surface lures

hi guys, I really fancy doing some surface fishing this summer for pike, perch ect because I think its probably the best type of fishing. just wanted to know your thoughts, success rates and what lures are best to get ? im looking at jitterbugs but the postage on ebay is abit much for me. I live in Bolton so if you know a place that sells surface lures close by please let me know! hope to hear from you and tight lines !

Give poppers a try I've had a few jacks on them. You'll find you'll miss quite a few takes but its still quite exciting watching the attacks. I'm thinking about giving the frog type lures a shot over lillies as they're pretty weedless.

Hi Sam,for heart stopping surface takes you can't beat frogging.A lot of takes are missed(or is that only me  )but great fun.If you go on the L.A.S.forum you will find online lure sites that will sell you all the lures you need,and loads you don't need in my case  .AGM stock Jitterbugs but the other sites,Harris,The Pike Shop,Lure World etc will all stock what you require.And if you join the L.A.S you get the benefit of discounts from the above.

If its frogs you are after try here >> fishleads
This is our own Kell      

You will, no doubt have varied and mixed replies on other anglers advice and experiences fishing the surface on this thread. This year is my first year where for the warmer months I'm focusing on surface lures.
Ive already had half a dozen sessions throwing surface baits, I will admit it has been slow, but each time I'm learned something and experiencing new things I've gone along. most of the stuff I'm about to type is knowledge and advice passed to me.

Rods need to have a good backbone and relatively fast action, especially if you'll be fishing the weedless frogs for the pike amongst thick, dense vegetation such as weeds and pads, as you'd need to make sure that you are able to set the hooks and bully the fish out. The Savage gear bushwhacker 8ft 15g-50g is an ideal rod paired with a 4000 sized reel loaded with 50lb braid and using 55lb K2K ti leaders. I knot my leaders, for clips I use savage gear medium egg snaps & for swivels no, I use a carp rig link for where the braid is tied on lastly for a little touch of neatness I use shrink tubing over the knots. all this is for is to reduce the weight on the leader, so far I'm yet to change the first leader I tied on!

lures, like any others, its best to start with a few of mixed variety before going on a spending spree.

Wakebaits - http://mhcustomlures.blogspot.co.uk/
Scroll down the page until you find em, not too pricey neither too cheap. well made, through wired balsa bodied wakebaits, Ive had a good few exciting hits on mine, all you need to do is cast out and reel in very slowly with pauses. best ideal for waters where the vegetation that is about half a foot below the surface as they can dive just a touch under.

Jitterbugs - http://www.agmdiscountfishing.co.uk/surface-lures-c-84_74.html
work 'em same way as the wakebaits, these could be used on waters where the vegetation is closer to the surface

Poppers   http://www.talktofrank.com/drug/poppers
I think folk sniff the vapours from the bottles to talk to the pink and yellow bunny elephants     
kidding, kidding -

I haven't yet got a single popper to my name, they don't appeal to me that much, but they are on the list to try. Can get them through AGM tackle on same page in the link for jitterbugs.

frogs - http://www.futurefishing.co.uk/spro-bronzeeyefrog65-6923-p.asp
abit pricey as they can be touching just over twelve quid. but if you give Tony a call I'm sure you can have a haggle with him   
saw some veterans frogs, they look like they have been put through a paper shredder.You can chuck these virtually anywhere, as the hookpoints sit nicely tucked close to the soft collapsible body making the good snagproof baits. best used when the waters surface is calm, also from what others have said, they can be tricky to set the hooks but you must hit hard when you feel that its in the fishes mouth.

Toads - http://www.agmdiscountfishing.co.uk/frogs-surface-lures-c-39_86.html

soft plastic toads, rigged with a offset hook and fished just under the surface. Ideal when there is a bit of a breeze on the surface.


there are probably plenty more that I'm yet to list, but these should be good selection to start off with. come Saturday I'll be out on a midlands water with Ian throwing some surface baits.

Here you go I also have spro daddys that i used but at £12 a chuck i dont think so . Biggest point is when you get a take let it take the lure before striking that is one reason why people miss a lot of takes too eager to strike. have fun. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121320473327&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

anything thats good enough for this guy will do for me,, i have a box full of these so i'll let you know if i catch owt off the surface with em    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMG9Pp1VWX8

cheers guys. Alex im looking at using small surface lures if im honest ive only got a small 7-20g rod. just fishing canals and small waters that arnt very weedy or have much lillys in. they do have big pike in but im just after the thrills of surface fishing really. cheers, Tight lines