AM clear water fishing..topwater or crankin?

[WhiteMike1018]

Its summer now and most of the lakes around here 75-80.

In lakes with good water clarity (2-4 feet) would you prefer to throw topwater or deep crank? (10-16).

There is some timber and submergent vegetation abundant, most of the timber being in 5-10 feet of water with a dropoff on the side, with also a lot of stumps in 10-15 feet of water.

I know that both of these baits will get torn up under the right conditions, but just wanted to see what most people would prefer. 

When i talk early in the morning, im talking around 6-6:30am, about 45 minutes to an hour after sunrise.

[the reel ess]

With very clear water I'd try a Spook or a quieter topwater early in the day. But I always try a topwater.

[J Francho]

My usual plan is to start on top, and work my way down, while working shallow water to deeper water.  So....topwater, to crank, to senko or wacky jig, to jig or t-rig.  I'll usually end up just throwing a jig as the day progresses.  If it's a tough day, I'll "junk fish," meaning I'll rotate baits every few casts.  Sometimes that's what it takes.

[WRB]

It depends on what the bass are doing, if I see or think there is a top water bite I will give a try because it's fun. On the other hand why leave fish without trying jigs, worms, swimbaits, crankbaits or whatever.

My goal is catching bass and rarely fish blind hoping to catch something, usually know there are bass in the area.

Tom

[WhiteMike1018]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

It depends on what the bass are doing, if I see or think there is a top water bite I will give a try because it's fun. On the other hand why leave fish without trying jigs, worms, swimbaits, crankbaits or whatever.

My goal is catching bass and rarely fish blind hoping to catch something, usually know there are bass in the area.

Tom

i know theres bass in these areas, its about finding the method of covering the most water possible and matching the technique the the activity level of the fish in the shortest ammount of time (1 day tournament fishing) while the fish are on their morning feeding binge 

and to me thats crankin or topwater for the lake im fishing, but sometimes im curious

For exmaple when KVD won on toledo bend, he went straight to cranking in the morning and dismissed the whole idea of topwater, im sure there are a lot of factors to consider on this decesion making but i try to keep an open mind and learn the reasoning behind this decesion making

[Bass_Reapa]

LOVE catching morning fish up top on the water. There's just that adrenaline rush when you see the swirl hit the top. If they're active, chances are they'd hit both. If I have a hard time up top, I'll throw worm to change up the speed. Just a thought. 75% of my fishing day is spent with a crank though just buzzing thru the water columns. With that being said though, early am and late dusk is all top water for me.

[GORDO]

Personally i would throw top water early, if you're not getting bit I would switch quick. 

[WRB]

Fishing over the top of bass or under them doesn't work unless those fish are active and willing to chase lures. Running lures in front or a little over head doesn't require bass to move up toward the surface or down into deeper water. That is reason knowing where the are located includes knowing what depth. When I say knowing the bass are where you are fishing means within a casting distance not 200 yards away. Searching for bass with lures is less affective than searching for bass with sonar or using your eyes to see where bass are located, like specific types of cover and/or structure.

Tournament requires doing your homework so you have confidence in a area to start. Nearly everyone starts shallow and works deeper to catch numbers of bass. You win tournaments by catching the heaviest 5 bass weight, 20 2 lbers in a 5 bass limit still weighs 10 lbs. For me early morning is the time to catch big bass and target numbers later, the opposite of most bass anglers.

Tom

[Neil McCauley]

2-4 ft is good water clarity? Try 35.

Both of the lakes I fish regularly are ultra clear and deep, I don't really even bother with top water except when flyfishing for panfish.
 

[iceintheveins]

I always start with topwater when the water is over 60 and it's dawn. If they aren't hitting on top in short order though, I will throw either shallow cranks or spinnerbaits. If that doesn't work, I go with jigs, plastics, and other more subtle stuff.

[Spankey]

I'm a river rat so clear is just a relative type thing. But if I know or assume the fish are there on a point I start out with some top waters. I won't beat the heck out of the water either. I'll give it an honest amount of time give them a couple of looks than go right to a Rattle Trap. Could be anything I throw after that.