Always wade upstream, fish look into the current and food generally comes downstream. You increase the misses by moving the lure in an unnatural direction. Change your hooks to ultra sharp gammie g-finesse often. Hooks dull. You don't have to set the hook when using braid on topwater fish, just keep pressure on. Fish do the rest. You don't miss nearly as many topwater fish with new hooks. Get some quick dry pants to protect your legs when wet wading. Get some forceps to quickly remove hooks and not tear mouths. In Indiana, the typical wade is 3-5 miles. That's how you encounter more big fish away from public places. Keep at it. Great hobby.
Last time i fished the Milwaukee i got one decent smallie and got skunked the rest of the day until i switched to an EPF swim Bait for panfish and started slaying rock bass 😂 that's some nice action for the day.