Topwaters- does it get too cold?

[ajschn06]

Is there a point when you put topwaters/frogs away for the season?  Or do certain topwaters work better as it cools down?  Water temp is about 55 currently....

[Team9nine]

Yes, to both. Generally speaking, mid to low 50s seems to be about the cutoff for reliable productivity from top waters. For late in the year (cooler water), it seems like there is a good frog window as dying vegetation starts becoming patchy, as well as a good stickbait bite (Spooks, etc). Sometimes buzzers can surprise you in really cool water, too.

[FryDog62]

I've typically held the rule of thumb that largemouth stop hitting topwater in mid-50's water temps and smallmouth down a little further to low 50's.  In general, the topwater bite slows as you near those temps. 

 

But then again, you get fooled sometimes. Last year right at 50 degrees, the lake had just turned over and nothing I mean nothing worked. Then a buzz bait around remaining weeds yielded one of the the best days of the year including several 4.5-5.5 lb largemouth. Had a similar experience with smallmouth on Rainy Lake a couple Falls ago when it was late in the season, cold, wet, windy, ugly and absolutely nothing worked... until we started throwing Whopper Ploppers in protected bays out of the wind. 

 

In both scenarios we thought the fish would be lethargic at best, but they hit the buzzer and Ploppers like they were mad as hell... 

 

So, its always worth a try but expect less as the season gets late.  

[roadwarrior]

[Krux5506]

I personally think top water is a method of fishing that can vary so greatly from water to water. On my home port I rule it out by the end of September usually, but that's only because in general, it's not a very productive method even during the good months. I've had many early mornings wasted by being so positive that a frog bite would be the ticket. 

[J Francho]

Yes.

 

[Boomstick]

I will usually put the frogs away when the water drops below 60, the buzzbaits away when it hits 55 but poppers are quite effective when the water is around 50!

[Yakalong]

If the white bass are still chasing the shad, I'll keep on chucking the pop R. Especially if it is cold and nasty out, they seem to be more active. 

[Jig Man]

I had a great top water day one year on Christmas Eve.

[Bird]

I've had bass bust through the ice after a whopper 110......nah.

 

Love cooler water temps as it simplifies my arsenal down to 3 options. Lol

[looking45]

Spotted bass will hit topwater baits year 'round. In one of the FLW events here, guys were catching spots while it was hailing

[Teal]

I put them away once they stop working... typically around low 50s.

Spring of the year tho, ill break them out a little early.  It will surprise you.  I think @ww2farmer ince said that he starts throwing the frog a couple months ahead of others and it pays off.  

[txchaser]

Sunny afternoon and very shallow water extended the frog bite for me last year. But the water here might only spend a month or less touching the high 40's.

[Mr. Aquarium]

I’ve caught topwater bass in February in Massachusetts!  I don’t know the water temp. No more then night 40s.  Caught 2 that trip. Bite sucked during the afternoon. Nothing. Tried out a new swimbait, Matt lures 6 inch strong shad, playing with the bam. First fish of the day. Small 2lber, but I was so shocked. Then I stayed after dark to try for another, got a 2.5er on a 9 inch ms slammer. 
 

I’ve done well  in mid November at night on topwaters. But I mostly fish wake baits!