Topwater Not Working?

[MaineBassFishin]

I'm fishing a retention pond in SWFL, I've tried spooks and poppers at all times of day with zero luck. Does topwater just not work at some ponds?

[FlipnLimits]

No, it's just a timing thing.  Under the right conditions it will work for you.  You are just post spawn right now?  Give it a week and work the topwater slowly at first.  No such thing as a body of water where topwater will not fool bass.

 

FL

[MaineBassFishin]

No, it's just a timing thing. Under the right conditions it will work for you. You are just post spawn right now? Give it a week and work the topwater slowly at first. No such thing as a body of water where topwater will not fool bass.

FL

Few still on beds here an there.

I've seen fry anywhere from 1/2" to 2 1/2", so there's a wide range in timing.

[Bassintheweeds]

One thing to remember is that its not Maine where a bare 3/0 can catch fish at times.

 

I just got back from a Florida trip and I didn't have a sniff at any topwater

[Grizzn N Bassin]

if theres some on beds still id dry getting them mad with some soft plastic creature baits.. lizards brush or a shakey head etc.  trying running some cranks deeper 

[FlipnLimits]

Few still on beds here an there.

I've seen fry anywhere from 1/2" to 2 1/2", so there's a wide range in timing.

Of course you can bed fish but if talking strictly topwater baits, I use small soft bodied frogs around bedding fish and especially when fry are present.  Also try walking frogs over beds.  Hold your rod tip high and reel as slow as you can but keep the legs thumping.  Small soft bodied frogs can be walked and stopped near fry.  You will see the fry scatter and a bass will come blast your offering.  I love this pattern, very fun!

[ClackerBuzz]

good advice. also don't try to feed a bass something he's not hungry for just b/c ur interested in throwing it. who doesn't like topwater!? it's exciting as heck.  but it's also boring as heck if the bass aren't interested

[Felix77]

Already mentioned ... it's all about timing ... I fish a pond that the only time to get them to bite on topwater is when the shadows start forming on the pond in the PM.  Any other time (even the AM) doesn't seem to work.  Try experimenting with different times of day if possible.

[dday07]

i don't know Florida too well...but is it still too early in the year for them even there? try for like a half hour if no action give plastics a go

[0119]

Where are you here in s.w. fl.?  I use top waters everyday.  Most of the water is shallow enough that topwater is viable throughout the year and anytime of day.  Retention ponds here are either box cut or bowl shaped.  Throw to or parallel to the shore. Rarely will you find bass oriented in the featureless middle.  Target any cover even a lowly single branch or a surveyors pipe/stick.  Culvert pipes that bring the water into the pond are target number one for me. Many waters/ponds here can be fished only with topwaters as the filamentous algae is so thick to make working even a weedless bait sub surface enough to drive you mad.  Put on a 20# leader as your just as likely to get a baby tarpon as you are a bass. 

[bflp3]

I've found light is the key to the topwater bite. I seem to only get top water bites in low light situations. Dawn/Dusk or cloudy days. I've even had days with scattered clouds where with the Sun out, the bite would die. Then, as soon as a cloud would pass in front of it, I'd start getting hits again while it was blocked out. I can really only remember a few times where topwater was on and the sun was out.

[ripinit]

I'm fishing a retention pond in SWFL, I've tried spooks and poppers at all times of day with zero luck. Does topwater just not work at some ponds?

 

It will work, but I really don't start till end of April, and remember to vary your retrieve, and don't forget dead-sticking.  Start small, I grew up fishing a popping bug on a fly rod for bream, and it wacks 12 inch bass(and sometimes nice one's) anywhere..Then, increase your bait size as you find success. Believe me, when the top water bite is on, and there's not a place it doesn't, its awesome...

[AK-Jax86]

It's all about timings when fishing topwater especially here in FL, that's what I have learned. Certain spots will become active at different times when fishing top water. The key is just to switch it up, as far as lures and technique goes, and look for indicators that they are hitting top water (water temp, air temp, activity in the water, etc)

[0119]

He's talking s.w. fl. folks!  We havent even had a winter here this year.  Its freakin' 85 degrees out with 90+% humidity.  I get bass on topwater everyday of the year even at high noon.  Heck most of the water isnt even 4ft. deep especially a retention pond like he's asking about.