Early Season Topwater?

[acabtp]

i usually wait until i start seeing/hearing topwater blowups around me. match what they're looking for, you know?

[Glenngut]

I fished topwater on fly and spin gear. I covered buzzbaits, poppers, walked the dog, threw different dry flies, and got nothing. Fish are feeding top water though. I had a big pike miss a buzzer yesterday in Milltown and a crappie jump off the hook on a gnat today. I'm pattern fishing and having a lot of trouble figuring out what they want.

[Lard Almighty]

Topwater can certainly work early in the season, but when the water's still cold there are usually better options. I don't normally start fishing topwaters seriously until around the end of May. A lot of people tend to think that 50 degrees is the magic number, but I usually wait until it is warmer.

[Bergen Angler]

I was catching LMB using a hula popper in July and August. Right now, I am using Blades to catch LMB.

[JerryC]

Its possible, but topwater would be the last thing i would use thsi early in the season.

[bowzonly]

Was out on 4/11, surface water temp was 60. Threw a big floating deep diving crankbait next to a log extending into the water from the shore with the intent. of pulling it down the bank. Bass blew up on it as soon as it hit, missed it. Threw it again but this time had to twitch a couple times before getting a reaction, hooked up. Released it and threw to the same spot again. Another one blew up as soon as it hit but my line was wrapped around back treble so I missed. Couldnt get it to strike again. Thought I was on a pattern but couldnt get another bite for the remaining 2 hours I fished. Will post pic in separate thread.

[Skunk City]

All good info guys...

[bigfishy]

Last yr. I caught a four lber. on topwater in early march, but with basically NO winter that yr. I don't think i'll be able to break that record in NJ...50 degrees is that magic # lard.....I don't do it personally but a buddy of mine starts throwing topwater once its been 50 for at least 2-3 days.....He does'nt
kill em all the time but its just like any other pattern, ya gotta try it to see if the fish are into it....He has had early spring days where he has outfished the entire lake of dozens of other fisherman stickin with topwater.....

Its about the only time of year that i have caught good numbers of fish on topwater in the middle of a blue bird sunny day...of course slower cadences but topwater none the less