top water in the winter

[bassattack1990]

does the changing winter change what i should be  throwing for topwater? i love throwing a buzz bait but since the wether has started to change i have only gotton one good fish the last 3 times i have fished with one. should i try something new or just a diffrent color? any suggestions?  

[BucketmouthAngler13]

i think a buzzbait wouldl not work good in the winter. As you know, the motto for fishing in the winter is "Slow everything down, then make it even slower." And buzz baits are faster-retrieve lures.

If any type of topwater would be good during the cold months, i would think it would be a very slow retreived popper.

I dont use topwater in the winter much, however. so i wouldn't really know...

just my .02

Matt

[BassKing813]

I would never use a topwater in winter. I just don't think it will work.

[Troutfisher]

Eh, best stick to something slow in the water fished deep.   Slow and steady is the key to winter fishing; try a crankbait with a very slow retrieve, or some sort of soft plastic, twitching it on occasion.

[Guest avid]

I would never use a topwater in winter. I just don't think it will work.

I'm surprised to hear a Floridian say the topwaters don't work in winter.  I use them year round including winter.  Toss a popper into a cut.  Twitch it a few times.  they'll hit it.

[Chris]

I would change to a spook or something that can be fished real slow. When the water cools down a bass is not in the mood to blast a buzzbait but they will slam a spook walked real slow with lots of pauses. I catch a bunch of fish with a zara puppy this time of the year. It has worked for me from the south to the north in the winter. I try to target flats that get a lot of sun or any pockets.

[sirmo]

Topwaters can most certainly work in the winter.  My personal best I got last year was in 40 degree water on a horny toad.

I actually prefer to fish fast on the really cold days.  Rattle traps, horny toads, DT's.

Winter does not always equal slow presentation, and absolutely does not require you to cut topwaters off you line.

Get out there and keep it up!

[llPa1nll]

Amen, I second that! Just last week when the Water Temp was a tempid 54°F I was having success with a topwater bait. In Winter topwater baits wont do much up here other than bounce across the ice. Its hurry up and get all your fishing time in until March/April.

[Rattletrap]

You being from Tenn. I'd throw an Crawfish pattern Pig & Jig. An orange and Brown combination.  Throw it around rocky points and ledges.

[BucketmouthAngler13]

;D

yes maybe topwater will work in florida and texas in the winter, but our winters in NJ usualy get down to 25 degrees in the daytime. Most lakes have ice on the top, making it difficult to use topwater, or anything for that matter.

The creeks dont freez over usualy, but the water is at freezing point. I've heard bass get sluggish in these conditions, but maybe its a rumor....

Lucky southerners!

Matt

[Rattletrap]

Most lakes have ice on the top, making it difficult to use topwater, or anything for that matter.

That's when ya need to tie on one them new fangled Swimming tailed, Ice skippers.   ;D

[Bass Smacker]

;D

yes maybe topwater will work in florida and texas in the winter, but our winters in NJ usualy get down to 25 degrees in the daytime. Most lakes have ice on the top, making it difficult to use topwater, or anything for that matter.

The creeks dont freez over usualy, but the water is at freezing point. I've heard bass get sluggish in these conditions, but maybe its a rumor....

Lucky southerners!

Matt

What you do the is ya get a big (5oz or bigger) jig and cast it strait up so it will brake throw the ice  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Matt Fly]

We don't usually get the blistering cold winter that most do down here in Tx.    But when water dip into the 40's,    Gizzard shad are known to dart close to the surface.

Waking a big yellow spinner with a single colorado blade just below the surface pulls some nice chunks from time to time.

One of Jim Bitters favorite tricks on blistering cold days.

Matt.

[BucketmouthAngler13]

Most lakes have ice on the top, making it difficult to use topwater, or anything for that matter.

That's when ya need to tie on one them new fangled Swimming tailed, Ice skippers.   ;D

I beleive you mean the new fangled Rapala Topwater "Slashbait". The Ice Rap. It is a brick with size 7/0 trebles. (it comes with feathed sure-sets, too!)

It comes in a three colors. Brick Red, Burnt Orange, Natural White and Hot Pink.

You need a Super Duper Altra Heavy Rod. Ugly stiks work just fine.

[Rattletrap]

Most lakes have ice on the top, making it difficult to use topwater, or anything for that matter.

That's when ya need to tie on one them new fangled Swimming tailed, Ice skippers. ;D

I beleive you mean the new fangled Rapala Topwater "Slashbait". The Ice Rap. It is a brick with size 7/0 trebles. (it comes with feathed sure-sets, too!)

It comes in a three colors. Brick Red, Burnt Orange, Natural White and Hot Pink.

You need a Super Duper Altra Heavy Rod. Ugly stiks work just fine.

LOL!!!! The "Ice Rap". Now that's a better name for it.  ;D

[sirmo]

Yes, us southerner are lucky.  What are you guys doing up there!!!!!!!!!!!!

What, you've never had a bass bust through the ice to hit your super fluke?  Must not be working it right.....    ;D

[Raul]

I would never use a topwater in winter. I just don't think it will work.

I'm surprised to hear a Floridian say the topwaters don't work in winter. I use them year round including winter. Toss a popper into a cut. Twitch it a few times. they'll hit it.

WINTER ..... in FLORIDA ?!?  , that 's a new one.  :-?

Oh well, winter does have a completely different meaning for us boyz down in the south, winter means that we don 't have to turn the A/C all day long, we can turn it off at night because it gets "cold".  ;D

[Hookem]

Regardless of season, a buzzbait is always tied on.

Signed,

Another Texas Boy  ;D

[llPa1nll]

Yea, topwater in winter,water dipping to the 40°Fs in Tx, how do u guys deal with that. I remember back on March 22nd I had to break through 3-5inches of Ice at the ramp to get out to the main lake. The winter gives us Northerners time to clean out our boats and clean up our tackle and gear to get ready for Ice out.