What Water Depth Of You Throw Top Water ?

[BG RTR]

I usually use it when shallow but what about if the water is 15 to 25 ft deep. Will bass come up from the depths for it?

[Catch and Grease]

Oh definitely... IMO the best top water for deep bass is spooks but I'm sure everyone has a different opinion.

[RoLo]

It's important to make the distinction between 'water depth' and 'bass depth'.
Although the water depth may be 20 feet, bass may be suspended 5 ft below the surface.

In any case, unless there is surface activity, I rarely fish surface lures in water deeper than 6 feet.

(BTW: A smallmouth bass will rise a lot higher and a lot faster than a largemouth bass)

 

Roger

[K_Mac]

I have had remarkable action at times along steep rock bluffs over an old river/creek channel. Roger is right as usual that depth of the fish is more important, but bass will come from a long way off to get a nice meal-at a speed that will make your head spin. In crystal clear water you sometimes see a flash before the hit, other times not. Find a big school of nice fish and you can get a smile so big it will make your face hurt!

[Catt]

10'

[Wayne P.]

I have caught largemouth and smallmouth bass with topwater lures over 100'+ depths. They were chasing shad to the surface.

 

Topwater means TOPwater, not the depth.

[jbw252]

I tend to agree with RoLo... it's the depth of the fish not the depth of the water.

[BG RTR]

Do u throw when there isn't any top water activity? For example depth goes from 8 to 20 ft on a ledge. No would u try top water over it is no bites are on it?

[joeyfishes]

We have a lake around here where fish will come out of 50 feet of water and hit a topwater. 

[Catch and Grease]

Do u throw when there isn't any top water activity? For example depth goes from 8 to 20 ft on a ledge. No would u try top water over it is no bites are on it?

Just because you don't see fish striking on top of the water doesn't mean top water won't work! (While it can be a hint to throw a top water ) if the weather looks right and your feeling it then go for it!

[jignfule]

I will try top water dispite the depth of the water. Granted shallow waters may be more productive in general, but I have caught bass in deep waters with no sign of surface activity many times.

[FishTank]

Some of the best hits I have gotten have been in open water (depth is not important) with a buzz bait.  This may not be the best bait for this but it sure is fun.

[Bluebasser86]

A big wake bait will draw fish from an incredible distance. I've seen them come off the bottom in 20+' of water to hit a topwater. 

[frogflogger]

Spooks and frogs have caught good fish for me in 20'+ depths - I pay no attention to depth when throwing topwaters - you just don't know until you throw.

[Dwight Hottle]

It's important to make the distinction between 'water depth' and 'bass depth'.

Although the water depth may be 20 feet, bass may be suspended 5 ft below the surface.

In any case, unless there is surface activity, I rarely fish surface lures in water deeper than 6 feet.

(BTW: A smallmouth bass will rise a lot higher and a lot faster than a largemouth bass)

 

Roger

 

 

As usual Roger is right. Smallies will come up a long way to hit a surface plug or subsurface bait when the water clarity is good. Smallies are sight predators if they can see & it gets their attention they will chase a long ways.

[EmersonFish]

I suppose one's level of confidence topwater fishing in deep water when there is no sign of surface activity might relate somewhat to where they fish. 20' - 25' of water in a deep, clear, highland reservoir is different than those same depths in a dingy, clay banked lake in the flatlands. 

 

Of course, if you use your electronics (better than I do) you don't need obvious signs of surface activity to locate fish suspending in deeper water; it's just that most people (like myself) won't have the confidence in that pattern to go out looking for them unless they have some experience with the habits of the fish in that particular area, or are aware of some significant deep structure that would lend itself to said pattern.