Topwater Tactics for Big Smallmouth: Insights from Pro Angler Randy Howell
Smallmouth bass, known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights, are a favorite target for anglers across the country. Professional bass angler Randy Howell has honed his approach to catching these bronze-backed giants using topwater baits, particularly Livingston Lures’ Walking Boss series. By combining innovative lure design with modern technology like forward-facing sonar, Howell consistently lands big smallmouth during his northern tournament swings.
The Thrill of Topwater
For Howell, smallmouth fishing is a seasonal highlight, limited to a few months each year in northern lakes. “People who get to catch smallmouth all year are really blessed,” he says. His preferred method is topwater fishing, which he describes as “the most fun way to catch smallmouth anywhere I go.” The explosive surface strikes and acrobatic fights make it a thrilling pursuit.
Livingston’s Topwater Advantage
Howell has collaborated with Livingston Lures to dial in the Walking Boss, Walking Boss Jr., and Walking Boss II. These baits feature patented electronic baitfish sound technology that mimics distressed shad, giving anglers a unique edge. The Walking Boss, a "spook-style" bait, is tail-weighted for easy casting and effortless “walk the dog” action. “It’s like throwing a football with a spiral,” Howell says, highlighting its ability to cast long distances, even into the wind, thanks to its ballast and battery chamber.
The Walking Boss II, with an ABS plastic jitterbug-style lip, creates extra commotion on calm water, reminiscent of the classic Jitterbug. The Walking Boss Jr. is a smaller option for targeting fish feeding on smaller baitfish, offering the same castability and action. “It’s the easiest walking bait on the market,” Howell guarantees, emphasizing its user-friendly design.
Targeting Smallmouth
Howell focuses on shallow structure—rocks, boulders, islands, and humps in 5 to 10 feet of water. Using Lowrance mapping and forward-facing sonar, he locates these features and spots roaming fish up to 100 feet away. “You can see big fish around those rocks in 3 to 8 feet of water,” he notes. With a 7’4” Daiwa Tatula Elite rod, braided line, and an 8.1:1 high-speed Daiwa reel, Howell makes long casts and works the bait with quick wrist pops to create a side-to-side action that triggers explosive strikes.
The Second-Chance Edge
Livingston’s baits shine when smallmouth miss a strike, which is a common occurrence. “With the electronic baitfish sound, you let it sit there, twitch it a little, and they hear that distressed shad sound,” Howell explains. “They come back and suck it down.” This second-chance appeal sets Livingston’s baits apart, ensuring more smallmouth hitting the deck.
How to Walk the Dog: Working the Livingston Lures Walking Boss
To work a Livingston Lures Walking Boss effectively, use a medium-heavy rod with braided line for maximum strength and energy transfer. After casting, employ short, sharp downward wrist twitches while steadily retrieving to create a smooth side-to-side “walk the dog” motion, made effortless by the bait’s tail-weighted design and electronic baitfish sound chamber. Vary the retrieve speed—fast for aggressive smallmouth or slower for finicky fish—and incorporate occasional pauses to let the bait sit, mimicking a distressed shad with its patented sound technology. These pauses are critical, often triggering strikes from fish that initially miss, drawn back by the lifelike sound. For best results, extend pauses near the edges of cover, such as timber or vegetation, to entice fish hiding in or near structure.
Tips for Big Smallmouth on Topwater
Howell’s strategy is straightforward: target rocky structure, make long casts, and vary the retrieve speed to match the fish’s mood. “Sometimes they want it slow, sometimes fast,” he says. From post-spawn through early fall, topwater baits like the Walking Boss consistently attract larger smallmouth, delivering heart-pounding action and trophy fish.
The Livingston Lures Advantage: Forward-Facing Sonar Certified
Livingston Lures are forward-facing sonar certified—engineered and proven to perform flawlessly as FFS-driven presentations. With the rise of forward-facing sonar like Lowrance ActiveTarget and Garmin LiveScope, anglers can now spot individual smallmouth in real time and cast directly to them. The Walking Boss series excels in this environment, thanks to its castability, visibility, and sound technology that triggers fish even after a follow or missed strike. Whether hovering above a rock pile or patrolling a shallow flat, smallmouth that appear on the screen respond aggressively to Livingston’s patented EBS sound and natural walk-the-dog action. For FFS-savvy anglers, it’s not just about seeing fish—it’s about showing them something they can’t resist.
