Al and Dan Lindner travel to the remote wilderness waters of Marmion Lake in Ontario, where smallmouth bass are big, feisty and plentiful. Surface lures kick up a ruckus for bronzebacks atop shallow reefs.
Topwater Smallmouth Mayhem: Chasing Giants in Open Water
When it comes to thrilling fishing experiences, few things compare to the explosive surface strikes of smallmouth bass crushing topwater baits. In the vast, clear waters of Ontario, this electrifying bite becomes more than just a tactic—it’s the essence of an unforgettable angling adventure.
Never Leave the Dock Without a Topwater
In this part of the country, topwater lures are essential. Some of the largest smallmouth bass you’ll catch are on topwater baits. Once the bite turns on, it can feel like every cast is met with a hit. The sheer intensity and consistency of the action are what fishing dreams are made of—pure adrenaline, cast after cast.
A Frenzy of Giants
When the bite is hot, it’s truly on fire. Doubles are common, with fish erupting across the surface, chasing bait and ambushing lures. Anglers often find themselves reeling in massive bronzebacks—“mules” as they’re fondly called—often side-by-side with a buddy doing the same.
Few fish in the bass family are as responsive to topwater baits as smallmouths. In fact, they are more likely than largemouth or spotted bass to take topwater consistently, especially in open water scenarios.
Smallmouths and the Open Water Hunt
Many people associate topwater lures with fishing around visible cover—lily pads, stumps, docks—but on large Canadian lakes like the one featured in this segment, the key is moving cover. The “cover” here isn’t wood or weeds—it’s the pelagic baitfish that roam the open water basins.
This concept of mobile structure—a term coined by James Lindner—refers to the roaming pods of baitfish like cisco, smelt, and tulibee. Smallmouths actively hunt these forage species in open water, often suspending over deep basins and chasing bait far from shore or traditional structure.
Feeding Frenzy Fueled by Forage
In Ontario’s big lakes, the abundance of open-water forage fuels aggressive feeding behavior. These fish gorge on mayflies, minnows, crawfish—you name it. The larger the lake and the more pelagic forage it holds, the more likely the smallmouth will suspend and roam instead of staying locked to classic structure.
The top of the hump they’re fishing is around 15–16 feet, but the fish are holding 25–30 feet deep around it, emphasizing how important it is to think beyond conventional structure when targeting big smallmouths.
The Four Essential Topwater Styles
There are four core hardbait topwater styles every smallmouth angler should know:
- Prop Baits – Like the Rapala Skitter Prop or X-Rap Prop. These excel in choppy or wavy conditions where other baits fail. They also shine in current, where minimal movement triggers the blade.
- Pop Baits – Such as the Skitter Pop or X-Rap Pop. These are ideal when fish are neutral to positive. A pop-and-pause retrieve keeps the lure in the strike zone, making it irresistible to curious bass.
- Jump Baits – Like the Skitter Walk. These require skill to walk-the-dog properly but are proven big fish baits. Best used in calm conditions, early mornings, or late evenings.
- Wake Baits – Like the BX Waking Minnow. This bait creates a rolling, mirror-like effect on the water’s surface. It casts far and works in both calm and wavy water. Fish it fast or slow—it gets crushed either way.
Gear for Topwater Success
When fishing these lures, gear matters. A baitcasting setup is preferred, using monofilament line like Sufix Mono in 14- to 17-pound test. Mono floats and keeps the lure properly positioned. While some anglers use braid, it can be too unforgiving and rip hooks out of the fish during a topwater strike. Mono offers the right balance of stretch and forgiveness to ensure more fish make it to the boat.
Controlled Chaos
The bite can be so consistent that the camera crew has to enforce a one-angler-at-a-time rule just to keep up. Cast, strike, hookset, photo, release—then switch. It’s a rhythm that brings out the joy of fishing at its most intense.
This type of topwater action, particularly in the remote wilderness of Ontario, is unforgettable. But the underlying lesson is even more valuable: big smallmouths aren’t always tied to structure. They follow the food. And if you follow the bait with the right topwater lure in hand, chances are, you’ll find the giants.
Topwater Heaven: Big Smallmouth, Big Water, Big Memories
Few fishing experiences compare to the chaos and thrill of a smallmouth topwater bite in full swing. As the surface erupts with aggressive bronze-backed torpedoes, it’s not just a catch—it’s a memory that gets etched into your fishing soul.
Tackle Talk: The Right Gear for the Right Bite
To keep up with this style of high-energy fishing, a solid setup is essential. The anglers in this adventure use baitcasting rods with monofilament line—specifically Sufix 14- or 17-pound mono—which helps keep topwater lures floating properly. Some might prefer braid for sensitivity, but mono provides just the right stretch to prevent tearing hooks out on those violent surface strikes.
A standout on this trip was the Tour Magnum reel, newly introduced and built from lightweight magnesium. Fast, reliable, and a pleasure to fish with, it allowed long casts to distant schools and smooth retrieves through open water.
The Wake Bait: Star of the Show
Among the topwater arsenal, one lure consistently rose above: the Rapala BX Wake Bait. It delivered again and again, drawing strikes from huge smallmouths that attacked with the ferocity of a muskie. Its counter-weighted design gave it a seductive, rolling action that mimicked real baitfish and tempted the biggest predators around. Time and again, it proved its worth as a go-to bait in both calm and rough conditions.
The strikes were so exciting that the anglers could barely wait their turn. With each cast, they were expecting—and getting—explosive hits from fish that seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
The Secret to Topwater Success? Big, Clear Water
There’s a pattern to where these topwater blowups happen: large, clear bodies of water. From northern natural lakes to southern reservoirs, these fisheries share a few key traits: expansive basins, clear visibility, and suspended pelagic forage like ciscoes or smelt. These open-water systems allow smallmouth to roam and hunt more like pelagic predators than structure-bound ambush feeders.
While many anglers think of topwater as a shallow-water game, the truth is eye-opening: some of the best strikes in this trip occurred over 50 to 60 feet of water, where the fish were simply chasing bait. Once you break free from the mindset of casting only to shoreline cover, a whole new world of opportunity opens up—especially for big smallmouths.
Come North for the Trip of a Lifetime
For the serious smallmouth angler, Northwest Ontario is a dream destination. The Atikokan area, in particular, is home to a staggering number of top-tier smallmouth lakes. The crew used Crystal Beach Resort as their base of operations, a drive-to destination that provides easy access to phenomenal fishing without the hassle of fly-ins or remote logistics.
If you’ve never caught a big brown bass on topwater, this is the place to make it happen. July and August are prime months, especially for anglers looking to escape the sweltering southern heat. Pack your bags, grab your buddies or kids, and hit the road north. You’ll find smallmouth that crush baits with reckless abandon—and create memories you’ll be chasing for the rest of your life.
A Personal Word from the Water
For Al, who has been making this trip annually for over 40 years, there’s a deep connection between this fishery and the moments it brings. These aren’t just fish stories—they’re life highlights. And beyond the rods, reels, and boats, there’s something timeless about standing on a big lake, watching your lure wake across the surface, and waiting for that heart-stopping strike.
In a personal moment to end the day, Al shared his favorite book of the Bible—Proverbs. He reflected on how it speaks to the everyday wisdom needed for life: raising families, making good decisions, treating others well. He encouraged every viewer to pick up a Bible, mark up the verses, and find something that speaks directly to them—just like a big fish on a wake bait.
See You on the Water
Topwater smallmouth fishing in Northwest Ontario isn’t just a technique—it’s a passion, a pursuit, and, for many, a pilgrimage. From the thunderous strikes to the mirror-like calm of a northern morning, this experience is everything a bass angler dreams about.
