In this video, Bassmaster Elite Series angler Lee Livesay shares his expert tips on choosing the best fishing line for different topwater baits. Whether you’re throwing frogs, walking baits, or poppers, Livesay has you covered with detailed advice on line selection, rod setups, and hook choices to help you catch more fish.
THE BEST LINE FOR FROG FISHING
Livesay starts by discussing his go-to setup for frog fishing, emphasizing the importance of using braid. He primarily uses braid in 60-pound test, though he occasionally steps up to 80-pound test when targeting big bass in the thickest vegetation. Livesay mixes rods between a 7’2″ medium-heavy for sparse cover and a 7’9″ extra-heavy for heavy mats. This combination of strong braid and powerful rods ensures he can pull big bass out of even the thickest cover.
FEATURED PRODUCT (retail links)
FROG SETUP
- FROG – Snag Proof Smashmouth Frog: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- FROG LINE – Sunline FX2 Frogging and Flipping, 60-pound: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD (moderate cover) – Halo Fishing KS II Elite Series Casting Rod, 7’2” Medium Heavy – Fast: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
• ROD (moderate cover) – Halo Fishing KS II Elite Series Casting Rod, 7’9” Extra Heavy – Fast: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
WALKING BAITS AND THE ADVANTAGE OF BRAID
Livesay also recommends using braid, specifically Sunline FX2, for walking baits in 40 or 50-pound tests. The braid’s no-stretch characteristic allows for better hooksets, especially on long casts. Livesay explains that he prefers using a 7’0″ medium-power cranking rod for all his walking baits, whether targeting largemouth or smallmouth bass. He also shares a tip: skip the monofilament leader and go straight braid for better performance and reliability.
WALKING BAIT SETUP
- WALKING BAIT – 6th Sense Crush Dogma Topwater Walking Bait: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Halo HFX, 7′ Medium Cranking Rod: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B Casting Reel: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE – Sunline FX2 Frogging and Flipping, 40- to 50-pound: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- HOOK UPGRADE – Gamakatsu EWG Treble Short Shank Magic Eye: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- HOOK UPGRADE – Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Nano G-Finesse Treble Hook: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
WHY MONO IS IDEAL FOR POPPERS AND PROP BAITS
When it comes to poppers and prop baits, Livesay shifts gears and opts for monofilament. He uses 20-pound mono, which floats and provides the necessary stretch to keep fish hooked, especially lightly hooked fish. Livesay highlights that mono is ideal for these baits because it helps maintain the bait’s buoyancy, ensuring the lure stays on the surface and performs correctly. His preferred rod for these baits is a 6’10” medium-power graphite rod paired with a high-speed reel for accurate, powerful casts.
POPPER AND PROP BAIT SETUP
- POPPER – 6th Sense Splash Back Topwater Popper: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Halo HFX, 6’10” Medium – Fast: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B Casting Reel: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE – Sunline Super Natural Monofilament, 20-pound: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
FINAL TAKEAWAYS FOR TOPWATER SUCCESS
Livesay concludes by emphasizing the importance of matching your line and rod to your specific topwater bait. Doing so will increase your chances of landing more fish. From heavy cover to open water, the proper setup can make all the difference in your topwater fishing game.
