When do you start topwater fishing?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on May 23, 2013 at 3:26pm

Just throw it bro...during the spawn theyll hit it...during post spawn theyll hit it...during the summer theyll hit it...they'll hit it on top now till fall...if you want some great top water action with smallies fish Banks and Roosevelt in August!

Permalink Reply by Spencer Durand on May 23, 2013 at 4:53pm

That is quite the stroll! anywhere in western. wa with good topwater smallie fishing?

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on May 23, 2013 at 7:12pm

Just fish it starting now in conditions you think favor a topwater bite. There are numerous lakes on this side of the mountains that have Smallies.  They can make it happen for ya!   

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on May 24, 2013 at 6:13am

You can even have solid topwater action during the prespawn period with the right set of conditions and the right techniques. I can tell you that 99% of anglers do not throw topwater early enough in the season.

Permalink Reply by larry johnson on May 24, 2013 at 10:13am

Tag..care to summarize the right conditions and right techniques??

 

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Limit Out Performance Marine on May 24, 2013 at 2:52pm

Top water is good from early April to October.

Permalink Reply by Matthew Kennedy on May 24, 2013 at 3:30pm

I've been throwing topwater since March. No joke. Also, no fish...

Permalink Reply by Spencer Durand on May 24, 2013 at 4:25pm

Tag. I like throwing it early just because I love the anticipation. I imagine some different baits are better early than they are later in the season as well as visa versa. Like said, I love walking style baits but might pull out some poppers and what not.
 
Tag Watson said:

You can even have solid topwater action during the prespawn period with the right set of conditions and the right techniques. I can tell you that 99% of anglers do not throw topwater early enough in the season.

Permalink Reply by Nate on May 31, 2013 at 1:06pm

Agree just throw it, especially on mornings after warmer nights.  You ask "when to start" but honestly you have already missed out on a great time of year to throw it (late pres spawn and spawn). I wouldn't advise wasting a lot of time throwing it during cold front mornings until mid summer pattern because that shallow water just gets so cold. I still do, but its almost always a waste of time. LOL.But other than that, just do it.

I always try to look at missed hookups optimistically this time of year as it is a great way to find active fish from extreme distances. In fact I have not caught a single fish on top-water yet this year, but I have thrown it quite a bit to find productive pockets without spooking the fish. If you really want to catch em I think you can almost always get em with spinning gear on a small popper, that is once you've found em. You can bet ill be throwin a spook this weekend on Walulla with the warm weather were expecting.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on June 2, 2013 at 7:21am

Haha, I've thrown it a few times as well.

I got my first frog fish of the yr yesterday though!

Matthew Kennedy said:

I've been throwing topwater since March. No joke. Also, no fish...

Permalink Reply by Nate on June 12, 2013 at 11:44am

There she is, got er 6-9-2013. Lake Wallula all the way down by the Walla Walla yatch club. Had the boat in about 30' of water I think she bit at about 8'-10'. 2lbs even. Broke my roboworm tray during the fight but it was worth it (: