Topwater Redfish: Trigger Explosive Strikes with the Chug Norris
Nothing in inshore fishing compares to the heart-pounding excitement of a Bull Redfish crushing a topwater lure. Seeing that bronze flash rocket up from the shallows, watching the surface erupt, and hearing your drag scream that’s the kind of adrenaline hit that keeps anglers obsessed for life.
Topwater fishing for Redfish isn’t always easy, but when the stars align, it’s one of the most visual and rewarding ways to fish. Because Redfish have a downward-facing mouth built for rooting along the bottom after crabs and shrimp, they don’t naturally feed on the surface like Striped Bass or Snook. But that doesn’t mean they won’t explode on the right topwater bait when the opportunity feels right.
Understanding when Red go Topwater
Timing is everything. The best topwater conditions are early morning, late evening, or any time low light and calm water combine. On these days, Redfish lose their fear of predators above and turn their attention to baitfish cruising the surface.
Avoid bright, wind-whipped conditions or cold fronts. When the sun is high and the wind is howling, Redfish tend to hunker down in deeper water or grass beds. But give them calm, low-light conditions or an incoming tide pushing bait across the flats, and they’ll rise to crush a well-placed lure.
Ideal conditions include:
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Low light: Dawn, dusk, fog, or overcast skies.
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Calm water: Allows accurate casts and natural lure movement.
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Tidal flow: Rising or falling tides pushing bait over grass or oyster bars.
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Warm water: Reds are more aggressive when temps are stable above 70°F.
Topwater Lures that get Bit
There’s no shortage of proven Redfish topwater baits, Skitter Pops, Heddon Spooks, Yo-Zuri Pencils, and others. But when you want a bait that moves water, makes noise, and holds its ground in the strike zone, the Nomad Design Chug Norris stands above the rest.
Originally designed for offshore predators, the Chug Norris has been refined for inshore gamefish like Redfish. Its square-cupped face throws a distinct splash and sound pattern that’s louder and more deliberate than round-faced poppers. The result? A chugging lure that can stay in the strike zone longer, call fish from distance, and survive savage hits without skipping or rolling.
If Reds aren’t responding to chugging baits, switch to a Spook-style “walk-the-dog” lure or a pencil popper for a tighter, more subtle action. But when they’re fired up, nothing beats the water-moving power of the Chug Norris.
Where to find Topwater Redfish
Redfish roam the coast from Texas to Delaware, patrolling estuaries, marshes, grass flats, and oyster beds. They love ambush points anywhere bait is funneled past by tidal flow.
Key areas to target:
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Channel intersections and points.
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Grass lines and shallow drop-offs.
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Oyster bars and shell banks.
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Flooded flats on high tide.
When approaching a spot, think like a Redfish. They sit on the down-current side of structure, facing into the tide, waiting to ambush prey. Always cast past the strike zone dropping a lure directly on a fish will spook it instantly. Let the lure sit quietly for a few seconds before starting your retrieve.
Gear Up Right
You don’t need heavy offshore gear for Redfish topwater action just the right balance of accuracy, control, and stopping power.
Rods: A 7’–7’2” medium or medium-heavy rod with a forgiving tip, such as the Nomad Design Inshore 7’2” 10–20lb, is perfect. The softer tip helps you work poppers and walk-the-dog baits without pulling them out of the water.
Reels: A quality 4000–5000-size spinning reel (like the Shimano Saragossa) or a 150-size baitcaster with smooth drag and strong gearing.
Line: 20–30lb braid for sensitivity and zero stretch, connected to a 20–50lb mono leader with an Alberto knot. Always tie a loop knot to your lure for maximum action, no snaps or clips.
Presentation & Technique
Once you’ve located fish and found ideal conditions, presentation is everything. The beauty of a topwater lure like the Chug Norris lies in its ability to stay in the strike zone longer while producing a loud, enticing pop.
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Cast far past your target area. A quiet entry is key.
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Let the lure sit until the ripples fade patience often triggers curiosity.
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Pop with short, controlled twitches. Feed a bit of slack after each pop so the lure stays in place and throws a splash instead of darting forward.
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Adjust your cadence. Calm mornings call for slow, subtle pops; rougher water or aggressive fish demand louder, faster chugs.
If you don’t get a hit, vary your retrieve. Try walking the bait or switching to a different topwater profile. Redfish can be picky one moment and reckless the next.
Topwater fishing for Redfish is equal parts strategy, precision, and chaos and that’s exactly why we love it. With the Nomad Design Chug Norris, you’ve got a lure built from offshore toughness and inshore finesse, ready to handle those bulldog Reds when they rise to strike.
So next time conditions are calm and the light is low, grab your topwater setup, tie on a Chug Norris, and get ready for that unforgettable explosion on the surface.
The beauty of the Chug Norris is the shape of it’s cupped mouth. Most chugger are round. Chugs are square and have subtle corners inside the mouth.
