How to Fish a Walking Topwater Lure

Walking a topwater lure is one of the most effective ways to trigger explosive strikes from predatory fish in both freshwater and saltwater. Whether you’re targeting striped bass and bluefish along the Northeast coast, freshwater species like pike, musky, and large/smallmouth bass in lakes, rivers, and ponds, or fishing down south for redfish, snook, tarpon, and speckled trout, mastering the “walk-the-dog” technique can dramatically improve your topwater game.

The Walk-the-Dog Technique

The “walk-the-dog” technique involves twitching your rod tip to create a side-to-side zigzag motion across the water’s surface. To get the best action, keep your rod tip pointed down toward the water, this angle gives you better control and makes it easier to drive the lure into that smooth, consistent walking pattern. The resulting zigzag mimics a wounded or fleeing baitfish, an easy target predators can’t resist. Many topwater lures also include a built-in rattle, which adds sound to the visual action and can draw fish up from deeper water or from a distance. This natural, erratic movement is what triggers aggressive reaction strikes from fish in both freshwater and saltwater. 

Photo: Collin Stempien @collin_st

Key Tips:

• Rod tip low: Keep your rod pointed at the water while twitching the rod tip back and forth. 
• Slow steady retrieve: Depending on your reels gear ratio, you can dial in whatever retrieval speed works. 
• Twitch rhythm: A smooth, consistent side-to-side action works best in saltwater. You can do fast twitches to keep the walk tight or slow down to get a wider walk.
  
  

Saltwater: Striped Bass and Bluefish in the Northeast

In the Northeast, walking a topwater lure is especially effective for striped bass and bluefish, but the key in saltwater is to keep the lure moving. Both striped bass and bluefish are naturally suspicious, and the moment the lure pauses they often refuse it. A continuous, steady walk across the surface keeps the bait looking alive, holds the strike zone together, and triggers aggressive reaction strikes from both species.

Photo: Owen Foley @owenpfoley

Techniques for Success:

• Structure fishing: Cast around sod banks, rocks, pilings, and other coastal structures, but always pay attention to the current. Current plays a major role in how bait moves, and predators position themselves to take advantage of that flow. Look for areas where the tide pushes bait along structure, and place your cast so your lure naturally walks through that travel lane. Predatory fish often strike as the lure zigzags past these ambush points, especially when the current is funneling bait directly toward them.
  
• Bait imitation: Walk the lure with an erratic rhythm to mimic wounded baitfish such as mullet or bunker, creating the exact struggling action predators key in on.
• Stay moving: Do not pause. Both striped bass and bluefish respond best to a continuously moving target.
• Short strikes: Even after a strike, set the hook when you feel the fish pulling the lure away from you or if you visually see the lure taken under. Sometimes the fish will nose the lure and refuse. But, they could also circle back and try at the topwater again. So keep the action moving until that lure is taken under. The worst thing that can happen is for you to prematurely set the hook before the fish truly eats it. Ripping the lure across the surface and away from the fish or multiple fish. 

You can also fish a topwater walking bait in open water, whether you’re working from a boat or casting off the surf. The same rules apply, keep the lure moving and mimic the action of an injured baitfish like a bunker, mullet, spearing, etc. If you’re fishing from a boat, cast around the bait pods. Predators like striped bass often stage just beneath the schools or along the edges waiting to ambush.

Photo: Garrett Herndon @coastalkidsnj

Saltwater: Topwater Tactics for Southern Species

Farther south, especially in Florida, a topwater walking bait is one of the most fun and effective ways to target snook, tarpon, redfish, and speckled trout. Here’s what really matters when you’re fishing it:

• Mangroves: A long, tight parallel cast along the mangrove line is deadly. Always cast upcurrent so the lure comes toward the fish naturally. Snook in particular usually won’t hit a bait coming from down current
• Docks: Early mornings, evenings, or nighttime around docks or dock lights are prime times. Try to land the bait as close to the pilings as possible to stay inside the strike zone.
• Other species: Big speckled trout will eat a smaller walking bait worked slowly in shallow water. A slower retrieve helps them rise off the bottom to strike
• Retrieve: A steady walk-the-dog action with a few long pauses makes the bait look like an injured mullet. Most strikes from snook, tarpon, and reds happen when that lure suddenly stops and then starts walking again. 

Photo: Brian Hayhurst @239_little_b

Freshwater: Pike, Musky, and Bass

Walking a topwater lure is just as effective in freshwater for pike, musky, largemouth bass, small mouth bass and more!

Freshwater Twist:
In freshwater you want to use a twitch-twitch-pause retrieve. Stopping the lure briefly can be incredibly effective, many strikes occur during the pause. After the pause, resume the twitching to trigger reaction strikes.

Techniques for Freshwater:

• Around structure: Fish near fallen trees, docks, lily pads, submerged rocks, and under-hanging branches. On summer days you can target areas with shadow lines, this can be the ticket on the hottest of summer days. To sum it up, any type of structure is what you are looking for. 
• Rivers, lakes, and ponds:  Cast near ambush points and let the lure zigzag across the surface. Working the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers creates perfect angles where fish sit and wait to strike.
• Strike timing: The pause allows fish to commit to the lure, while the following twitch often triggers the actual bite.
  
  

Photo: Pete Geruntho @petes.elitefishing

Choosing the Right Topwater Lure

When walking a topwater lure, balance and action are key. Lures that cast well and maintain a steady side-to-side action will consistently produce strikes. Colors should imitate local baitfish, and size should match the target species. Profile is always KEY, try and match the bait these predatory species are feeding on. Topwater walking baits in 3.5”, 5”, 7”, and 9” sizes are all effective, with the best choice depending on the species you’re targeting, bait fish you are imitating, and the conditions where you’re fishing.

The Stack Tackle Beletti, works perfectly in this setup. Its balanced design and realistic action make it effective across freshwater and saltwater species. Stack Tackle currently offers a Beletti that works both in fresh and saltwater for striped bass, bluefish, speckled trout, red fish, tarpon, snook, and more. We recommend using a braid main line to a 12-60lb monofilament (floating but more visible) or fluorocarbon leader (sinking but less visible) depending on species and location. Both leader types have been tested and will work great with our Beletti. 

Photo: Capt. Jose Nunez @captainjay117

Walking a topwater lure is a proven technique that works for countless species, from striped bass and bluefish in the Northeast to snook, tarpon, and redfish down South, as well as freshwater pike, musky, and bass. The key is mastering the walk-the-dog technique. Once you master this method, the possibilities are endless. Topwater fishing is exciting, visual, and incredibly rewarding.