When does TOPWATER start?

[Dixon]

I live in Georgia and got alot of tournaments coming up. My buddy keeps telling me we should throw some topwater this weekend.  I mean about when do they start hitting poppers and other topwater lures.  I know theres no exact date but any ideas.

[D4u2s0t]

when they're aggressively feedin on the surface will be the best time, but any time they are aggressive or actively feeding is fine.  You can follow what most will tell you, early in the morning and at dusk, but then you'll miss out on the great topwater hits all day like most do as well.

[CFFF 1.5]

Topwater should be used year round.

[brushhoggin]

if its a hot bluebird day, bring your frogs across some mats or anything providing shade.

[Bass XL]

I've caught fish on spooks in the dead winter out on Table Rock. It's better at certain times over others. I'm noticing a pretty good bight right now on slow moving topwaters. Buzzbaits and Wakebaits like the Jackall Mikey are working great for me right now.

[Bass_Akwards]

All year round but starting just after post spawn is awesome!  Bass just spawned and are just chilling near the cover.  They might now want to eat, but top water drives them insane and they just can't keep off it.  Best times to fish topwater is low light conditions in the morning or night when the bass come shallow under the protection of dusk and night. 

[Dixon]

Think they are prespawning but getting ready to spawn in Georgia.

[mrbassky]

They can work anytime its just a question if something else will work better. I think the shallower the water the colder they will hit topwater. When the water temps get in the 60s in spring is an OK guideline in fall they will hit topwater much colder. But if fish are shallow I will throw topwater in 55 degree water in spring. Especially if I see baitfish activity on top.

[florida strain]

for me i have a window i like to throw top water, as well some guys use them year round.. the window for me , that i like to use is post spawn period -summer -fall-and then again at pre spawn..and the time i use them is  a few hours before dark-night-and a few hours after dawn, unless there is overcast the bite could extend a few hours

[gobig]

when they're aggressively feedin on the surface will be the best time, but any time they are aggressive or actively feeding is fine.  You can follow what most will tell you, early in the morning and at dusk, but then you'll miss out on the great topwater hits all day like most do as well

.

I could not agree more. This can happen at anytime of the year.

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

yea about the middle or end of april for georgia, what part are you in?

[XPSbasser]

Ive been catching fish this week on topwater. Rapala Floating Jerkbaits and Rapala Skitterwalks. I believe alot of the bass are done spawning around here honestly because they are feeding like crazy and there are alot of smaller fish around.. Oh and by the way, was having strikes on topwater today at noon so it could happen anytime and not just at dawn and dusk..

[MattyG]

For the delta I keep topwaters year around. But for the upper lakes only spring threw fall. Cold water = jigs.

[Revo_Carrot Stix]

In the Kansas City area, it usually doesn't start until mid-May. I've tried and tried, but it seems to hit when we start seeing vegetation grow in and around the banks. Right now, everything near the water is pretty dead.

[Bass XL]

In the Kansas City area, it usually doesn't start until mid-May. I've tried and tried, but it seems to hit when we start seeing vegetation grow in and around the banks. Right now, everything near the water is pretty dead.

Im here in Warrensburg MO, not too far from KC. We've got a decent topwater bite building up.

[aarogb]

I think it depends on your local lakes water temp.  For my local lake the water temp is right at 68 and that is getting prime topwater time.

[garland7]

Anytime! Don't be afraid to test a top water even if the water is gin clear, bluebird sky, cold or hot. Just keep in mind the presentation for the cover/structure, water clarity and sun angle. Maybe long casts, and retrieve speeds altered for the situation.

[BigEbass]

I had my best topwater bite on a  "dog day" at a pond in west Alabama - 1pm - wasnt catching crap on anything - it was really calm - HOT AS CRAP - tied on a buzzbait and proceded to catch bass TNTC (too numerous to count - medical lingo ) - Of course ask me how many times I replicate that....not really all that often, but I think its worth a shot from time to time, from season to season - and definately when they are actively feeding - I just love topwater baby!!!

And if you always follow the same rules, then you may miss catching TNTC bass  ;D

[Tin]

55* and above I can usually get the smallies to choke on the Spook and largies to eat a buzzbait.