My default when largemouth bass fishing is to always start with a natural color. In this case, a light/pea green spotted pattern with a green or white underside would be a good choice. If you are fishing early or late in the day, you might consider black as well.

Definately a good point. Any topwater you are retrieving moderately fast or fast you can certainly benefit from a lighter action rod. Great point.

When using the stiff rods, I like a fast action tip, you get a decent amount of snap action on a bait with a minimal amount of movement.

Josh made a great point too about using buzzbaits for bass on beds. They are a great exploratory/prospecting bait starting about this time of year (depending on where you are.... but its either here or coming in the next few weeks).

I mostly fish smallmouths up here when bass fishing and a flyrod works great as well with a few poppers. Also a hair tied mouse or frog will work wonders when fishing around a few lilly pads. Just let them skipp along the outside edges of the lilly pads and enjoy the action..