Late spring and early fall have always proved to be the best time of year to get one of those heart-stopping topwater strikes. On most lakes, a windy point will guarantee the angler a fish or two. And if the angler times it right, those fish can be monsters.

One of my favorite topwater baits is the Storm Chug Bug. This four-inch chugger has placed many bass in my live well whether during tournaments or just out fun-fishing for the day. The bait has become one of my "go to" baits whenever I need to fill a limit or when the fish aren't interested in a worm or crank bait.

The 'Bug can be worked in many ways with my favorite method being a fast "walk-the-dog" - moving the bait in a frenzied manner while retrieving it only a short distance. It seems ole Mr. Big Mouth just can't refuse the action, especially in clear water. Try chrome/blue, chrome/black, white, or my favorite, hot tiger.

If you still are having a tough time, try the smaller version - the Baby Chug Bug. It comes in all of the standard colors, features the same feather-adorned tail hook and is sometimes the best bait over the standard Bug.

Of course, what would the fall topwater bite be like without the buzzbait. This is perhaps one of the most exciting baits to use. It can be retrieved through relatively thick brush and shallow brushpiles will erupt with the explosion of a bass, when the lure sputters through. Lunker Lures makes a bait that features a shad body with a tail spinner and rattle, and a blade that helps the bait rise quickly to the surface. The tail spinner allows the angler to fish the bait without the addition of any kind of trailer and the fish absolutely love its action.

I must mention a lure that is seldom used anymore when speaking of topwaters. The Devil's Horse has been around for many, many years and was at one time, a favorite for all of us "old-timers". But of you compare the new bait to one of the old ones, you'll notice the whole shape of the lure has been changed. The body is no longer larger at the leading end, tapering to a smaller profile at the rear spinner. Instead, the new baits are more symmetrical front to back. The newer style catches fish, but doesn't seem to have the same action as the older ones.

But you can't buy the old style anymore. So what do you do?

Here's a tip: When your wife wants to drag you to every flea market in Jenks or Grove (You've heard of those places before, right?), Gladly go along. Check out the old lure displays and you might be surprised as to what you find. Try to find the ones in white, chrome, yellow and perch. They might cost you up to four bucks, but what the heck. You spend that much on that crankbait and you have a better chance of losing it than you do the topwater.

This fall promises to be a good one as far as the topwater bite goes. The recent trips I've had have been fun, even though the fish haven't been up to my standards for size. But the white bass and the small blacks can keep you entertained. Besides, ever once and awhile the fishing Gods throw in a hybrid or a five pound black - just to keep you on your toes!