Topwater Popper Fishing on Cheney Reservoir
Cheney Reservoir · Kansas · Midwest
Cheney Reservoir spans over 9,500 acres in southwestern Kansas, making it one of the state's premier bass fishing destinations. The lake features numerous creek channels, submerged timber, and rocky points that create ideal habitats for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Known for producing quality fish throughout the year, Cheney offers excellent sight-fishing opportunities in clear water and reliable topwater action during prime feeding periods.
A floating hard bait with a concave face that produces a spitting, popping action when twitched. Most effective in low-light conditions near cover — points, dock edges, weed lines, and grass pockets. The pause after the pop is where most strikes happen. Few experiences in fishing match watching a largemouth explode on a popper.
Topwater Popper Setup for Cheney Reservoir
| Rod | 6'10"–7'3" medium casting rod, moderate action |
| Reel | 6.4:1 baitcaster or spinning |
| Line | 14–17 lb fluorocarbon or 30 lb braid (braid gives better action and hooksets) |
| Weight | 1/4–1/2 oz (Rebel Pop-R, Megabass Pop-X, Strike King KVD Splash) |
Seasonal Tactics on Cheney Reservoir
Lake: Spring brings aggressive bass as they move into shallow spawning zones around creek channels and timber. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and topwater plugs are highly effective as water temperatures warm from 55-70°F.
Topwater Popper: First light on spawning flats — fish hold shallow and crush surface baits. Slow cadence with long pauses.
Lake: Summer bass retreat to deeper structure, channel ledges, and around submerged timber. Early morning and evening topwater sessions produce best, while daytime fishing focuses on deep-diving crankbaits and soft plastics around main lake points.
Topwater Popper: 30-minute window at dawn and dusk. Fish dock shade and grass pockets. Noon topwater dies.
Lake: Fall cooling water triggers excellent bite periods as bass move to mid-depth areas and prepare for winter. Creek channels and transition zones produce consistent catches on shad-pattern baits and crankbaits as baitfish congregate.
Topwater Popper: Extended feeding window as water cools. Fish can be caught on top all day in fall.
Lake: Winter bass move to the deepest holes and stay relatively inactive, but patient anglers can find fish around deep structure using slow presentations like drop-shots and jigging near channel ledges in 25-35 feet of water.
Topwater Popper: Generally ineffective in water below 55°F — bass won't chase topwater in cold conditions.
Best Conditions
Dawn and dusk year-round, overcast days, calm to light-chop surface, spring through fall near cover and grass edges
Don't set the hook on the explosion — wait until you feel the fish pull the line. Half of all missed popper strikes are from anglers jerking too early.
More Techniques for Cheney Reservoir
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