Favorite Topwater Bait For Early Spring

[Lip 'em!]

When water temperatures hit the low to mid 50's early in the spring, what is your most productive topwater lure? I'm thinking something slow moving like a popr or spook instead of a buzzbait would have more success. But the decision between a popr and spook is difficult. What do you guys think?

[smallieking]

this may be crazy but I actually catch a few on frogs... I don't fish on top in water that cold but every one and then in the warmest pockets on the lake I can find a fish or two back in thick weeds and if I fish a white frog super slow I can get them to blow up on them... I actually caught a 5 pounder in the very back pocket in 49 degree water last spring in a tournament. while every one was jerkbaiting and throwing a rigs on main river I was running the backs of super warm pockets, caught my limit and won.

[Fish Murderer 71]

Till the water hits 60, my buzz baits and top waters collect rust in the box.

[Sam]

RICO.

[iceintheveins]

I don't fish topwaters till the temps are at 60 or above. A shallow crank, original rapala, or a spinnerbait fished a foot or two under the surface will work though.

[fish365]

v wake a bone colored long-A and hang on

[Bluebasser86]

I break out the buzzbaits once it gets into the low 50's. You want catch many but the bites you get are normally solid fish. 

[river-rat]

Under the right conditions it's tough to beat a buzzbait, but I will also use a Smithwick Rogue, Cordell Redfin, or a Hub's Chub by H.C. Baits.

[David D.]

In the past I have had good luck with poppers on open water, and frogs near vegetation. However since water warmed up around here over the past couple weeks, I have caught more fish on crankbaits that haven't even had a chance to dive than anything else. I have a Strike King Sexy Dawg on the way to try out this weekend on two great bass lakes, hopefully I can come back with good news.

[RoLo]

Normally I don't get real serious about topwaters until the post-spawn stage in late spring.

So in early spring, I'll only target active bass with a solid toad (nonstop retrieve)

which provides much faster coverage than a hollow frog (stop-&-go retrieve).

 

My three favorite toads are the Stanley Bull Ribbit,

Gambler Cane Toad and Strike King Rage Toad

 

Roger

[craww]

I've had a few absolutely amazing days on buzz baits this time of year. Numbers of big fish. If a fish is on a bed a popper is an underrated bait.

[Pz3]

Devila horse

[papajoe222]

#9 Original Floating Rapala. Twitch it, pause crank it, pause and repeat. As the water warms, just work it the same way, but pick up the tempo.

 

OH, the question of PopR vs. Spook, and this is from a Spookaholic.  Go with the PopR when the water is cold.  Spooks rule after the spawn.

[ww2farmer]

this may be crazy but I actually catch a few on frogs... I don't fish on top in water that cold but every one and then in the warmest pockets on the lake I can find a fish or two back in thick weeds and if I fish a white frog super slow I can get them to blow up on them... I actually caught a 5 pounder in the very back pocket in 49 degree water last spring in a tournament. while every one was jerkbaiting and throwing a rigs on main river I was running the backs of super warm pockets, caught my limit and won.

You go ahead and shut up right now LOL.

[frogflogger]

#9 Original Floating Rapala. Twitch it, pause crank it, pause and repeat. As the water warms, just work it the same way, but pick up the tempo.

 

OH, the question of PopR vs. Spook, and this is from a Spookaholic.  Go with the PopR when the water is cold.  Spooks rule after the spawn.

using the original rapala as a twitch bait is what made it famous and it's still a giant killer

[Bassintheweeds]

you wont find a buzzbait or rico in my boat in the spring