Folks at home,
If you LOVE topwater fishing as much as I do, you're going to love this one!
Today we're putting two absolute legends head-to-head...the **POPPER vs. the WALKING BAIT!** These are two of my confidence baits, but trust me—they are NOT interchangeable.
I'm breaking down exactly when I pick one over the other based on: 🎣 Cover vs. open water 💧 Clear water vs. dirty water 🐟 Matching bluegill, baitfish, frogs, and bugs 🔥 Bonus tips for the bluegill spawn and baitfish spawn that can absolutely LOAD the boat.
If you've ever stood in front of your tackle box wondering which topwater to tie on first, this video is going to make that decision a whole lot easier.
I absolutely LOVE talking topwater, and I think these little details are what separate catching a few fish from having one of those unforgettable days on the water.
Thanks so much for watching! If you're enjoying these **Ike In The Shop** videos, make sure you subscribe to the channel and tell your fishing buddies about **Mike Iaconelli Fishing** here on YouTube.
I'll see you on the next one...and until then, get out there, try these techniques, and GO CATCH 'EM!
Featured Baits In This Video:
👉Berkely J-Walker https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_J-Walker/descpage-JWLK.html?from=ikedup
👉Berkley Drift Walker https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Drift_Walker/descpage-DWK.html?from=ikedup
👉Berkley Bullet Pop https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Bullet_Pop_Popper_/descpage-BULP.html?from=ikedup
👉Berkley Topwater Haul Of Fame https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Topwater_Haul_of_Fame/descpage-BTHFS.html?from=ikedup
🎣 ALL-NEW IKE 3.0 Signature RODS AND REELS 👇
🔥 Abu Garcia IKE Signature 3.0 Reels https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=20&searchtext=ike+reel&from=ikedup
🔥 Abu Garcia IKE Power Series 3.0 Casting Rods https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=20&searchtext=ike+rod&from=ikedup
🔥Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Line https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Trilene_100_Fluorocarbon_Line_Clear/descpage-FBTR.html?from=ikedup
🎯 Save money and get free shipping on bass gear from Tackle Warehouse: http://bit.ly/TackleWH
As a Tackle Warehouse partner, we may be compensated if you purchase through these links.
⚡️ GOING IKE — New Episode Every Tuesday at 12PM! Going Ike is my day-in-the-life fishing series — from the road trip to the first cast, epic catches to heartbreak losses, and everything in between. Real fishing. Real emotion. Big surprises. Watch the full GOING IKE playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8lLcyPTiX13I9DpuBXwbegfq-7RfNgtP&si=8zsIESX-rjqisHQd
⚙️ IKE IN THE SHOP — Every Thursday at 12PM! Every Thursday I’m back in the shop breaking down gear, customizing tackle, rigging boats and kayaks, and sharing the tips and tricks that help me compete at the highest level. Watch the IKE IN THE SHOP playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8lLcyPTiX116nulCn5q3dgepRNuHmhgY&si=pidGlbmKw-musLvl
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00:00 Popper vs. walking bait 02:20 Fishing specific cover 05:23 Covering open water 07:52 Choosing by water clarity 08:43 Clear-water topwater fishing 10:10 Topwaters for dirty water 12:13 Matching the forage 13:02 Bluegill, bugs and frogs 14:50 Imitating baitfish 16:43 Bluegill-spawn bonus 18:05 Fishing the baitfish spawn 19:20 Blueback herring retrieve 19:44 Final verdict