Written by Rapala
Many top-water plugs produce more heartache than hook-ups. Storm’s new Arashi Top Walker is not one of ‘em.
“It’s the best walk-the-dog bait by far now,” said Brandon Palaniuk, a five-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier. “It’s going to up my odds of putting more fish in the boat.”
Available in both a 4-1/4 and 5-1/8 inch models, the Top Walker strides true even when retrieved fast, having been purpose-built to eliminate the missed opportunities all too common with lesser topwater options.
“When you look at the profile of the Arashi Top Walker from the back, you can see how its sides are just a little bit flatter,” Palaniuk said, explaining how that design element prevents the Top Walker from rolling as it changes direction on the retrieve. “What that’s going to do is allow the lure to continually walk with its hooks underneath the body. That increases your hook-up ratio almost two-to-one.”
A long-glide walk-the-dog action, a powerful wake and a multi-ball cadence rattle sound signature combine to make the Top Walker a seductive little siren sure to call in the biggest bass from the farthest distance. Both models feature four bearings that broadcast a variable pitch frequency, mimicking the sound of schooling baitfish that predators can’t ignore.
“They’re gonna hone right in on it and want to hammer the bait,” Palaniuk says.
Rotated hook hangers, a feature of all baits in the Arashi lineup, ensure that all of the Top Walker’s three sticky-sharp trebles will grab fish and not let go. Lesser topwaters with only two hooks often yield more salty four-letter words than stout five-bass limits, according to Palaniuk.
“The more hooks I’ve got on there, the better,” Palaniuk said.
The 4-1/4 inch Top Walker weighs 3/4 of an ounce and comes equipped with three No. 4 premium VMC Black Nickel Treble Hooks. The 5-1/8 inch model weighs 1-1/8th ounces and comes with three No. 2 VMC hooks. Both models are available in 10 color patterns, most of them slightly translucent: Green Gold Shad, Hot Blue Shad, Pearl Ayu, Bluegill, Blue Back Herring, Wakasagi, Ghost Hitch, Pro Blue, Ghost Pearl Shad and Black Silver Shad.
Ghost Pearl Shad — mostly white with a purplish head — is a new color pattern in the Arashi lineup.
“It’s super cool,” Palaniuk says.
Palaniuk recommends tying Arashi Top Walkers directly to a line that does not sink — either monofilament or braid. If water clarity and conditions indicate he can get away with it, he’ll throw braid. In crystal-clear water, he might need to throw mono. Always avoid fluorocarbon though, because it sinks and will pull down the nose of any topwater bait and hamper its action.
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