Topwater Lures for Smallmouth Bass: 6 Best Picks for Every Need (2026)

By Ethan Brooks

Updated November 2026

Choosing topwater lures for smallmouth bass comes down to matching the bait’s action, size and sound to the water you fish and the mood of the fish. This list looks at six topwater options across poppers, walking-style baits, a jitterbug-style lure and a soft frog bait. Each pick was judged on the factors that matter most for smallmouth: how the lure sits and moves, how well it suits clear rocky water and streams, hook quality, durability, and the consistent patterns owners report. Nothing here is based on our own field testing; the notes reflect manufacturer specifications and common owner feedback.

Our Top Picks

Quick Comparison

Topwater Fishing Lures With Storage Box, Whopper Popper for Bass, Catfish, Pike, Perch

Topwater Fishing Lures With Storage Box, Whopper Popper for Bass, Catfish, Pike, Perch – Floating Pencil Bait With Rotating Tail for Freshwater or Saltwater

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Best for: All-around topwater smallmouth fishing with a range of colors in one box

This pick suits anglers who want a complete surface setup without buying lures one at a time. The pencil-style body and rotating tail give a steady surface disturbance that works well when smallmouth are active in the mid-morning or evening.

Key specs

• Floating pencil-style popper body
• Rotating tail for added surface action
• Sold with a storage box
• Freshwater and saltwater use per listing

Pros

• Good value for building a surface selection
• Storage box keeps baits organized and separated
• Rotating tail adds sound and flash without a hard retrieve

Cons

• Hook quality varies across packs, and many owners replace the stock hooks
• Body finish may chip with heavy use on rock

Bottom line: A strong first choice for anglers who want one box covering several surface patterns.

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Rebel Lures Pop-R Topwater Popper Fishing Lure

Rebel Lures Pop-R Topwater Popper Fishing Lure

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Best for: Clear, pressured water where a gentle popping action draws strikes

The Pop-R is a long-established popper design. Its cupped face throws a sharp splash and pops, which tends to appeal to smallmouth in clear lakes where subtle surface noise works better than loud commotion.

Key specs

• Cup-face popper design
• Hard-body construction
• Suited to casting over rock and shallow flats

Pros

• Well-known popper profile with a dependable action
• Easy to work with a short twitch-and-pause retrieve
• Holds up well to repeated casting

Cons

• Limited color options compared with larger assortments
• Requires a steady retrieve rhythm to stay effective

Bottom line: Best for anglers who already know how to work a popper and fish clear, pressured water.

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Arbogast Jitterbug Topwater Bass Fishing Lure

Arbogast Jitterbug Topwater Bass Fishing Lure – Excellent for Night Fishing

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Best for: Night fishing and low-light conditions when smallmouth feed near the surface

The Jitterbug is a classic wobbling bait. Its erratic side-to-side movement on the surface can trigger strikes when the bite is slow and fish want something they can track by sound and vibration.

Key specs

• Cupped-face wobbling design
• Works on a steady, slow retrieve
• Well suited to dusk, dawn and night use

Pros

• Strong performance in low light
• Simple to fish with a steady retrieve
• Long track record with bass anglers

Cons

• Can foul in heavy weeds without careful casting
• Less effective when fish want a sharp, aggressive popper

Bottom line: A reliable choice for anglers who fish after dark or early and late in the day.

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Berkley Choppo Topwater Fishing Lure, Bone, Size 120

Berkley Choppo Topwater Fishing Lure, Bone, Size 120, Cupped Propeller Tail for Balance of Sound and Spray, Equipped with Sharp Fusion19TM Hook

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Best for: Subtle walk-the-dog retrieves that keep the bait on the surface longer

The Choppo’s cupped propeller tail is designed to balance sound and spray. It suits anglers who want a bait that creates a steady surface wake and can be worked in a walk-the-dog style.

Key specs

• Size 120 body
• Cupped propeller tail
• Equipped with a sharp Fusion19 hook per manufacturer description

Pros

• Balanced sound and spray for a natural surface profile
• Hook quality is a frequent point of praise in owner feedback
• Works across a range of retrieve speeds

Cons

• Requires practice to master the walk-the-dog rhythm
• Larger body may be too big for small smallmouth on some days

Bottom line: Good for anglers who want a versatile surface bait and are willing to refine their retrieve.

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5pcs Fishing Popper Lure, Colorful 3D Eyes Topwater Lures Bass Lures Fishing Hard Baits

5pcs Fishing Popper Lure, Colorful 3D Eyes Topwater Lures Bass Lures Fishing Hard Baits

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Best for: Budget multi-pack setups for trying different surface patterns

This five-piece assortment is a practical way to test popper action across several colors. The 3D eyes add a lifelike look that many anglers prefer in clear water.

Key specs

• Pack of five hard-body poppers
• Assorted colors with 3D eyes
• Hard-bait construction

Pros

• Strong value for trying several colors
• Good starting point for new topwater anglers
• Lightweight and easy to cast with a light rod

Cons

• Hook and paint quality can vary between units
• Not a premium build for heavy, daily use

Bottom line: A sensible buy for anglers who want variety on a tight budget.

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Frog Lure Ray Frog Topwater Fishing Crankbait Lures/Artificial Soft Bait

5pcs Frog Lure Ray Frog Topwater Fishing Crankbait Lures/Artificial Soft Bait 5.5CM 8G Soft Tube Bait,Especially for Bass Snakehead,Freshwater Soft Bai Musky Tackle Box Spitted weedless bas

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Best for: Weedy edges, lily pads and heavy cover where a weedless surface bait is needed

Frog-style baits let smallmouth-focused anglers fish heavy surface cover that would snag other lures. The soft body gives a natural presentation when worked slowly across the top.

Key specs

• Soft frog-style body approximately 5.5 cm
• Weedless spinning design per listing
• Suitable for bass and other freshwater species

Pros

• Fishes through weeds and pads that stop hard baits
• Soft body gives a lifelike feel on the strike
• Works well for slow, steady surface presentations

Cons

• Soft plastic can tear after repeated strikes
• Less effective in open, clear water where smallmouth prefer rock and current

Bottom line: A useful addition for anglers who fish cover, though it is a niche choice for smallmouth compared with poppers.

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Buying Guide

Body style: poppers, walkers and wobblers

Poppers throw a sharp splash and pop, which works well when smallmouth respond to noise. Walking-style baits move side to side with a steady retrieve. Wobblers like the Jitterbug push water in an erratic path. Start with a popper and switch styles if the fish ignore it.

Good picks for this: Rebel Lures Pop-R, Arbogast Jitterbug

Size and fit to your fish

Smallmouth commonly feed on baitfish and crayfish in the 2 to 4 inch range, so lures around 2.5 to 4 inches are a practical starting point. Larger baits can draw bigger fish but may get fewer strikes overall. Scale down when the fish are small or the water is cold.

Good picks for this: Berkley Choppo, 5pcs Fishing Popper Lure

Sound and action

Cupped faces and propeller tails create more sound and spray, which helps in stained or windy water. Quiet, subtle profiles suit clear, pressured lakes. Match the noise level to the conditions rather than always using the loudest bait.

Good picks for this: Topwater Fishing Lures With Storage Box, Berkley Choppo

Hook quality and sharpness

Owner feedback frequently mentions hooks as the first thing to upgrade on budget topwater lures. Check that trebles are sharp and not bent, and consider swapping to a hook you trust. Sharp hooks matter more than bright paint for landing fish.

Good picks for this: Berkley Choppo, Topwater Fishing Lures With Storage Box

Water type and cover

Rocky shorelines, clear lakes and moving rivers call for different approaches. Weedless frog baits suit cover, while poppers and walkers suit open rock and shallow flats. Think about where the smallmouth hold before you choose a bait.

Good picks for this: Frog Lure Ray Frog Topwater, Arbogast Jitterbug

Durability and finish

Hard-body lures usually outlast soft plastics on rock, but paint can chip. Soft frog baits may tear after repeated strikes. Inspect lures after each trip and retire any with bent hooks or cracked bodies.

Good picks for this: Rebel Lures Pop-R, 5pcs Fishing Popper Lure

Care and storage

Rinse lures in fresh water after use, especially in salt or weedy water, and dry them before storing. Store in a box with separate compartments so hooks do not tangle and finishes do not scratch.

Good picks for this: Topwater Fishing Lures With Storage Box

FAQ

What is the best topwater lure for smallmouth bass?

There is no single best lure for every day. Poppers like the Whopper Popper-style bait and the Rebel Pop-R are common first choices because they are easy to fish and effective across many conditions.

What color topwater lure works best for smallmouth?

Natural shad, bone and white tones are widely used in clear water, while darker or chartreuse colors can help in stained water. Match the color to the forage and light conditions.

When is the best time to fish topwater for smallmouth?

Early morning, late evening and overcast days are typically productive. Smallmouth often move shallow to feed when light is low and surface activity increases.

Do I need a special rod for topwater lures?

A medium-light to medium spinning or baitcasting rod with a moderate-fast action works well. Its flex helps you cast lightweight poppers and set the hook without tearing the lure free.

What line should I use for topwater fishing?

Many anglers use braided line for its sensitivity and strong hooksets, often with a fluorocarbon leader. Monofilament is a forgiving choice if you want more stretch around the surface.

Are frog lures good for smallmouth bass?

They are most useful in weedy or padded cover. In open rocky water, poppers and walkers usually produce more strikes.

How should I retrieve a popper for smallmouth?

Use short sharp twitches followed by pauses, letting the lure sit still for a few seconds. Vary the rhythm until you find what the fish respond to that day.

Conclusion

For most anglers, the Whopper Popper-style storage-box set is a practical all-around starting point, and the Rebel Pop-R suits clear, pressured water. The Arbogast Jitterbug is worth carrying for low light, the Berkley Choppo rewards a patient walk-the-dog retrieve, the five-piece popper pack is a sensible budget way to test colors, and the frog bait is a specialist choice for weedy cover. Match each lure to the water and the mood of the fish, and upgrade hooks as needed.

Sources

• Fish and Wildlife Service information on freshwater fish habitat and responsible angling practices (fws.gov)
• USGS research on freshwater fish ecology and stream habitat (usgs.gov)
• State wildlife agency guidance on smallmouth bass regulations and seasons (wildlife.utah.gov)

Related reading

• What Do Smallmouth Bass Eat? Lures That Match Their Diet
• Topwater Lures for Peacock Bass: 5 Best Picks for Every Need (2026)
• Top 5 Topwater Lures for Largemouth Bass Worth Considering in 2026
• Best Lures for River Smallmouth Bass: 8 Proven Picks and How to Fish Them

About Ethan Brooks

Ethan Brooks is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our freshwater fishing tackle on a budget guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.