Too hot for topwater?

[gajpb]

I know there are articles, etc on topwater fishing, but I have a question I couldn't find the answer to. Down here in GA, the surface temp ranges from 86 to 90, and I wondered, as I hauled water this morning, if it is ever, even in the early dawn hour, too hot even for topwater? I seem to think not--any other thoughts and felings on this? Insights?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I havn't had any problem catching on top in the heat, for me it's much more of a light issue.  I would however fish near the higher oxygenated water (shallows near deeper water) as opposed to the thickly vegetated, choked,shallow coves.  Good luck

[senko_77]

i live in georgia to.  i tend to fish topwaters all the time.  it isnt to hot, but you do have to slow down in the middle of the day.  throw a spook to get them to come up.  make them thinks its worth rising to hot water to get a meal

[dirtybirdnation]

In my opinion no it's not too hot for top water. Georgia angler here as well. 8)

[Rattlinrogue]

I've been fishing from 5:00-8:30 AM since spring.All of June and July,I've averaged 5 mornings a week.Here in south MS,the topwater action had been ouystanding up until about two weeks ago.I was catching 8-10 slot fish (18-22 inches) most mornings on topwaters.Now, I'm lucky to catch1-2 dinks on TW.I've had to go to a finese worm to catch bass early in the morning

[gajpb]

I also think that I have to be more willing to change lures, be less stubborn. I tend to stick with one lure (usually a spook) until it's almost too late for topwater. I plan on switching up a lot more readily next time out, rigging up three rods (buzzbait, spook, pop-r).

[Will]

I don't think it can be to hot for topwater, but it can be to cold. With temperatures in the 100's, clear skies, banks without shade, and the middle of the afternoon I have still caught fish on the horny toad fished like a buzzbait on the surface.

[Shad_Master]

The response above about oxygen is good information when fishing in really hot weather, but what I have noticed this year is that "prop" style baits (Devil Horse, etc.) are working better than poppers or walking baits when the surface temp is up there.  Don't really know why, but just an observation.

[Ben]

TOO HOT!!!! Never.

I also live down here in GA, just a couple of miles from the geographical center and I fish topwater year round.  

That's the nice thing about bass, they can't read so they haven't read all that stuff about what and when they are suppose to bite.

Clark Hill is above pool level and last weekend caught three nice bass on a buzz bait, two on a devil horse and four keepers ripping a Yo-Zuri.  Surface temps was 85 - 87 degrees

[bigbill]

The PH can really vary thus making the action either awesome or completely stopped dead. During the daytime hours in the heat the fish are deep in the weeds(cover) where the oxygen is the best. I don't think the heat bothers them as much as the PH does they can't breathe they have to go were the oxygen is the best.

I fish mainly from dark till dawn everyday. As the sky begins to light up while its still dark the topwater action starts up. And it will continue till dawn. The bass's eyes change and adjust first to the difference in light while the baitfish's eyes take longer to change thus making them easy prey for the bass this is why the action is on at first light. The samething happens in the evening too its a short window of awesome action too. In the middle of the day when its the brightest of the sunlite the bass turn on again because of the baitfish will move to eat the newly hatched plankton thus they become easy prey again. So you can even get topwater action in the middle of the day too. No matter what time of day it is I always will try my topwater stuff. I have seen big bass in the pads busting topwater like a torpedo at 2 in the afternoon this is when i send in a weedless spoon with a large plastic trailer. She did turn and hit it too and i missed her but the rush i got was awesome just to see it. I have been watching this one big bass for weeks now in the pads. I'm just taking my time with her.

I had this happen lastyear while fishing from shore. Another large fish was working the pads over in another place for 3 months every morning and i just waited. I was catching bass but i could see this bigger fish out of my reach in the pads. The size of the Vee in the water it made was awesome. I finally got a shot at it when it was near me just within my reach. I made a very long cast past it about 4' to the right of it. As i worked my lure it turned and hit it. I landed the biggest pickerel i have ever seen and caught(30") and the fight was awesome my drag was going the whole time. The "big VEE" is the give away to what it was. The fight was worth waiting for.

[Phishn_Phool]

Here in central Florida where the water temps are nere 90 I am having a hard time catching fish on a buzzbait, but I am catching them on a Devilshorse.  I think the fact that it is a little slower is what they are wanting now.  

                                CPR ;D

[Chris]

I think it depends on the mood of the fish and where the baitfish are. If I see a lot of bait near the surface or breaking the surface I stick with topwater. If that isn't working I fish something that runs a little deeper. Sometimes they want a slow moving prop or pop r bait sometimes a moving spooking bait. If they are real active they will chase a moving bait but when they are lazy they might hit a slow moving bait better. If the fish are sitting in the middle of cover they might not run out to grab someting moving fast and a slow moving bait might work better to get the fish out of the cover to grab your bait.