A top is simply a submerged brush top, the top of a bush or tree or a fallen tree with lots of submerged limbs. Tops sometimes lay where they fall, and other times current washes them onto sandbars or into river lakes. Tops hold baitfish — and that’s where you’ll find the feeding fish. Tops also give fish like crappie a good place to hide from their predators.
“Tops” tips
Never underestimate a top. Fish all the way around it, and up in the middle of the thickest part. If you think fish should be there and you don’t get a bite, come back later and try again. Sometimes there may be two dozen fish in a top and they just don’t bite at certain times — but they’ll get hungry later.