Would you try topwater ? Or waste of time

[Ksam1234]

So I went out today and noticed some fishing splashing up on the surface. Same some minnows jumping out and around and wondered if topwater was finally an option. Not sure if water temp but I know Lake Erie is 53 degrees and the small lake I’m fishing inland is like 60 acres so it warms up a lot faster. Wondering if I should try topwater tomorrow morning or just sleep in a little and not worry.. water temps have to be at least 55 I would say. Was thinking of maybe a buzzbait or popper  style 

[papajoe222]

It may not be the best option, but I've had some awesome results with a popper with water temps in the low 60's. This time of year, I don't throw them early in the day like in the summer and sunny days seem to produce better. 

[CrankFate]

If you can cause one blow up or one chase on topwater, you can usually catch a few, eventually. 

[tbone1993]

Ive got some big bass this time of the year on bluegill wake baits. 

[scaleface]

  I tried both buzzbaits and frogs the other day and didnt catch any but  I had to try . They were wolfing down  spinnerbaits near the surface .

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Fluke, fished super slow.

 

I'm that guy throwing topwater in winter

[the reel ess]

I always try topwaters. I have a rod (or two) with one tied on all the time. If you have a popper on the rod in your hand when you see a topwater explosion like that, you can definitely catch a fish or two at the time. Make as much noise as you can with it. If not, throw whatever shallow reaction bait you have.

[Bluebasser86]

If the fish are chasing on the surface, I'll throw topwater at them. At the Ozark lakes it's not uncommon to catch fish on topwater in water below 50 degrees and they're usually good quality when I've done it.

[CroakHunter]

We killed it 2 weeks ago throwing a weightless zoom horny toad. Watter temps around 62

[WRB]

Surface action try a top water, seeing smaller bait fish clear the water means a predator chased them and it's the only option jump or be eaten.

Small bait use a smaller top water like a Splash-It, water temps don't mater if you see surface action.

Tom

[Ksam1234]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Surface action try a top water, seeing smaller bait fish clear the water means a predator chased them and it's the only option jump or be eaten.

Small bait use a smaller top water like a Splash-It, water temps don't mater if you see surface action.

Tom

Yeah I went out again today and I just see little fish jumping straight out of the water all over the place. Didn’t get anything on topwater but csught a bunch of largies

[scaleface]

22 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

Yeah I went out again today and I just see little fish jumping straight out of the water all over the place. Didn’t get anything on topwater but csught a bunch of largies

I saw small fry jumping out of the water too last week but couldnt catch them on topwater . I finally figured out Bluegill were chasing them .

[BoatSquirrel]

Ksam—Go fish tomorrow.

Topwater is almost always my first offering.  When I see bass chasing minnows and the water temp is 60ish, a small jerkbait is number two.  

Good luck dude!

[keagbassr]

I think topwater is always worth a shot although the earlier in the season[based on iceout not the calendar] the later in the day it's more likely to produce strikes.

[NYWayfarer]

I tried a tiny Pop-R today. Saw a fish or two follow it but they wouldn’t commit. 

 

They had no problems inhaling a worm though. 

[5by3]

Yes, they’re eating top water. Since you said Lake Erie I’m assuming we’re from the same state... ?

[Ksam1234]

1 hour ago, 5by3 said:

Yes, they’re eating top water. Since you said Lake Erie I’m assuming we’re from the same state... ?

New York ?

[Koz]

1 hour ago, Ksam1234 said:

New York ?

Pennsylvania?

[5by3]

Guess not. Ohio!

[Ksam1234]

7 hours ago, Koz said:

Pennsylvania?

Nice im

about 20 minutes from the PA line.  Like 40 to Erie 

[Boomstick]

I was just fishing a new lake for the second time yesterday. A couple weeks ago was my first time there and while only there for a hour just to see what the shore access was like, my oldest son got a topwater bite but the fish just missed his lure. I would say the water temp is no more than the lower 50s as of yesterday, and would have been colder then.

 

Now today is 82 degrees which should warm that water up to the upper 50s fairly quickly, making topwater a viable option in the middle of the day as it's not too hot where bass are going deep or taking cover.

[N Florida Mike]

I know one thing- if you don’t go you won’t catch anything. 

You wont know if they’ll bite top water baits if you don’t try...

[MN Fisher]

Last Wednesday I was out in the canoe. Didn't catch anything but dinks, but two of then were on a WP-90. Topwaters work, now I just have to find where the bigger ones hide.