Early Season Topwater?
 

Any of you guys have luck on topwater lures early in the season? The next few couple days of warmth may really wake them up, but I don't think I've landed anything on a topwater lure before things really warmed up in May or so. Will be out there today tossing the regular stuff, but will pull out the Spooks for a few casts and see what's good...

Re: Early Season Topwater?
 

To be honest I haven't even considered pulling the topwater stuff out of the box yet. From what I've noticed, it does seem the bass have become a good bit more active this last week, but they still wont travel out of their way and I'm still picking them up almost exclusively on a long pause suspending jerkbait(vision 110 style). As far as the toothies, i cant add too much on their behavior.. Been getting a ton of chains but the pike bite has cooled in my usual spots. Whats your luck been with topwater pike in the early spring the last couple years?

Re: Early Season Topwater?
 

depends on the body of water and the fish ur after. Alot of fish are in the super shallows spawning or getting ready to, so you might get some action. Something like a floating stickbait fished slow works well this time of year, or small huskyjerks. You can always toss plastics/jigs any time of year too. I love topwater its one of my goto styles but I usually wait til warmer water, like may into the early fall......

Re: Early Season Topwater?
 

I think early-season topwater is totally underrated. I have caught bass on Zara Spooks on warm cloudy days in February. When the shallows warm this time of year, you can find fish in less than a foot of water. I have trouble believing those fish wouldn't smack something on the surface.

Re: Early Season Topwater?
 

saturday got 4 bass and 11 pickerel in one warm(55F) cove. nothing else rest of the lake(46-48F). all on a 2" surface popper.

sunday had a dink fest at one pond(50F) getting dozens of 6 to 10" largemouths on on buzzbait. nothing bigger than 10" in 3 hrs. later at another pond(51F) got one 15" on a 1/8 oz buzzbait.

50F seems to be the magic number. shallow coves out of the wind are also good. they will be clobbering surface stuff the next few days.

Re: Early Season Topwater?
 

And there you have it!

Re: Early Season Topwater?
 

The lake I was on Sunday surface temp was 41, the one fish I did catch was tight to the bottom, as I could feel my weight hitting the hard rock surfaces. Top water? Maybe mid to late may?

Re: Early Season Topwater?
 

Good info guys. I was hoping to throw something on top tonight but it was too windy to even be worth it.

Re: Early Season Topwater?
 

earliest on topwater for me has been may.

Re: Early Season Topwater?
 

Ditto...May in NJ would be the earliest I would try except last year with the warm temps...April. BUT...if you dont throw it it can't happen so ya never know.