Morning Techniques

[Vinny Chase]

I was wondering what your backup plan is when topwater fishing is slow in the morning.

Thanks,

VC

[BrianinMD]

Not a simple answer, a lot depends on the conditions. Both weather and the condintion of the water.

[burce]

Id probably fish it the same as any other time if the top water stuff didn't work, but I'm interested to see wht other people do

[bassin is addicting]

from the bank...

if no buzzbait/jitterbug/popper bite i switch to 'ol faithful

weightless or 1/8 oz bullet...curly tail worm....zoom/powerworm/culprit

parallel to bank.  hop it or swim it slow then vary speed on bottom or swim it through water column.

usually works for me. 

[Catt]

I start the morning deep & stay deep 

[hitchhiker]

Jerkbait, adjusting the depth and cadence til something clicks.  Either a Spro McStick or a weightless fluke.

[Shad_Master]

If they ain't on top, I switch to a shallow crank bait, then a spinner bait or chatter bait, etc.  I keep working my way down the water column until I connect with fish.  As the day goes on, I will keep working deeper, especially in the hot months.

[LA4024]

Spinnerbait and shallow crank.  Maybe a fluke if the water is clear.

[Shad_Master]

One other thing on this topic - if the fish are not hitting on top in the early morning, I'm going to start to think that they may not be active and will not be in a "chase mode" even below the surface - I will go ahead and check this out, but it is sort of the starting point of putting together a pattern for the remainder of the day.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Down here we deal with a lot of thick grass, so stuff like cranks and all usually aren't the best option.  If the frog bite is slow, a lot of times I'll put on something like a grass jig and slowly swim it back through the grass.  If that isn't working, drop it to the bottom and fish it like a standard jig.  Hard to beat tossing a t-rigged worm also.

[roadwarrior]

I have been fooling a few monsters on Mattlures Baby bass,

especially early. A couple of weeks ago on the first cast! That

was an eye-opener.

;D ;D

[BrianSnat]

Mornings I nearly always start with a floating Rapala. Rarely fails. When it does I go to plastics, a T rig Senko or Yum, or a swim Senko.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

If they ain't on top, I switch to a shallow crank bait, then a spinner bait or chatter bait, etc. I keep working my way down the water column until I connect with fish. As the day goes on, I will keep working deeper, especially in the hot months.

x2 or start moving to shadier areas and heavier cover if available.

[Boogey Man]

I'll usually switch to faster search lures like crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Then I'll go to a worm or jig. If all else fails I'll break out a shakey head or split shot rig. It really depends on the conditions though.

[cBooms@SML]

if no top water, i would probably go to a fluke or jerkbait.

[Jigfishn10]

If my dog isn't catching or producing boils on the surface, I'll use a spiinerbait just under the surface. If that fails, I'll slow roll the spinnerbait along the bottom. If that fails the jig gets the nod.

[Revo_Carrot Stix]

VC

I know I shouldn't have a "routine" but the first thing I throw in the mornings is a black buzzbait. What a great way to start off the day!?! In the past, if there were no takers, I'd try prop baits (LC Kelly J), poppers (Spit N Image) or Spooks which resulted in a few more strikes here and there, but nothing worth calling an effective alternative.

This year (if there are no buzzbait takers), I've been successfully using a SK Rage Shad 4/0 Gama EWG with great results. I'll work the same spots as I did with the buzzbait and I'm  consistently getting bites-whereas in the past, I'd move on with soft plastics or crankbaits to a different location. The SK Rage Shad can be worked slower and has a softer gurgle, plus it's rigged weedless which can get closer to the cover.

That's my two cents...good luck.

[bigbill]

It depends on where your fishing.  I have one favorite spot that has it all in one spot.  I have a very low bridge that i can fish from that has a channel thats about 10' deep,  two weedlines to the right and to the left plus two rocky points on both sides of the bridge.  Then further to the right and left i have thick weeds just below the surface.  Now straight out i have lilly pads on the right and left too about  50yds away.  Like i said i have all the conditions in one spot.  I approach it in the dark and start off with a BPS topnocker color #25 along side the right weedline edge.  If nothing happens i go with the rebel BIG claw crawfish crank next.  It dives 10' so i'm bouncing it on the bottom along the right side weedline again.  Then i go to a bomber FAT A 05 1'ft redapple craw in the middle of the weeds on the right side.  I only work one side at a time since i disturbed it i keep trying that one side.  I also try to throw the rebel big claw in the open areas were i can crank it too if the pockets are big enough.  I also use a 1/8oz hank parker classic spinnerbait up the rocky points.  Off the bridge i can also work a rapala split minnow in blue/yellow straight down off the bridge i found a honey hole if you hit it exactly right there's a bass there everytime.  I also work the area over with a senko on a 1/8oz carolina rig too.  Over the whole area i also use a mister twister top prop in tri alive firetiger.  This is an awesome weedless lure.  Then i get into inline spinners like a mepps, joesfly's, strikeking or panther martin.

I take my time and work over the whole place before moving to my next spot. I start at dark and it beomes dusk,first light i just stay fishing thru my assortment of baits and colors.    BB