When to start topwaters?

[huskertko]

What should the water temp be before I start using topwaters, like frogs, spooks, etc?

[FutureClassicChamp]

45

[huskertko]

So, if water temps are in the mid 60's I should be good to go.

[RoLo]

During a warming trend, it's possible to catch bass on top even in mid-winter.

It really boils down to the percentage of time that topwaters might be effective.

When water temperatures top 60 degrees, topwater opportunities begin to increase.

Water temperatures between 70 & 80 degrees are usually best, which we now have in central Florida.

Roger

[FutureClassicChamp]

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So, if water temps are in the mid 60's I should be good to go.

absolutely

[huskertko]

Cool, thanks.

[Guest ouachitabassangler]

Usually in early mornings and late evenings wind is down and bass are less active feeding but are staged up to begin as soon as baitfish begin moving, so most topwaters appeal more at a time a reaction bite is more likely. Bass can see and track a topwater better if the surface is calm, and will come up from deep water to smash it. Once some chop begins it takes a wilder action to compete with surface noises and reduced visibility. On days that stay calm the topwater bite continues often better than other offerings. I enjoy the topwater bite above all others, so whenever bass are at all active I'll begin with those. If they are on sonar as belly to bottom, or following increase in atmospheric pressure  it doesn't work well. I fish them all seasons, in winter especially if there's a little warmup over 2-3 days when bass will leave the deep to forage shallower.

Jim

[iceintheveins]

Once the water hits 55 for me I will begin throwing topwaters in the evenings or during cloudy weather. The best topwater action in my mind generally occurs between 70 and 80 degrees though during cloudy or low light condtions.

[Rattlinrogue]

I start topwater fishing in earnest when the temps hit the 60's.A warming trend doesn't hurt.I'm sure others may experience different outcomes,but early and late in the day and overcast days are my most successful times to catch 'em on top.

[Brad_Coovert]

If the fish are shallow, regardless of water temp, you may get some get some action on a topwater.   Bait present is even better.

I have seen many a fish caught on topwaters in water low 50's and up.

Brad

[Matt Fly]

My topwater bite takes off as soon as there are post-spawners.   Thats now!!!

[GeorgiaBassman]

i started using top water right when the bass started moving up onto the Bluegill beds.  I have been tearing them up.

[ga_hawghauler]

i usually keep one pretty handy year round because they are in certain cases a few bass that will hit topwater year round. once the water temp gets above 65 i threw topwater a little more consistenly on into summer. durning the summer i love throwing buzz baits at night around boat docks

[Rattlinrogue]

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My topwater bite takes off as soon as there are post-spawners. Thats now!!!

Amen to that brother Fly.Me too!

[Guest avid]

I live in Florida so I will fish topwater all year long.  But  did pretty much the same thing back in NY. My philosophy of fishing is a little different people who are oriented toward tournaments, or strictly follow the advice of pro's.  If I feel like fishing topwaters, I fish topwaters.  I can't tell you how many good fish I have caught over the years on baits that were not supposed to be correct for the existing conditions.  The rule is their are no rules.  They are just guidelines.

Bass don't know they're not supposed eat topwaters when the water is too hot, too cold, or the sun too bright. Tournament anglers and pro's have to go with what is most likely to catch keeper bass. I fish for enjoyment so I can do what I want, when I want.

[Ben]

I live in Ga but I start topwater the first couple of warm days. I've been hammering them on a 1/4 oz Booyaa buzz bait for about six weeks now. Every weekend I''m catching 5 - 10 big bass (3.5 - 7 lbs) and a large number of smaller bass. I'm throwing the buzz bait most of the day (not just early and late) when working shallow. Getting much better action on it than spinner baits. 75% of the fish I've caught this spring has been on a buzz bait or green lizard. Certain honey holes are holding numbers off fish in 3 - 5 feet of water and they will not come up for a top water but can't stand having that lizard in front of them. We caught 17 nice bass on one point two weeks ago and never moved over a couple of hundred feet all morning, just worked that point.

Should mention, I'm not cranking on that buzz, holding the rod high and just barely keeping it on the surface so the blades barely clop, clop. Another trick they can't stand it throwing it on the bank of just at the edge, buzz it kinda fast about two feet and then slow down to the clopping, they hammer it with in a foot of slowing it down.