How Long To Fish Topwater

[Staff Sergeant--USMC]

I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to fishing topwater; so therfore I got a question. I've heard that you should really only fish topwater baits in the early morning and late evening....is this true or is it just during the extreme heat of the summer. I've seen on here where folks are excited about fishing the post spawn w/ topwater baits....do you fish them all day during this time. I obviously know that if the bass aren't hitting topwater baits that I should switch to another bait (that's pretty much the deal w/ any bait though); I'm just in great need of some know how on fishing with top water lures. I guess the basics is what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance!

[roadwarrior]

I'm low light only. When the sun tops the trees,

it's time for something else. In the evening, as

the sun goes down.

8-)

[Micro]

If I see blowups, I'll fish topwater.  It doesn't matter if it's morning, middday or evening.  

I fish lakes with vast areas of very shallow water (1-6 feet).  Once the water gets into the mid 60s and higher, I start seeing blowups at all times of day - even high noon.   Once I know bass will take surface prey, I'm handicapping myself if I don't take advantage of the bass willingness to take topwater prey.

On a bright, sunny day, my favorite topwater is a Storm Chug Bug in chrome/blue.   This lure is killer.  I'll follow the natural pathways through the lilypads and throw it into dead ends and notches.   I've caught some of my biggest bass on topwaters during the day.

My recommendation is to watch.  If it's apparent bass are feeding ont he surface - go for it.  

[hawgchaser]

Most topwaters are lowlight only with the exception of buzzbaits. If I am fishing grass banks, a buzzbaits will work all day regardless of conditions.

I have caught fish in the middle of the day on various topwaters but I only do that on big bass lakes fishing shallow water.

A few areas to key in on:

Deep water flats or just open water=walk the dog type baits like spooks, sammy etc

Next to timber= chug bugs, pop'rs

grass and shallow water=buzzbaits

nighttime= jitterbug and any loud plug.

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

Whenever you think topwater is the ticket, a jerkbait is a better choice.

8-)

[hawgchaser]

Hmm...

Whenever you think topwater is the ticket, a jerkbait is a better choice.

8-)

A lot of truth in that. I was slamming them with an olive X rap last weekend!....and I am leaving in the morning for a 4 day fishing trip. You can bet I will have a pointer or x rap tied on all day!

[Staff Sergeant--USMC]

Hmm...

Whenever you think topwater is the ticket, a jerkbait is a better choice.

8-)

Well.......here I go with showing my ignorance  ;D but when you say jerk bait, are you talking about zara spooks, devil horses, etc.... :-?

[BassFishingMachine]

If I see blowups, I'll fish topwater. It doesn't matter if it's morning, middday or evening.

I fish lakes with vast areas of very shallow water (1-6 feet). Once the water gets into the mid 60s and higher, I start seeing blowups at all times of day - even high noon. Once I know bass will take surface prey, I'm handicapping myself if I don't take advantage of the bass willingness to take topwater prey.

If it's apparent bass are feeding ont he surface - go for it.

I feel the same way. I have recently heard "walk the dog" style topwaters work well in the post spawn period. Well I tested this statement out and it proved well, now I definetly think "walk the dog" style baits work well during the post spawn, I don't know why, but they just do.

[hawgchaser]

Hmm...

Whenever you think topwater is the ticket, a jerkbait is a better choice.

8-)

Well.......here I go with showing my ignorance ;D but when you say jerk bait, are you talking about zara spooks, devil horses, etc.... :-?

Jerkbait would be a pointer, x rap, or rogue type bait. They aren't topwaters. Most of them dive from 4-6 ft. You jerk the bait to make an erratic motion. I prefer the ones that suspend but some float and some just dive.

BTW. You need some of them

[Staff Sergeant--USMC]

Got it!!!! Thanks, Looks like the ole Staff Sergeant is gonna be stopping by the Bass Pro Shop on his way to the lake this weekend!!! ;D

[skillet]

Sarge,

 Just wanted to muddy the water a little more for you ;D! Early and late is usually the rule for topwater (low light) but I have done really well in the middle of the day with a Devil's Horse. BUT, I was back up in the willow trees on old river runs with lots of shadows and light on the water. Topwater Rules!!! Sometimes if you get an itch you just have to scratch it ...

                                     As Ever,

                                      skillet

[Staff Sergeant--USMC]

Sarge,

Just wanted to muddy the water a little more for you ;D! Early and late is usually the rule for topwater (low light) but I have done really well in the middle of the day with a Devil's Horse. BUT, I was back up in the willow trees on old river runs with lots of shadows and light on the water. Topwater Rules!!! Sometimes if you get an itch you just have to scratch it ...

                                    As Ever,

                                    skillet

Thanks skillet, it's all "clear as mud now"  ;D

[Micro]

Hmm...

Whenever you think topwater is the ticket, a jerkbait is a better choice.

In some situations that may be true.  But if you are fishing corridors and dead-ends in lillypads (which may only be a few feet wide - if that), or pockets in heavy cover, my experience is jerkbaits won't work as well as a surface popper.  

If I'm fishing open water over a weed bed, then a jerkbait makes sense.  

If I only have a small area to work - popper.  If I have an open area to work - jerkbait.  

I think one really nees to read the water they are one.  

[hawgchaser]

Hmm...

Whenever you think topwater is the ticket, a jerkbait is a better choice.

In some situations that may be true. But if you are fishing corridors and dead-ends in lillypads (which may only be a few feet wide - if that), or pockets in heavy cover, my experience is jerkbaits won't work as well as a surface popper.

If I'm fishing open water over a weed bed, then a jerkbait makes sense.

If I only have a small area to work - popper. If I have an open area to work - jerkbait.

I think one really nees to read the water they are one.

Thats true....There is also a lot of areas that a jerkbait wont get through. Try fishing a jerkbait in lily pads and really shallow water.

PLUS sometimes those big gals just want a lot of noise and splashes!

[D.Cox]

In the spring of the year on 2 East TN Lakes, I have caught fish on buzz baits all day long after the spawn. 2 years ago we had 17 lbs in a tournamnet, last fish we weighed came at 2:00 on a buzz bait. we caught 15 keepers that day and 10 the next in a different event. We live where there is alway some shade somewhere, on bluffs, over hanging trees, or docks. So, they will bite all day long. On most of these trips, the water temp. is below 75. After this, it is hard to get them to come up. In the fall of the year when the temp gets down to 60, it will start up again and continue until the temp. gets into the low 50's. This will happen on the lakes  that draw down (These lakes drop 20 ft. for winter pool) and  you can fish any structure that you can see: stumps, rocks, logs. When it is right, you can call where you will catch the next fish.  My buddy and I will fight to cast to the next good looking spot.

[Bass XL]

I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to fishing topwater; so therfore I got a question. I've heard that you should really only fish topwater baits in the early morning and late evening....is this true or is it just during the extreme heat of the summer. I've seen on here where folks are excited about fishing the post spawn w/ topwater baits....do you fish them all day during this time. I obviously know that if the bass aren't hitting topwater baits that I should switch to another bait (that's pretty much the deal w/ any bait though); I'm just in great need of some know how on fishing with top water lures. I guess the basics is what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance!

I didn't really read any of the other reply's, but...I can fish topwater all day (and all night for that matter). From morning till midnight (or midnight till morning). It has accounted for many, many good days, but it has also made me have some bad days. For me, I have so much confidence in topwaters, it's not even funny. The thrill of knowing that a fish could blow up on it at any second keeps me hooked. I've also caught many fish where people would not expect to fish topwaters. Once at Table Rock, the only way we could catch them was throwing topwaters in 100+ feet of water with no visible cover.

[Staff Sergeant--USMC]

b

In the spring of the year on 2 East TN Lakes, I have caught fish on buzz baits all day long after the spawn. 2 years ago we had 17 lbs in a tournamnet, last fish we weighed came at 2:00 on a buzz bait. we caught 15 keepers that day and 10 the next in a different event. We live where there is alway some shade somewhere, on bluffs, over hanging trees, or docks. So, they will bite all day long. On most of these trips, the water temp. is below 75. After this, it is hard to get them to come up. In the fall of the year when the temp gets down to 60, it will start up again and continue until the temp. gets into the low 50's. This will happen on the lakes that draw down (These lakes drop 20 ft. for winter pool) and you can fish any structure that you can see: stumps, rocks, logs. When it is right, you can call where you will catch the next fish. My buddy and I will fight to cast to the next good looking spot.

HMMMM........ East TN lakes huh? As a matter of fact I'm in Knoxville and will be heading to Douglas this weekend, got any pointers for fishing Douglas this time of year?

[George Welcome]

The first word to eliminate from your fishing vocabulary: RULE!

When it comes to chasing bass the only absolute is that your bait has to be in the water. Try that top water any time you want - you just might find it working.

[warmer]

true that george,

i have often found that the high noon high sun toad bite is as good as any bite on the lake at that time.

[ventureboat]

Hey rw, since you brought it up, I have a question. I only fish jerkbaits during pre spawn, and even then I don't do that great with them. Am I messing up by putting them away for the year once the spawn hits??

[D.Cox]

A friend of mine, sent me a email and said he caught some good numbers on a ½ oz double willow spinner bait in White or White and chart. He finished 6th  in the Minor's tournament 2 weeks ago.  I would start out throwing  a buzz bait until the sun comes up then change over to the spinner bait.  If it gets slick and no wind, worm or jig.

Good luck!

[Staff Sergeant--USMC]

A friend of mine, sent me a email and said he caught some good numbers on a ½ oz double willow spinner bait in White or White and chart. He finished 6th in the Minor's tournament 2 weeks ago. I would start out throwing a buzz bait until the sun comes up then change over to the spinner bait. If it gets slick and no wind, worm or jig.

Good luck!

Outstanding!!!! Thank you soooo much for the info!!!! Hopefully, I'll do good, if so, I'll post some pics to show yall! Again, thank you very much for the info!

[Randall]

Best time of the day to throw topwater is midday. ;D "Topwater only works in the am" is a myth. Its only true for those who don't know how to adjust the the conditions and keep on catching them on top. In the extreme heat of summer (over 100) with a 95 degree water temp I went out fishing with Mike D of Lunkerville and caught shallow topwater fish at high noon. It was hot and the fishing was slow but the fish still hit on top. You can see it in the  "Georgia on My Mind " show at www.lunkerville.com. Clear baits, fast retrieves, and fishing close to cover are all tricks I use to get strikes on top in the middle of the day. I even have a top secret buzzbait I make for the middle of the day. It will not roll over at blazing fast speeds and it has a clear skirt. The best topwater bite on deep spotted bass and smallmouth lakes here in GA is almost always at mid day on bright sunny days with just a little wind. I often fish shallow weedy lakes in July and August and tell the people I am fishing with just to bring topwaters and that there is no need to start before 11am. The big ones don't bite early. The best topwater bite I see all year for big fish is in July and August in less than five feet of water in the middle of the day. Now with all that being said early in the am or at night aren't bad either.

[wickyman]

Dawn and dusk are fantastic times to throw top water.  This is the time when the fish are surfacing to eat their prey!  The morning, is when they are the most hungry, but I have seen them just as mad during the evening hours.  Depends on your nat population, on the water, other natural foods, and water temperature.  

[T-rig]

I catch alot post spawn fish during the day on topwaters. Here's one I caught yesterday on a sammy 115. Also caught a perch on the sammy 115!