When’s the perfect time to go fishing for sloppy smallmouth?
Simple: Any chance you get.
And while we can hope for perfect conditions, expect to find completely different at the boat ramp. 
Yes, Mother Nature can be fickle, dishing out an obstacle course of variables one must navigate to catch fish on any given day.
Reduced water clarity after rainfall, big jumps in water temperature, high or low water, vegetation running wild, or, floating debris in the form of dead vegetation and leaves… stuff that can make fishing many go-to smallmouth bass presentations practically impossible.
But what’s the saying? When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Or at least kick it into four-wheel drive and improvise.
Here, Al Lindner and Mark Fisher chase smallmouth bass as late summer transitions to early fall. They encounter a challenging bite that forces the duo to think outside the box of conventional smallmouth bass tactics.
Going after sloppy smallmouth bass with hollow-body frogs catch more than largemouth in the slop… they double-duty on big smallmouth bass — especially in debris-filled waters.
Al and Fisher also take to clear, open-water areas with a new Rapala jerk bait design called the RipStop, completing a wicked one-two punch.
The perfect day to fish is any chance you get.
In this article, we will be discussing the effectiveness of using the Terminator Popping Frog to catch smallmouth bass in river systems. The hosts of Angling Edge TV demonstrate how this bait can be a game-changer in conditions where other topwater baits are not effective.
They also discuss the importance of using the right equipment and techniques to maximize success. Additionally, they touch on the history of Rapala baits and the unique features of the Rapala Ripstop jerk bait. Finally, they share some insights on the power of positive thinking and how it can impact our fishing experiences.
The Terminator Popping Frog: A Dynamite Bait for Smallmouth Bass
The hosts of Angling Edge TV start by introducing the Terminator Popping Frog as a highly effective bait for catching smallmouth bass.
They explain that in river systems and challenging conditions where other topwater baits are not effective, the Terminator Popping Frog can produce excellent results. They emphasize that they have been getting lots of bites on this bait and that it has become one of their go-to baits for targeting smallmouth bass.
Using the Right Equipment and Techniques
The hosts discuss the importance of using the right equipment and techniques when fishing with the Terminator Popping Frog.
They mention that they are using a 7-foot 1-inch medium-heavy power St. Croix rod paired with a Tula reel and 30-pound Sufix 832 line. They explain that this setup allows them to fish in heavy cover and quickly pull the fish out once they get a bite.
They also mention the importance of changing up angles and approaches when fishing in current breaks. They explain that by casting across the current and floating the bait up against the structure, they were able to catch fish. However, they also found success by changing their angle and casting the bait in a different direction, which created a whole new opportunity to catch fish.
The Rapala Ripstop: A Revolutionary Jerk Bait
The hosts then shift their focus to the Rapala Ripstop jerk bait. They discuss the unique features of this bait, including its minnow shape and the addition of a boot tail.
They explain that the boot tail not only adds action to the bait but also allows it to stop on a dime, making it a highly effective finesse jerk bait.
They also mention the history of Rapala baits and how they have evolved over the years. They highlight the original Rapala, the countdown Rapala, and the Husky Jerk as examples of minnow-shaped baits that have been successful in catching fish.
They emphasize that the shape of the bait is crucial in attracting fish and that the Ripstop is a standout bait in terms of its ability to stop quickly and entice strikes.
