Question regarding stripers on top

Last night (Nov. 30) I went out just before dusk on Watts Bar to catch some striper on topwater. Just before dark and through "dusk" I was catching fish "V-waking" a chrome and blue Redfin. I got lots of swirls and blow-ups, too, but as soon as it got completely dark I couldn't catch a cold. Even more frustrating was about an hour after it got completely dark there were fish blowing up within casting distance of the boat EVERY MINUTE (seriously) and I threw every topwater lure ever invented and got maybe two blow-ups. So then I tried throwing slivers and all kinds of crankbaits and jerkbaits and didn't catch a thing. Any suggestions from you diehard striper guys?

Topwater stripers can be fickle. Try taking some chicken livers next time that happens and toss one out with a bobber at a 2-3 fott depth.

If you're getting blow ups, but no hook ups, try speeding up your retrieve. Usually works.

I have a lure that is perfect for that situation. It is called a Gizz-4. It looks and acts exactly like a shad. Everytime I've ever thrown it in a blow up like that, I haven't been able to get it back to the boat without a fish on.

Switch to a white redfin with a red head. If you can find the older ones with the rattles inside they're the best. If not, take a small drill and several pieces of #5 shotgun shot add through the top of the bait. Reseal the bait with epoxy. Finally add a small amount of bucktail to the rear hook....it gives it a wider wobble.

Good luck and hang on.

Rich