bigcreekdad Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Will be taking my annual September muskie trip to the French in a few weeks, so I thought this topic might be helpful. My #1 is the Topper Stopper, followed by the Top Raider. I've had success with both. I've tried some of the "walk the dog" baits (i.e. Poe's Jackpot), but never seem to get them into a consistent side to side rythym. Any thoughts on this? So....what do you use? BTW....was on the French last week. Not so good. Water temps went from low 70's day before we got there to 65. Never made it back to 70 other than one afternoon (which was our best afternoon I might add). Also, had 5 straight days of east winds. Never saw a muskie, and the only saving grace was casting small poppers on light spinning rods, which resulted in several bass and a few pike. Took a guide out one day as my son likes a shore lunch....fishing with a worm for lunch fish I caught a darn sheepshead almost 30" in length....it was probably 18-20" deep. Hell of a time getting it in on 6lb mono. Fun!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Musky Mainia "Doc" for me. Good action and it puts alot of muskies in the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landry Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 I have typically been too greedy to stick with topwaters and go back to my subsurface confidence baits quickly. However, I have landed to decent musky in two trips on a 10" black weagle WTD bait. Both fish hit the bait going straight up. It was awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan668 Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 All my musky caught so far, have been landed on buck tails or bass gear. I do have a top raider and the lure pictured above. Which were recommended by friends. Unfortunate about the french, I've been skunked twice this season, hopefully third times a charm, next weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Musky Mainia "Doc" for me. Good action and it puts alot of muskies in the boat. Have you used the musky sized Zara's Lew? I'm wondering how they compare to the ones in your post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Never tried the Zara's Rob, but I'd imagine they'd work well too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan668 Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Have you used the musky sized Zara's Lew? I'm wondering how they compare to the ones in your post. Im sure they will work. Ive had musky hit the bass sized ones. The Doc seems to walk easier though, compared to the zara's (i have not fished the musky sized ones) according to posts i remembered reading on another forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 I have a few of the huge zaras but I like the look of yours as well. May have to get a few. You have a favourite colour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky or Specks Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Musky Mainia "Doc" for me. Good action and it puts alot of muskies in the boat. Yep the Doc is awesome and last way longer than a Jack Pot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Topraider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Jr Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 The Doc's are my favorite the rattles help sometimes . Easy to use and handle the waves nice when its real windy . Jackpots I use when its calmer . I have several whopper ploppers they really make some noise and have caught several nice fish for us . We tried the Muskie sized Zara's they are OK but don't swim as good as the Doc's . We fish for Stripers in the spring its a catch and release season in Maryland you have a chance at some over 40lbs my son and I use Muskie topwater lures for them 90% of the time so we get lots of practice working them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 ..We tried the Muskie sized Zara's they are OK but don't swim as good as the Doc's . That's the first thing I thought when I saw the video of the Doc. It seems to sit higher then the zara. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 You have a favourite colour? I have the best luck with a 9" black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 My favorite top water musky bait is the one that brings the musky to the top of the water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperDave Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 The Poes Jackpot has been dynamite for me. All my largest fish have come on it. The problem with them is they are not all created equal. Finding one that works the way I want it to isn't easy. Calm seas are required or light chop. Hits have been ferocious! The Doc has also been a great surface lure for me. Had the biggest smallie I've ever seen hit the 9" version on the Moon river. And my last 2 muskie excursions have produced 6 fish all on the Topraider. Have also used a creeper as a throwback bait after a muskie missed my Poes and she ate it! As far as the Zara Spook goes I have a couple of supersize ones but don't really use them so not to sure about them. As far as durability, Poes suck. They hardware is cheap the eyes are just screwed in so after a while they get soft and the eyes could pull out. The doc seems to have solid hardware and the plastic body is much tougher than the wooden Poes. Topraiders are great lures that are easy to toss all day but get messed up pretty quick after a few fish. I recently had to replace the shrink tubing on the back hook and found that there is no room for error. Too thick of tubing will result in the tail not spinning. So I ripped the tubing off with pliers threw it out there and caught a fish on it! My name is Dave, and I am a topwater junkie!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handlebarz Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Even thought I have a new top water out this year and its doing good I must say I love the top raider they are easy to use and call the fish in. I have not had a lot of time using or catching with stick baits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosebunk Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Only topwater ever caught was with a Top Raider. Want to try the luck with a Jackpot sometime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostAnotherOne Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Squirrel. Have you ever seen air jaws? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beans Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Don't nobody use "Jitterbugs" no more ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcreekdad Posted August 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 not me, but I can still dance it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backbay Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 loon-pattern topraider. My actual favourite to fish is a Dictator style creeper: just love watching it move through the water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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