Topwater

[jbdragon]

I have seen some posts around here about different Top water lures (Scumfrog, Poppers, Buzbaits...) I have not done much top water bass fishing and hope to get into more this summer. What are the best times of the day, water depths, retrieve speeds, techniques for top water lures? Any help would be appreciated. I have a bass opener trip planned and would like to try a few new lures. Thanks!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

There are going to be a lot of opinions on this... I am going to take scumfrogs out of the equation because although they are a top water... Its different fishing!

Most topwater bites happen in low light situations. That can mean dawn and dusk or just an overcast day.

Retrieve is going to be different depending on the lure. Some are designed to be reeled back on a somewhat steady retrieve(jitterbug, buzzbait) while others are best of retrieved with slow twitches of the rod(pop-r) and others with a steady twitch(spook or sammy type baits)

as for depth its going to depend on the lake. And the species you are fishing for. Most of the time for largemouth fish topwater pretty shallow, in and around weedy cover. Smallmouth are a different breed, they will come out of 20 feet of water after a topwater at times. Also, many times topwater bites are best once the water warms a bit. You can catch them with topwater, but I dont think its your best technique for opener most times.

[kt]

As was mention before, the topwater bite usually isn't as good early in the season. However, last year on the opener my brother caught a bunch of largemouth throwing a buzzbait through stands of dead bulrush. One thing we noticed was that the bite tended to pick up in the afternoon and evening as the water warmed up a little. Keep this in mind, when the water temps are cool at the beginning of the season i have found that the best bite is in the afternoon and evening once the heating of the day has had a chance to warm the water up.

[EBass]

I haven't been bass fishing in so long I don't remember what topwater is all about anymore. 1 1/2 away from the real opener!!

Buzzbaits in the AM? I had a really good buzz bait bite one day but I think is was AM. Great now I'll have to try that out.

I like topwater when the water is calm no matter what time of day.

[LOWinEYEin]

I got hooked on Buzzbaits last year, there fun. But nothing beats the-stop and pause then splash-jump...repeat...in da boat.

[Mark Christianson]

Buzzers for me too!!!

Every cast is full of tension, just wondering when the explosion will happen.

I found the cheapy 1/8oz buzzers at Walmart worked great all year. I even got smallies in November on the Miss on the "buzz"ards.
I think they are $1.18 or something like that. Very cheap, and very effective.

[huskiesplayer15]

has anyone else had the feeling they know they are gonna get a hit so they alter their retrieve a little, go to a quick retrieve for three feet then BOOM or you let it sit a second longer? This just give me the tingles I cant wait! It's a good thing you guy sfis hor you wouldnt understand and think I am weird.
Best Fishes
Chris

When I go out, I dont go find a ten right away, i find a 7 and drink till she is a nine!

[Guest]

early morning and night seem to be the best for me, however I like fishing topwater when ever and where ever the water is calm or near calm. this can be in the middle of the day. I like fishing topwaters slow making sure I let the lure sit a few seconds usually until the ripples die off and my first few movements are just little twiches or vibrations. Usually if there is a fish around they will slam it. Water level doesn't seem to matter too much I've caught bass in 10' of water all the way up to a couple inches. The more sun the deeper water I tend to fish. The key thpough is to not set your hook right away. It's hard but letting them take it fow a few seconds and then setting your hook will increase your chances.

[Ray Esboldt]

I'll second Exude.

The warmer the water the more often I throw topwaters. The one exception would be a largemouth buzzbait bite lasts well into October most years.

Here's a little oddity that I have found consistent over the years, but have no way of explaining it. Buzzers are better early morning baits than walking/popping lures. Evening brings the opposite. Maybe it justs me, and I have constantly tried to disprove this observation. Anyone else ever make this observation?

Lowlight is the best time for topwater, no question. Here's a couple exceptions. River/current fish, largemouth or smallmouth, will eat a topwater anytime of day if they are so inclined. In fact, smallmouth will eat a topwater anytime of day. Doesn't matter if its calm, windy, sunny, or the dark of night. If that's what they want that day, they'll rip it up.

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Ray Esboldt

Catch-N Tackle
MarCum
Stone Legacy

[Deitz Dittrich]

Interesting theory Ray...I guess I havn't thought of that much. I will say this. If there is any chop to the water I will usually throw the buzzbait. If its dead calm I'll opt for the walk the dog or pop type bait. I do wonder if wave action threw the day could muddy or stir up the lake threwout the day, where the pop-type bait(slower moving) would maybe produce better in the evening. While the buzzer(faster moving might do best in the morning).. hard to say..

I will add this to what I and ray already said in relation to water temps. Spring water temps and fall water temps are 2 totally different beasts. I have thrown topwater in the fall till there has almost been ice on the lake. But have not had topwater produce good numbers for me till after the water reaches about 65 or even higher in the spring. If I had to guess it would have to do with the ammount of fish in available shallow cover. There are not a whole lot of fish up shallow before the water reaches 60, yet in the fall there are a lot of fish shallow when the water drops below 50... Just a opinion of mine.. you can rip me if you want.. I can take it!

[panolo]

Water clarity is a big thing for me. I will fish a buzzer all day if it is a real dark lake. I love the explosions! Also as someone stated earlier verying your retrieve at times can activate strikes. Right now the week and a day can not go fast enough! Eye's are good to eat but there is nothing like a good bass bite!

[delmuts]

i have seen the top water bite go well into late fall also. a lake i fish close to me gets tons of pressure. one thing we love doing once the water gets and stays warm is to fish an ultra lite hula popper on a ultra lite rig with 4# line. even the little guys are a hand full, and when you get a 2 1/2lb + it is a pure rush! surface bites are the best!! del

[Wayne Ek]

I agree guys, but in my area the early season bite is usually strongest with rogues, wild shiner or husky's. I use floaters that I doctor with strips until the back just breaks the surface. These are easy for my clients to cast and fish, small slow jerks back to the boat ( the bait not the clients).

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Wayne
Agape Fishing Guides
www.agapefishingguides.com

[BigMike]

Speaking of topwater, I was down on pool 2 tonight and decided to whip out a couple topwaters for fun... good thing too! Big Zara Spook pulled a hawg largemouth - just launched himself in the air when he hit that thing. And a couple nice 14 & 15 inchers on buzz baits.

I caught a handful on topwater tonight, but my number one bait for the night was a spinnerbait - TONS of action tonight on that thing. I almost had to wrap my thumb I was catching so many nice size bass - couldn't believe it! Sorry no pictures, I went alone - but my wife can verify the bass thumb

[jbdragon]

Is fishing for bass in that pool legal right now? If so.. Where is it?

[BigMike]

Pool 2 and Pool 4 of the Mississippi is legal right now. Pool 2 is the body of water south of the Ford Dam all the way down to almost Hastings (I think) - but I've never been down that direction. The Ford Dam is by Minnehaha falls/Hihawatha(Hwy 55) in S. Minneapolis & SE St. Paul. If you have a boat you can launch at Lilydale Reginal park or Hidden Falls. If you shore fish, just start walking - it's a shorefisherman's paradise with tons of water to cover!

Good luck

[EBass]

Good job BigMike!

I took my boat out just for a spin to see how she runs. Well she runs. Kinda rough, so I'll get some new plugs and the gas is from last fall. Any who, only a week and a few hours away.

[BigMike]

Ebass, that's cool to hear about your motor being back up and running. New plugs and gas (ouch, have you seen the gas prices lately) should really help out! At least you're on the water, I'm still hoofing it - although I am not complaining after last night .

Where you headed for opener. I think I'll be wading up around monti or elk river - maybe even on the mpls lakes.

Kinda depends on weather and the lady's plans.

[GRfisher]

I love bass fishing and am always doing it. I always try and fish early mornings and late nights. Start when the sun is coming up. And stay out if you want during the day. Otherwise go back out later at night about a couple hours before the sun goes down.

During the day i love to fish more in the shade spots and stay away from the direct sun spots.

I love just using a straight rappala, and casting it out, and reeling it in, stoping for a couple seconds and then reeling it a bit more.

I use poppers a lot to, and just pull and pop 'em let them sit for no more than a few seconds and do it again.

Good Luck fishing ya'll

[Clay.P]

On the river the Buzzbait bite seems to start a little early. I think that there are more fish shallow year round in river conditions than on a lake. I start once the water hits the 50s. I start with a very slow retrieve. Longer pauses on the walking and chugger baits, and just disturbing the surface with the buzzbaits. Zara spooks have worked the best for me.