By Reed Montgomery

It's rarely discussed. Few even mention it, perhaps in fear of being labeled a liar. Non-believers must actually be shown and many still have trouble giving in. I'm writing about it and many who read this will still have your doubts.

The art of catching bass with topwater lures has been written about by famed authors for many years. Every spring, summer and fall anglers fish topwater with success. But how many times have you read or seen anything on topwater fishing during the dead of Winter?

There was a time when I, too, was a non-believer. I'd heard some talk about this unusual, wintertime tactic for, "BIG" bass. I tried it, thrashing the water in all directions with any lure labeled a topwater offering. Usually the trail of bubbles left from the lure's path was all I had to show for my effort. I pushed on, determined to unlock the secret.

One morning after three hours of relentless casting with every topwater lure in my tacklebox, I sat in an isolated cove looking down at the array of topwater lures at my feet wondering, "what am I doing wrong?" Soon I found out. It was all a matter being in the right place, at the right time and throwing the right lure. Doing just that has left many an angler heading home from the lake with a big smile rather than bearing a big frown.

So, what lure? It's simply a matter of personal preference. Many variables govern your lure choice. The conditions, such as rain, wind, sun, cloud-cover, shade, rising or falling air and water temperatures, water clarity, current and especially previous weather, all dictate a different approach and weigh heavenly on your decision. In addition, you must keep in mind that it's necessary to take an off the-wall approach. Let me say right now: "Throw out the Bassin' book." Experimenting is the key. On-the-water experience will answer your questions. Here's a rundown of my personal preference of lures. When applied in certain situations and during favorable conditions, they will catch big bass during the winter months.

THE ZARA SPOOK This lure will catch bass year round in clear to stained water. It is my personal favorite, so I throw it a lot more than the average angler. It's a big bass lure, and compared to the average offerings most anglers have grown accustomed to it is big in size. Earlier models, both wooden and later molded-plastic, were 4.5 inches long and .75 of an inch wide and could be cast quite some distance. Old timers fished at the turn of the century with these "new" lures with phenomenal success. However many had trouble mastering the art of "walking" a spook and interest dwindled. Casting and retrieving other topwater lures of that era was easier and less tiring. Now, well over 70 years later there is Pradco's, Zara Super Spook, Jimmy Houston Signature Series, which feature three hooks and internal rattles. This lure is much more durable (with a much thicker body) than earlier models and in addition these super spooks feature a very realistic-looking paint job. The super spook is much bigger than the original zara spook at five inches in length and one eighth of an inch wider. It also casts further and walks a whole lot easier than the earlier model zara spooks. With its holographic eyes and very realistic paint job, age-old Bass are fooled into blasting an assumed, easy-to-catch, injured looking meal.

There is no certain time to throw a zara spook. I have caught numbers of big bass in low, 50-degree water. On one February morning in 1994 I caught two bass in 46-degree water. Usually, in water temperatures from the mid-to-upper 50's is the best time to plan an outing. An approaching rainy, cold-front after several mild days and warm nights, accompanied with a rising barometer and followed by clouds and high winds, are perfect conditions for several days of wintertime spooking. A slight chop on the water, plenty of baitfish, cover and the security of deeper water nearby completes the recipe.

BUZZBAITS Like the Zara Spook, this is a big-bass lure, but will cover a lot more water and it's more weedless. Trailer hooks are a must on lures known for attracting missed strikes, creating boils, and tempting aggravated bass to explode on the lure. Louder models have a blade that either knocks the head of the lure or has a small flag that clacks against the main blade. These can be used in stained to clear water with repeated casts to a known bass lair. The noise will either scare the bass away or aggravate it into a very vicious strike.

With stained water you are at a distinct advantage with a slow, steady retrieve. Always come armed with loud and quieter models. On any winter outing. bass can be anywhere the prevailing conditions take them. Choosing cover is a matter of ambush and the choices are limited. Even dead weeds will hold bass during winter. Although low in oxygen, these aquatic weeds are homes to summer and fall bass that refuse to abandon the normally oxygen-rich weeds. Laid-over clumps of weeds serve the same purpose as stumps. The combination of weeds and wood cover calls for repeated casts. Even bumping the lure into weeds, wood or rock cover with repeated casts, may be needed to provoke strikes from skittish and tight-holding bass. On rainy days with no thunder and lightning topwater action can occur from dawn to dusk. Calm conditions call for a very slow retrieve, long casts and sometimes quieter lures. One of these quieter models, a blade-in-blade, is made by Rippler lures out of Charlotte, NC. This model buzzbait has a small blade, within another bigger blade, that counter rotates. It also has holes drilled in both and when retrieved across the waters surface, it leaves a trail of bubbles. The sound it makes simulates fleeing shad. Call 1-800-top lure or visit Rippler's website: www.rippler.com for more info. As mentioned before, sharp hooks, heavy line and stout tackle are a must.

JERKBAITS AND FLOATING WORMS Suspending, hard-bodied model jerkbaits such as Pradco's suspending minnow, a slow-rising minnow-type lure, is best for lethargic bass that must be coaxed into striking. This goes for soft plastic jerkbaits, too. Adding a small nail, rattles or an oversized hook can be all the extra weight needed to get semi-submerged results. Even rattlers inserted in different parts of the lure can add weight and cause a dipping action on retrieve. Line in the 12-15 lb. test category is required to work these semi submerged soft plastic shad imitations. This goes for floating worms or lizards, too.

When fishing these lures, always cast far past the cover. Bass holding around likely looking ambush spots are often spooky. Slowing the retrieve when in the strike zone will increase your strikes. Even stopping on the bass holding cover can entice strikes These lures are good when sunny, high pressure conditions trail a cold front and bass must be drawn-out from cover. Keep one rigged for missed strikes on the spook and buzzbait. They are great follow-up lures

POP-R'S, BABY TORPEDOES AND CHUGGERS These topwaters, and others, fall in the same category. Fished with short flicks of the rod tip, all with a similar popping retrieve, they often call bass up from deep water or from great distances. When targeting bass in cold water that often refuse to follow a lure, slow retrieves with these lures may be needed, and they can be fished as slow as you and the bass can stand it. When bigger and more gaudy type lures won't work, the bass often want a smaller offering, especially in very clear water Short hops with little or no added action, can be all that is needed to entice a strike. This also keeps the lure in the strike zone longer. When bass are feeding on small baitfish, these are great lures for casting right on top without worry of spooking the bass

Try different styles, sizes, color choices, actions or even select lures with different noise making attributes. There are always certain models that the bass may prefer on any wintertime outing. Of course, one must know when to go after these bass, while armed only with a handful of lures that skim the waters surface.

During winter in Alabama there are days when the temperatures are in the 50s and 60s for a week or more, sometimes even warmer. This is always followed by a rainy front that peaks the day and night temperatures to the fullest When this front approaches, the barometer falls. When the barometer begins to rise and light rain or drizzle sets in is when bass feed and when you need to be on the water.

Another opportune time is when a front immediately follows another front, or on cloudy days with little or no rain, with mild temperatures and good conditions. Fog can extend an otherwise high pressure morning into a top water bonanza. Even moon phases increase your chances of hooking a big bass. My records show that either side of a full or totally dark moon are best. The best answer is whenever you can be there. If you can pick your days to go fishing, timing is everything. When the weatherman predicts rain a few days away and you have been fortunate enough to get a few days of sunshine, start planing a wintertime topwater fishing trip.

All you need to know now is where? I have an area that is a sure fire winner on any lake where waters can warm. But first let me say that anything is possible. I have caught big spotted bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and striped bass all while parallel casting a Zara Spook on rock bluffs, sitting in 50-feet of water in the dead of winter. I've called-up huge largemouths in a three-foot chop, in low 50-degree water along dam and bridge rip-rap with loud chuggers. I've buzzed up lake and river bass of all species in swift, running water-below dams and in the backs of feeder creeks. I've caught my share of bass on topwater lures, but I'm still surprised sometimes and I've been doing this for more than 30 years!

So, as I said, throw out the book! Try these techniques but also try a few of your own and enjoy the thrill of hitting a feeding frenzy of wintertime hogs in shallow water. Oh yeah, I mentioned a sure fire honey hole for success. Flats. Why, you may ask? They heat up the fastest when bathed in constant sunshine. Flats also get slightly stained, when water is generated, stirring up the bottom. This can be a very important factor, especially during drought conditions with little rain to stain the water. Some flats are midway to the back of major feeder creeks. Others are huge, main-lake flats with scattered weeds, wood and rock cover and usually out of the current. This means a refuge for baitfish escaping the swift current and the bass are always quick to follow.

On the other hand, torrential wintertime rains can have an angler searching for clear water. Big, bowl-shaped pockets, especially those with no feeder creeks, remain clear the longest when lakes muddy up from winter rains. These small cuts or pockets with stumps, rocks or a dark bottom have an added bonus - this cover and bottom composition helps retain and hold the heat, while in turn attracting roaming schools of baitfish and bass. With a few days of slow, steady warming water, especially after a few days of heavy rain, some feeder creek flats will have a mild increase in current flow. This stained water will in turn heat up faster than the much clearer and deeper main lake water. Soon these places will clear, creating some fantastic fishing usually right before another severe cold front moves in.

DISCHARGE FROM WATER TREATMENT OR STEAM PLANTS Warm-water discharges can be excellent places to find topwater bass, especially when it gets really cold. Water temperatures of 70 degrees or more can exist around these discharge areas and even along banks as far as one-half a mile below. I've caught bass while it was snowing around these areas during the dead of winter with topwater lures. Spring-fed creeks can have water temperatures 10 degrees warmer than surrounding main lake areas. When these unseasonably warm waters are mixed in with warm winter rains, these clear backwaters get even warmer, creating shallow water feeding and inducing feeding among resident bass.

To really be successful at winter topwater fishing requires close attention to detail. Remember, to sharpen or replace old hooks; always use strong, dependable monofilament or one of today's many brands of braided lines. Select choice tackle, rods, reels and other quality fishing-related equipment. This goes for a big, long handled, wide hoop, hook-proof, rubber coated net.

Having a good, dependable "netman" to handle the big bass when you finally do get one along side the boat is important. This is where many big bass (and friendships) are lost. Always lead the bass into the awaiting net and never allow the netman to jab or stab in the direction of the bass. Submerge the net up to the handle and lead the played-out bass into the net. Next, loosen your drag after you have played down the bass and gotten it close to the boat. Big bass will literally rip their lip, getting loose at this very critical point. Check for frozen drags on all reels beforehand, and at different intervals during the day. Winter weather plays havoc on equipment, usually when you need it the most!

Keep in mind that big lures mean big bass. Above all, confidence and persistence pays when attempting to fool a big bass bites on top. Its worth 100 casts to a known bass hideout, just to see one monster explode on a well-maneuvered topwater lure.

Big bass are fooled during the dead of winter, for regardless of the conditions they must eat. Practice CPR (catch, photo and release) this winter. When you reap the rewards of your efforts don't bother telling anyone. They won't believe you anyway. See you on the water.