when is the best time to use topwater baits?!?!?!

[GLADES]

I like to use them early morning, late in the afternoon, or when there is a light chop on the water with overcast skies.

[bigbill]

On my first cast its the BPS Topnocker #25 in color loaded up with either baitmate bass scent or YUM shad scent to get things going.  This sets the tone on what mood the fish are in wether its topwater or going to either crankbaits or inline spinners next.  Using scents has proved itself over and over.  I like the YUM money minnow at the surface too.

[NasTMcfingas]

I like to use them early morning, late in the afternoon, or when there is a light chop on the water with overcast skies.

X2 and I always check the windy shore line. Also, try a Rage Tail Shad, Toad, or a frog and put the buzz bait down.  These baits go 10X the places you can toss a buzz bait.

[Stagerlee]

great post RoLo.

[steezy]

Works best for me early morning (sunrise) and near dark (sunset).

[J Francho]

I think the reason so many have great luck during crepuscular times (dawn and dusk) is that conventional wisdom says to throw them then, so that's when they throw them. Therefore, when that bite is on, they catch fish, and attribute it to timing when other factors could have contributed. This past Sunday, my partner and I alternated between topwater and drop shot Roboworms ALL DAY LONG, and destroyed the smallies where we were fishing. A few largemouth were caught as well. Keep an open mind, as some locations are just made for the topwater bite. In our case it was a submerged ledge, in about 12 FOW, dropping off to 25+. Fish stayed bear that ledge, and hunted the bait balls as they moved in or off shore.

[kms399]

my favorite time is full moon or close with clear skies and around 3-4 in the morning until the sun comes up.