Floating Swimbaits In The Middle Of The Day?

[cjam93]

Hey guys so I have been watching a lot of swimbait videos recently to learn about them. Anyways I have noticed a lot of videos have people waking a swimbait on topwater in the middle of the day. It is even bright sunny days a lot of the time. Traditionally I have always heard topwater is good if its overcast, or during the morning and late afternoon/evening. Anyways my question is does this still apply to swimbaits or will you fish them throughout the day on topwater regardless of the conditions?

[Raul]

The best time for topwater is 24 hours round, one of my favorite conditions to fish topwaters is mid day, clear bluebird skies, no wind, scorching heat and blazing sun. What applies to topwater cranks also applies to floating swimbaits.

[gulfcaptain]

I agree with Raul, topwater is a 24hr deal.  Some decide to fish it at certain times but from my observations fishing bigger swimbaits, everyone of my fish I have caught on a bigger swimbait (8" or bigger) came between the hours of 10-3. Biggest was during the mid morning on a bright sunny day.  But have caught many a bass during the day on topwaters and wakebaits.

[CTGalloway21]

I have my worst luck with swimbaits when it gets bluebird skies and sunny.  My best days are overcast.  

[WRB]

Take a look at the BBZ-1 Rat video link on this forum 25 July.

Tom

[cjam93]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I have just always thought it was something you could only throw at certain times. That leads me to a second question then. What is the main difference between a slow sinker fished on top waking it, compared to a floater? Seems like if you tied on a slow sinker it would be more versatile because it can do top or under, but a floater would only be on top water. I am very new to swimbaits though so I feel like there must be something I am missing that sets the two apart. thanks again!

[Raul]

It's different a animals, a sinker will do that, the second you stop retrieving the bait it will sink, a floater will always be on top. My first 10+ lber hit a Rapala Floating Minnow while on top, the only action the bait received from me was an ocassional twitch of the rod tip.

[cjam93]

Gotchya, I wasnt thinking about fishing a floater by twitching it and all, that makes sense. Looks like I will have to be picking up another swimbait soon then! haha thanks again

[Bluebasser86]

Big fish don't follow the rules. That and being smarter than the other fish is part of how they get big. My biggest slammer fish to date plowed a 7 incher around lunch time on a hot, nearly flat calm day last summer.

[cjam93]

Big fish don't follow the rules. That and being smarter than the other fish is part of how they get big. My biggest slammer fish to date plowed a 7 incher around lunch time on a hot, nearly flat calm day last summer.

Nice fish! When you are throwing topwater in the middle of the day, what type of areas do you like to target? For example do you still target the deeper areas around points expecting the fish to come up and get it even if they are pretty far down?

[Bluebasser86]

Nice fish! When you are throwing topwater in the middle of the day, what type of areas do you like to target? For example do you still target the deeper areas around points expecting the fish to come up and get it even if they are pretty far down?

Any ambush areas. That fish came out of a clump of grass with a stump that had the trunk of the tree still laid across the top. I watched her stalk the bait for a few feet before she T boned it. As long as there is some shade, even big fish will stay shallow on bright days when they're active and that's where they need to be to eat. Running them over the top of deep ledges is a great place too, even if there's no shade. A big fish will move a long ways for what they perceive as a big, easy meal. Running them along the shady side of docks is a great way to catch fish too.

[gobig]

 Running them over the top of deep ledges is a great place too, even if there's no shade.

 

 

 Just because you don't physically see the shade on the surface does not mean there is not shade. Things like docks create obvious shadows that are easily seen. Rocks and ledges create shade under the surface. Pay close attention to the suns position and the cover and structure that's down below. You will start to see why some spots are afternoon spots and some are morning etc... You can get really dialed in on how fish position. This is where you start to learn how critical timing and angles become.

[frogflogger]

60+ yrs of chasing bass and the dr. pepper hours 10 - 2 have been the most productive for big bass for me - many of them on topwaters.

[gulfcaptain]

Nice fish! When you are throwing topwater in the middle of the day, what type of areas do you like to target? For example do you still target the deeper areas around points expecting the fish to come up and get it even if they are pretty far down?

If you're really into learning more about the bigger swimbaits, honestly I would get a copy of Southern Trout Eaters DVD and watch it.  Gives lots of tips and answers quite a few questions about the bigger swimbaits. And Tackle Warehouse has the DVD's.  Good advice on Hudds, MC Slammers, Triple Trout, different rat style baits, and also the Bull Shads.

[cjam93]

If you're really into learning more about the bigger swimbaits, honestly I would get a copy of Southern Trout Eaters DVD and watch it.  Gives lots of tips and answers quite a few questions about the bigger swimbaits. And Tackle Warehouse has the DVD's.  Good advice on Hudds, MC Slammers, Triple Trout, different rat style baits, and also the Bull Shads.

Thanks for the advice! I will have to look into getting that!