The explosive moment when a striped bass erupts through the water's surface to attack a topwater lure represents one of fishing's most electrifying experiences. For anglers heading into the 2025 season, understanding which lures perform best under specific conditions could be the difference between a memorable catch and an empty cooler.
"Every time I see it happen, I still flip out in much the same way I did when I was a kid and experienced it for the very first time," said Matt Rissell, a seasoned fishing guide with more than 25 years of experience targeting striped bass. That childlike excitement, Rissell explains, never diminishes, even after decades of witnessing these dramatic surface strikes.
"Every time I see it happen, I still flip out in much the same way I did when I was a kid and experienced it for the very first time,"
The unpredictable nature of striper fishing presents constant challenges for anglers. While virtually any topwater lure might prove effective during a feeding frenzy when fish are aggressively pursuing baitfish, stripers become notably more selective when conditions calm down. During these periods of heightened fish wariness, lure selection becomes critical.
Current Season
Based on extensive field testing and guide experience, several topwater lures have emerged as standouts for the 2025 season. The Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper leads the value category, offering proven performance without breaking the budget. For anglers seeking the best "walk the dog" action, the Joebaggs Skipper delivers consistent results with its side-to-side swimming motion.
"walk the dog"
The Guides Secret Poppa Pencil tops the pencil popper category, while the Nomad Tackle Design Chug Norris excels as a traditional popper. Soft plastic enthusiasts will find success with the Lunker City Slug-Go, and the Musky Mania Saltwater Doc rounds out the selection as the overall best topwater striper lure for 2025.
Understanding topwater lure categories helps anglers match their approach to fishing conditions. These surface-floating lures create wakes, splashes, and disturbances that trigger aggressive responses from predatory fish like striped bass. The four main categories—poppers, pencil poppers, sliders, and floating jerk-baits—each serve distinct purposes depending on water conditions and fish behavior.
Poppers typically represent the first choice for many striper anglers. Their distinctive cupped head and tapered body design creates significant noise during retrieval, often proving irresistible to aggressive fish. "Stripers are angry, territorial, aggressive creatures. So, it's no wonder that they often try to destroy these noisy topwater lures," Rissell explained.
Unlike lures designed to precisely mimic local baitfish, poppers succeed through pure aggravation. Their loud, splashing action triggers territorial responses from stripers, prompting strikes based on instinct rather than hunger. Effective popper technique involves slow retrieval with short, sharp bursts followed by strategic pauses.
"Be sure to work it all the way to the boat—lots of strikes happen at the boat," Rissell advised. This pause-and-retrieve method, emphasizing moments of complete stillness, often produces the most explosive strikes as curious or frustrated stripers finally commit to attacking the motionless lure.
"Be sure to work it all the way to the boat—lots of strikes happen at the boat,"
Pencil poppers offer a different approach while maintaining similar effectiveness. "Though their outline and action are different, pencils also create a commotion on the water and annoy stripers into biting," Rissell noted. These lures excel at mimicking wounded baitfish through erratic, twitching movements along the surface.
"Though their outline and action are different, pencils also create a commotion on the water and annoy stripers into biting,"
The pencil popper's elongated profile and unique action make it particularly valuable when fish display more discriminating feeding behavior. Anglers employ methodical twitching techniques to create realistic splashing that imitates struggling baitfish, often triggering strikes from fish that might ignore more aggressive presentations.
Sliders represent the subtle end of the topwater spectrum. Characterized by their streamlined, compact designs, these lures glide across the surface with minimal noise or disturbance. While less dramatic than their popping cousins, sliders prove invaluable during challenging conditions when fish exhibit extreme caution.
These quiet presentations become essential tools when stripers are pressured, spooked, or simply finicky about feeding. The soft, natural action of sliders can convince wary fish to strike when louder options fail to generate interest.
Current Season
As the 2025 fishing season approaches, anglers equipped with understanding of these different topwater approaches will be better positioned for success. The key lies in reading conditions, understanding fish behavior, and matching lure selection to the specific scenario at hand.
Whether casting toward sod banks, working open water, or targeting specific structure, the right topwater lure can transform an ordinary fishing trip into an unforgettable experience. The thrill of watching a striped bass explode through the surface remains one of angling's greatest rewards, especially when armed with the proper tools and techniques to make it happen consistently.
