Topwater Question

[huskertko]

I know this has been discussed before but I couldn't limit my search parameters enough to get a good answer.  

Do topwater baits like the Sammy, Spook, and even buzzbaits work better on a day with a little breeze so there is some surface disturbance or do they work better on "glassy" water conditions?

[flechero]

A lot of that depends on the lake and time of day.  In general, I much prefer a (decent) breeze for buzz baits, (except early morning) and will throw them even in high winds if it "feels" right.  Spooks and stuff can work either time but are much harder to "walk" well when fighting waves of any size.  When night fishing, I throw a buzz bait in calm or wind, but only throw a spook on a still night.

I guess the biggest factor is your own confidence... if you are comfortable with the amount of wind.  The only problem I see is that when I buzz in high winds, I see a lot more short strikes and misses.

[Guest avid]

spook type baits definitly work better when the water is pretty calm.  buzzbaits can stand a little chop.  I love using poppers when the water is wavy.  I just let em sit in a good spot.  The wave action gives that popper all the life it needs to get good strikes.

[basspro48]

I have actually found that walking baits and especially prop baits, like a devil's horse, can be very effective when there is a small chop on the surface. You just have to work them with a little more oomph

[gatrboy53]

certain types of t.w. baits are designed for certain conditions,imo,some ripple is better for t.w. because the fish cant tell as good if its a live morsel or a imitation.if there is no ripple(glassy conditions)i usually try to keep it movin so they cant get a good look at the bait and strike out of reaction.low light can do the same thing.

[Brian_Reeves]

Chop pretty much depends on what kind of topwater I'm throwing.  If it's really rough, devil's horses or torpedos.  If it's moderate, buzzbaits.  If it's slick, poppers or sticks.  That's my general rule of thumb if you rule out every other variable that goes into the formula to make topwaters work on a given day.  

[huskertko]

Thanks guys, I just drove by a large pond on the way to work this morning and it was smooth as glass and I just got to thinking.  I guess I was thinking that a little movement on the surface would have less of a chance of frightening fish than a glass surface.

[Wormy]

I prefer a little ripple at least... A smooth surface for me is Lucky 13 time...

[Rattlinrogue]

If the water is glass smooth,I want to throw a very subtle bait such as an Original Rapala Floater and twitch it.If the bass are really aggressive ,I'll go with the Rogue floater and twitch,jerk,or rip depending on what they want.I like a little ripple especially when the sun comes up.Buzzbaits,Devil's Horse,and Torpedos are the ticket for me.I've never developed much confidence in a Pop-R or Spook type bait even though I can walk the dog as well as anyone.I just never gave either of those baits a fair chance.

[Randall]

Here is my general rule of thumb. High winds buzzbaits and propbaits work best. A little ripple spooks, small propbaits and Pop-R type baits. Slick and sunny Lucky Craft Gunfish will out perform every other topwater made. Slick but no sun try them all but Lucky Craft Gunfish is still the best bet.

[Chris]

I know this has been discussed before but I couldn't limit my search parameters enough to get a good answer.

Do topwater baits like the Sammy, Spook, and even buzzbaits work better on a day with a little breeze so there is some surface disturbance or do they work better on "glassy" water conditions?

It depends on the mood of the fish. When you have a chop on the water or stained/muddy water a topwater bait that makes a lot of noise in most cases will draw more strikes because the bass can track it and locate it from a distance. In clear water action is what will draw more strikes but like I said mood is the detemining factor because bass have a mind of their own and break the rules sometimes :

[RoLo]

If the water is glass smooth,I want to throw a very subtle bait such as an Original Rapala Floater and twitch it.

That would be my first choice as well (dyn-O-mite).

Actually a light chop can be beneficial for topwater delivery because it tends to hide imperfections.

The problem is, the more roily the water the greater the commotion the lure must make

in order to be noticed.

Roger

[Panamoka_Bassin]

I agree that with buzz-baits a little chop deffinately helps, but for spooks and poppers, I think calmer is better...and certailny for prop baits.  I don't seem to get enough noise and "action" from those in a lot of wind, but I have had plenty of luck on glassy surfaces.  Best tip I know of, though, is to let any floating bait sit for 5-10 seconds before retrieving.  A bass might get spooked a bit when the bait hits the water, but many times will come back to investigate.  I've actually been able to catch a few fish before I even start reeling in the bait.