attended many years back! E-mail me at "jcastellucciojr@aol.com" or telephone me at 504-481-1344 John Castelluccio, Jr.

@kennethrich2107 5 жыл бұрын

If the current trend continues, in 6 months Academy will only sell H2O branded products...what a shame they push their own brand over the good stuff..

@grandwonder5858 5 жыл бұрын

Don’t overlook Academy’s brand now! Some of the best lures I’ve ever used are made by Academy!

@VirantRoss 5 жыл бұрын

*People do videos like this Where fish ACTUALLY ARE, to see how fish & environment react, & visa versa. Opposed to a pool with nothing in it May as well just throw in the yard unless you fish your pool*

@MarshManMasson 5 жыл бұрын

Pool videos are quite popular because they allow anglers to see what their favorites look like from a fish's view, as well as get exposed to some baits with which they may not have been familiar. The rest of us CLEARLY aren't as smart as you. Feel free to move along.

@wescordray948 6 жыл бұрын

soft plastic swimbaits

@0riginall337 5 жыл бұрын

Badonkadonk is pretty meh

@happyhankjr 2 жыл бұрын

PLEASE...Don't include price in judging the bait's performance. List it at the end so people can judge for themselves if the price is worth the difference. We already get the best rod, reel, and line we can afford. Add to that gas for your vehicle and boat, and the time we have to fish, once a week, once a month, etc. and the cost of the bait is the least of our expenses. Yet, you give it equal weight in your score to how the baits work. I always have to take your numbers and exclude the cost to find out which bait is best. New fisherman are not as knowledgeable about total cost for them to fish and take YOUR word as to which baits are best.

@i1bike 2 жыл бұрын

you are also wrong with pronounciation. It is pronounced with long first 'a', Raa-pala. Atleast thats how its called in finland where it originates from

@henryclark5486 Жыл бұрын

Man, get you a Tiny Torpedo, white with a red head. If you can get it in Magnum, try that too. Speckled trout, Red fish, Spanish love that lure. Work it three feet and stop, when they knock it off the water, don't mess with it, they are coming back for it. I've been using that lure for years and been catching more fish than anyone in the boat.