Super Minnow - 2 1/2" - Floating - represents minnow feeding along top water

In reservoirs without weed growth, favorite locations include long rocky points, sloping rock banks or areas of steep drops and shallow flats. In these locations, the jig is typically either dragged along the bottom - sort of like a crayfish scooting along - or hopped back to the boat. Rattles or noisemakers of some sort are strongly recommended for these areas.

In rocky areas crayfish are an especially popular and effective choice. They're typically rigged by hooking them through the third or fourth joint of the tail with a circle hook. Just enough split shot is used to keep the crayfish on the bottom. After that, just slowly drift around the area until you are satisfied it has been covered. This is known as "tight lining" in most locales.

One of the best kept secrets of nighttime smallmouth angling is the top water bite. Sure, everyone knows that smallies can be taken over weeds, off points and along steep bluffs. How many know about the other hotspots - the ones no one will talk about?

Some of the best night catches are made from relatively common areas such as swimming beaches and campgrounds. These are areas that are often passed over on the way to someplace "better."

These areas - where the water is relatively shallow and the bottom is generally devoid of structure or cover - are made for top water fishing; for whatever reason, they hold fish after dark once daytime activity has settled down. There are several theories to explain this. Some anglers believe that fish use these places to hunt, others believe the water cools quickly in these areas, and still others believe that the daytime activities increase the oxygen content of the water. The candid ones admit they don't know why - they just know the fish move in after dark.

Poppers and stick baits are excellent lure choices for these areas. Poppers are generally retrieved with a hard jerk that generates a large forward splash of water. It is then allowed to sit stationary for a few seconds before the jerk is repeated.

Stick baits require more practice, but can be even more effective, especially on larger fish. Learn to retrieve them with a wide, side-to-side walk. If retrieved in quick, hard jerks they will cause quite a commotion on the surface. This commotion seems to be magnified after dark. Most anglers do not stop their retrieve with this bait. They just keep it coming.

The color of these top water baits is important only to the extent that it is black. Experienced top water anglers point out that black makes the best silhouette against the nighttime sky - regardless of the moon phase. The darker the night, the blacker the lure should be, according to these anglers.