“Walking the dog” is the rhythmic side-to-side action of a topwater walking plug, a Zara Spook, Super Spook, or similar. Done right, the lure glides left, then right, then left across the surface like a wounded, fleeing baitfish. It's a technique worth learning because when it's on, it draws the biggest, most aggressive fish up to eat where you can see it.
When to use it
Topwater shines in low light and calm-ish water: the hour around dawn and dusk, overcast days, and at night. It's most effective when fish are up high in the water column and bait is on or near the surface. Flat, glassy conditions over a flat or a slick behind a rip are ideal.
The technique, step by step
- Cast past the target and let the plug settle.
- Point the rod tip down toward the water and keep a little slack in the line.
- Twitch the rod in a steady rhythm, a soft downward snap of the wrist, and reel up the slack between twitches. It's twitch, slack, twitch, slack, not a hard pull.
- The slack line is what lets the plug swing its head side to side. Find a cadence and the lure will “walk.”
- Vary it: speed up, slow down, and add a pause, especially if you see a fish following.
Gear
A 7- to 7½-foot medium-heavy spinning setup with 20–30 lb braid and a couple feet of fluorocarbon leader is perfect, enough backbone to move a big fish and cast a heavy plug, with a tip soft enough to keep from tearing hooks.
Tip Swap the factory trebles for single inline hooks. You'll land plenty of fish, the hookups are often more secure, and unhooking (and releasing) a big bass, and yourself, is far safer and faster.