Fishing is a beloved pastime for many in Canada, with its beautiful lakes, rivers, and coastal waters offering prime opportunities to target various fish species. Whether you’re a novice angler just getting started or someone looking to upgrade their fishing gear, the right fishing lure can make all the difference in your success. One type of lure that is both effective and engaging for beginners is the handmade topwater fishing lure.
Topwater lures work by floating on the surface of the water and mimicking the movement of injured or struggling prey, creating ripples and splashes that attract predatory fish. Handmade lures, in particular, offer unique advantages such as craftsmanship, customization, and realistic designs. In this guide, we’ll compare different types of handmade topwater fishing lures, focusing on those suitable for beginners in Canada. We’ll also provide tips on how to choose the best topwater lure for your needs, ensuring you have a great fishing experience.
Why Topwater Fishing Lures Are Perfect for Beginners
For anglers just starting, the choice of fishing lure can be overwhelming. However, topwater fishing lures stand out as an excellent choice for beginners, especially in Canadian waters. Here’s why they are a great option:
1. Easy to Use
Topwater lures are relatively easy to use compared to other types of fishing lures, making them ideal for beginners. Their simple retrieve technique—casting and reeling—is easy to learn. Beginners can enjoy the thrill of fishing without needing advanced skills to use the lure effectively.
2. Visual Feedback
Unlike subsurface lures, topwater lures offer visible strikes. When a fish strikes a topwater lure, you can often see the action, which adds excitement to the experience and helps you learn when to set the hook. This visual aspect is incredibly helpful for new anglers who may still be developing their ability to feel bites.
3. Highly Effective
Topwater lures are incredibly effective for a wide range of fish species, including bass, pike, and trout, which are commonly found in Canadian lakes and rivers. These fish often hunt near the surface, making topwater lures a perfect match for targeting these species.
4. Suitable for Shallow Waters
Many of Canada’s lakes and rivers are shallow, and topwater lures are designed to be used in these environments. The lure’s ability to stay near the surface ensures that you can fish in these areas without the need for deep-water setups or specialized equipment.
Types of Handmade Topwater Fishing Lures for Beginners in Canada
There are several types of handmade topwater fishing lures available, each with its own design and purpose. Understanding the differences between these lures will help you choose the one that best suits your fishing conditions and target species.
1. Poppers
Popper lures are one of the most popular types of topwater lures. They feature a concave mouth that produces a popping sound and splash when retrieved. This action mimics an injured or struggling prey animal, making it highly effective for attracting fish.
- Best For: Bass, pike, and lake trout in shallow to mid-depth waters
- Action: A popping sound and splash that creates a feeding frenzy
- Best Used: Early mornings or evenings when fish are feeding on the surface
Popper lures are a great choice for beginners because they’re easy to use, and their action is simple to replicate by simply reeling them in with short jerks.
2. Walking Baits (Pencil Lures)
Walking baits, often referred to as pencil lures, are long, slender lures that create a side-to-side “walking” action when retrieved. This movement mimics a baitfish swimming across the surface of the water, which is highly attractive to fish, especially in calm or low-light conditions.
- Best For: Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and pike
- Action: Side-to-side “walking” motion that mimics a distressed prey
- Best Used: Clear waters and situations where fish are actively hunting baitfish
Walking baits are perfect for beginners because they can be used with a steady retrieve and produce visible results.
3. Buzzbaits
Buzzbaits are designed to create a loud noise and surface disturbance as they are retrieved, which can attract fish even from a distance. These lures are excellent for shallow waters and are ideal for fishing in weedy or vegetated areas.
- Best For: Largemouth bass, pike, and northern trout
- Action: High-pitched buzzing noise and spinning action
- Best Used: Shallow waters with vegetation or heavy cover
Buzzbaits are an excellent choice for beginners because they create lots of noise and movement, which can help attract fish even if they’re not immediately visible in the water.
4. Frog Lures
Frog lures are designed to mimic the action of frogs or small amphibians that fish prey upon in shallow waters, particularly near aquatic vegetation. They’re excellent for fishing around lily pads, reeds, and other aquatic plants.
- Best For: Bass, pike, and other predatory fish
- Action: Slow, erratic action that mimics a frog’s movements
- Best Used: Areas with thick vegetation or lily pads
Frog lures are simple to use and offer a fun challenge for beginners, making them a great choice for fishing in shallow, weedy areas.
Comparing the Best Handmade Topwater Lures for Beginners in Canada
When it comes to handmade topwater lures, quality and craftsmanship play a significant role in their effectiveness. Below, we compare some of the top handmade options for beginners in Canada, providing insight into their key features and performance.
1. Lurebolt Handmade Popper
The Lurebolt Handmade Popper is a classic topwater lure with a hand-crafted concave mouth designed to produce a strong popping sound. This lure is crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring that it can withstand the wear and tear of saltwater and freshwater fishing alike.
- Best For: Bass, pike, and trout
- Action: Strong popping and splashing action
- Colors: Available in natural fish patterns like shad, perch, and bluegill
- Durability: Crafted with durable, high-quality materials to last
- Strengths: Ideal for beginners, easy to use, and produces visible strikes
2. Lurebolt Handmade Walking Bait (Pencil Lure)
The Lurebolt Handmade Walking Bait is a well-crafted pencil lure designed to create a smooth side-to-side motion on the water’s surface. This lure is designed to mimic a baitfish in distress, making it perfect for predatory fish that hunt on the surface.
- Best For: Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and pike
- Action: Realistic side-to-side “walking” motion
- Colors: Available in various colors including silver, blue, and chartreuse
- Durability: Handmade from premium materials for long-lasting performance
- Strengths: Great for fishing in clear waters and low-light conditions
3. Lurebolt Handmade Frog Lure
The Lurebolt Handmade Frog Lure is designed to mimic the erratic, slow-moving action of a frog on the surface. It’s perfect for targeting fish in weedy or vegetated areas where other lures might struggle.
- Best For: Largemouth bass, pike, and other surface feeders
- Action: Slow, erratic action that mimics a frog
- Colors: Realistic frog patterns, as well as bright colors for better visibility
- Durability: Handmade with high-quality, soft yet durable materials
- Strengths: Great for fishing in lily pads and thick cover
4. Lurebolt Handmade Buzzbait
The Lurebolt Handmade Buzzbait features a high-pitch buzzing action that works wonders in shallow waters, especially in weedy areas. Its hand-crafted design ensures durability and effectiveness in attracting fish.
- Best For: Largemouth bass and pike
- Action: High-pitched buzzing and surface disturbance
- Colors: Available in bright, attention-grabbing colors
- Durability: Built to withstand the tough conditions of freshwater environments
- Strengths: Excellent for fishing in weedy or overgrown areas
How to Use Handmade Topwater Lures for Beginners
Using topwater lures effectively requires some basic skills, but beginners can quickly get the hang of it with a little practice. Here are some tips on how to use handmade topwater fishing lures effectively:
1. Casting and Retrieving
- Cast the lure to the area you want to fish, making sure to target likely fish-holding structures, such as submerged rocks, weed beds, or drop-offs.
- Once the lure lands on the water, begin retrieving it at a steady, moderate speed.
- For poppers, use short jerks of the rod to create a popping action, and for walking baits, use a smooth side-to-side retrieve.
2. Varying Speed and Action
- Experiment with the retrieval speed to see what works best. If the fish aren’t responding, try reeling faster or slower to mimic different prey types.
- For frog lures, try a slow, deliberate retrieve to imitate a frog struggling to escape.
3. Watch for Strikes
- The best part of using topwater lures is watching the fish strike. Be patient and observe the water closely. If a fish strikes, wait a moment before setting the hook.
Where to Buy Handmade Topwater Fishing Lures for Beginners in Canada
If you’re looking for high-quality, handmade topwater fishing lures for beginners, Lurebolt has you covered. We offer a wide selection of handcrafted lures, each designed to provide realistic action and help you achieve better results on the water. Whether you’re fishing for bass in Ontario’s lakes or pike in Quebec’s rivers, our lures are designed to withstand tough conditions and perform well in various fishing environments.
Visit lurebolt.com today to explore our range of handmade topwater lures and other premium fishing gear.
Conclusion
Handmade topwater fishing lures are a fantastic choice for beginners looking to get into fishing in Canada. These lures provide ease of use, realistic action, and versatility across various species and fishing conditions. By choosing the right lure—whether it’s a popper, walking bait, frog lure, or buzzbait—and following simple techniques, you’ll be well on your way to a successful fishing experience.
For high-quality, durable, and effective handmade topwater lures, visit lurebolt.com and elevate your fishing experience today!
This comprehensive guide to handmade topwater fishing lures for beginners in Canada provides the information and insight needed to choose the best lures and improve your fishing success.