Any Tips For Pre-Dawn Topwater Fishing?

[Tugmaster]

So I'm heading out to the local lake tomorrow well before sunup. I am planning to try my hand at some topwater action. I have a couple of Rebel poppers and a Zara Puppy. I've never done a lot of top water fishing especially in the early morning. Any tips on technique or anything else would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Todd

[Catch and Grease]

Don't try one retrieve then give up, try multiple retrieves at different speeds until you find what works best...

[BigmouthForever23]

I love fishing topwater. A Zara Spook is my favorite topwater lure. The bite will be best in the morning before the sunrise. If you have overcast, you can catch them on topwater on day long. You want to be as observant as possible when fishing topwater. Try and find areas where the bass are breaking the surface. Look for nearby baitfish. Hope that the is little or no wind.

 

As far as the Zara Puppy goes, I like going with the Spook as I find it easier to walk-the-dog. But the smaller Puppy will work as well. It's best to start out with a steady retrieve and find out what the bass want. Vary the speed, pause occasionally, etc. Make sure you wait a few seconds after you cast until the ripples subside. I actually caught a bass last night on the Spook although it was an odd catch. Right after I made my cast, I looked away from my Spook and the bass hit it before I even twitched it once. Also, make sure you wait until you feel the fish to set the hook.

 

Good luck!

[F14A-B]

Quiet water entry, then just wait... Give that bait a whole 1 minute allowing the rings of water displacement to reverberate the area... I love throwing handmade cedar dual prop topwaters... I have had and caught some amazing fish/ strikes 30 min before sunrise... Just before daylight is my sweet time for topwater! Good luck! Have fun!

[gardnerjigman]

I'm not saying that waiting on the ripples to clear doesn't work, I'm just saying you won't catch me spending the time to clear. I start retrieving almost instantly and never have problems getting strikes. The only time I ever let it sit, is if I see and am targeting a single fish.

[Kevin22]

If its pitch black out still, you'll need a dark colored topwater with a rattle of some sort. As soon as it starts to get light you can use whatever topwater you normally would. 

 

When its still dark out I use two lures. 1. a black hollow body frog. This has no rattles so its not quite as effective.. but I can throw it anywhere and not have to worry about hitting a tree, dock, or boat. 

2. Black buzzbait. This one is also pretty forgiving when hitting the accidental tree or dock, and has a ton of noise to draw them up. 

 

But, when its open water I will go ahead and use a dark gray popper. 

 

I don't normally get more than 1 or 2 bites before it starts to get light. 

[Sam]

Some tips:

1.  Wait for enough light to safely leave the ramp and travel to your first location.

2.  Throw topwaters.

3.  Have three crankbait rods rigged with 1) buzzbait, 2) popper and 3) walking bait.

4.  If pads, throw frogs and toads into the pads plus weightless Senko or trick worm in pink or white on and over the pads.

5.  You will have to find the early morning pattern. I have been successful with Carolina rigs, crankbaits, shaky heads, jigs, Texas rigs skipped under docks, piers & boat houses, and punching plastics through the grass. Keep all details fresh in your mind when you catch the first one or they miss your bait.

6.  Have one spinning rod rigged with a Senko to throw to any location where the bass missed your topwater. The bass will think it injured your bait and when they see a slow falling Senko they will hit it. Go with a wacky rig with your Senkos.

7.  As usual, bring your needle nose pliers and you favorite scent.

8.  Have something to eat and drink for breakfast between casts.

9.  Sun will warm the northern and western banks first. Hit the western and northern banks, piers, docks, etc. where the sun hits the water. Avoid shaded areas unless you know they hold fish. Go into all coves that get early morning sunlight.

10. Are you fishing any tidal waters? If so, know the tides and the times they are moving.

 

Have fun and let us know how you do.

[BigBassLoveSenkos]

While its still dark, try throwing a black Jitterbug.  I've had great results from doing that in that situation.  It will work best tied to mono.  Try casting around the obvious structure such as docks or the shoreline  and let it sit for a second before you start your retrieve.  You can vary your retrieve speed from slow to medium, and I'd absolutely freeze it once or twice per retrieve.  If you can position yourself so that you can run the lure parallel to the shore 5-15' from the bank, go for it.  I've even caught fish over open water with this lure and method.  

[Deleted account]

I find the night bite is different than the morning bite. At night, I want a lure that has built in action like a jitterbug, crazy crawler, buzzbait or spinnerbait. In the early AM, If its quiet I'll go with a popper, maybe a small buzzbait. If its a little windy, or there is clear activity, I'll size up and work lures more aggressively. I don't usually fish a spook or sammy really early and late, I'm sure they'll work, but if I can get them to eat without wearing my wrist out, why not.