Best Time For Topwater Fishing – Our Proven Tips & Insights

Fishing topwater is an exhilarating way to catch fish, offering that unique thrill when a bass strikes your topwater lure right on the surface. There’s nothing quite like the heart-pounding excitement of seeing a bass explode on your topwater bait. It’s this rush that makes topwater fishing a favorite among many anglers. But, to really make the most of your time out there, it’s important to know what time of day is best for topwater fishing.

The time of day can seriously impact how active the bass are and how likely they are to go after your lure. By figuring out the best time for topwater fishing, you can really boost your chances of landing that big one.

From my years of fishing and observing bass behavior, I’ve noticed that certain times of day are better for topwater action. Factors like light, water temperature, and feeding habits all play a part.

Let’s Discuss Every Part of the Day & Choose Your Preferred Time

1. Early Morning is the Prime Time

Early mornings, particularly around dawn, often considered the best time for topwater fishing. The reasons are simple: the light is low, and the water temperature is cooler. Bass are more active and willing to strike topwater baits during this time.

I always set my alarm for before sunrise and hit the water with my topwater lures ready. The calm surface and the quiet of the morning create perfect conditions for topwater fishing. I typically get the most strikes from about 30-45 minutes before sunrise to about 30-45 minutes after.

During this window, bass are actively feeding, taking advantage of the low light conditions to hunt. Their vision is adapted to the dawn’s dim light, making them more likely to chase after a well-placed topwater lure. Once the sun is fully up, the topwater bite tends to slow down.

However, if I find a nice shady spot, such as a cove with overhanging trees or a shaded bank, I can sometimes extend the topwater action a bit longer. The shade helps maintain a cooler water temperature, which keeps the bass active.

Using lures like poppers, walking baits, or buzz baits can be especially effective in these conditions, as the disturbance on the water surface mimics the movement of prey, triggering those explosive strikes.

2. Evening is Another Great Window

Just before sunset and into the early night hours is another excellent time for topwater fishing. The reasons here are similar to those in the morning: the light is fading, and the water is cooling down again, making bass more likely to come to the surface to feed.

I love using topwater lures about half an hour before sunset and continuing into the night. The dimming light and cooler temperatures create perfect conditions for bass to be more active and come closer to the surface. On cloudy or rainy days, this bite can extend into the daytime as well. In late spring through mid-summer, I often target shady spots with topwater lures, as these areas tend to hold more active fish.

You should read our guide on topwater fishing in the rain.

One of the best times to use topwater lures is right after a summer afternoon thunderstorm. As the storm passes and everything starts coming back out to feed, the surface action can be phenomenal. The disturbance on the water surface caused by topwater lures mimics the natural prey movements, making them highly effective during this time.

3. Night Fishing is a Hidden Gem

Nighttime topwater fishing can be incredibly productive, especially in less pressured areas. The darkness gives bass a sense of security, making them more willing to strike.

One of my colleagues from Fish Chart Time shared his experience of night fishing in Florida. He mentioned that night fishing is his favorite time for topwater action. According to him, the darkest nights often result in the most aggressive strikes.

To attract bass, he uses loud, attention-grabbing baits like buzzbaits or popping frogs. The key is to create enough noise and movement on the water to draw the bass out. The quiet and stillness of the night make these lures stand out, often leading to some of the most exciting and memorable fishing moments.

4. Midday Can be Challenging but Possible

While early morning and evening are prime times, midday can still offer opportunities for topwater fishing, particularly under specific conditions.

I’ve had success with topwater lures during the brightest part of the day by focusing on finding the right cover. My main topwater bait during these times is the frog, followed by a swim bait. The key is to find cover where bass are likely to be hiding during the day, such as under lily pads, overhanging trees, or near docks.

If I can guess correctly and the bass are there, the strike is fantastic. Despite the midday heat, bass will strike if you present the lure correctly in these shaded, cooler areas.

Weather Conditions Impact Topwater Fishing

Weather plays a significant role in my topwater fishing success. Overcast days, post-storm conditions, and wind patterns can all impact bass behavior and how I approach my fishing strategy.

Overcast Days

I find that overcast days often extend the topwater bite throughout the day. The cloud cover reduces light penetration, making bass feel more secure and more likely to feed near the surface.

On these days, I don’t limit my topwater fishing to just the early morning and late evening. I can keep my topwater lures in action much longer. I use lures that create a noticeable disturbance on the surface to attract bass in the dim light.

Post-Storm Conditions

After summer thunderstorms, topwater lures become very effective for me. The rain and overcast skies cool down the water and reduce light levels, which encourages bass to be more active and come to the surface to feed.

The influx of fresh, oxygenated water also stirs up the ecosystem, prompting baitfish and other prey to move around more, which in turn draws the bass out. I find that loud, splashy lures can mimic the sounds of distressed prey and attract bass to strike.

Wind Patterns

Wind patterns also play a crucial role in my topwater fishing. On windy days, the water surface becomes choppy, which can make it harder for bass to detect my lure. However, this doesn’t mean I can’t have success.

I just need to adjust my presentation. In choppy water, I use lures that create more noise and have a more pronounced action, like buzz baits or prop baits. These lures can cut through the surface noise and attract bass even in rough conditions.

On the other hand, when the water is smooth and calm, a quieter and more subtle approach works best for me. Lures like poppers or walking baits that create gentle ripples and pops are ideal. The key is to make my lure stand out without overwhelming the bass with too much noise.

Adapting to Seasonal Changes

Different seasons affect the effectiveness of topwater lures. Understanding these seasonal changes helps me plan my fishing trips better.

Spring – Early and Late

In early and late spring, bass are feeding heavily as they prepare for spawning. This makes topwater lures particularly effective. As the water warms up, bass move into shallow water to spawn and become more aggressive.

I often find success using poppers and walking baits during this time. The key is to work these lures slowly and deliberately, mimicking the action of prey that bass are targeting. During late spring, after spawning, bass are hungry and more likely to hit topwater lures with vigor.

Summer – Focus on Shade and Cooler Times

Summer can be challenging if you’re using topwater bait for catching bass, especially during the hottest part of the day. However, by focusing on shaded areas or fishing during the cooler parts of the day, like early morning and late evening, I can still have great success.

Bass tend to seek cover during the day to escape the heat, so targeting areas with overhanging trees, docks, or thick vegetation is key. Frogs and buzz baits work well in these conditions, creating enough disturbance to draw bass out of their hiding spots.

Fall – Cooling Waters and Consistent Strikes

In the fall, as the water cools, bass become more active and are more likely to strike topwater lures consistently. This is a time of transition for bass as they feed aggressively to prepare for the winter months. I find that using a variety of topwater lures, including poppers, walkers, and prop baits, can be very effective.

The cooling water temperatures make the bass more aggressive, and they are more likely to strike at surface lures throughout the day. Fall is also a great time to experiment with different retrieval speeds and patterns to see what triggers the most bites.

Choosing the Right Topwater Lures

Selecting the right topwater lure and mastering its technique is crucial for success. Different lures work best under different conditions, and knowing when and how to use each one can make all the difference in your fishing experience.

Poppers

Poppers are one of my go-to lures when fishing near shallow cover. Their unique design allows them to create a popping sound and splash as you jerk the rod, mimicking the movements of struggling prey. I find that varying the tempo of the pops can attract bass in different moods.

For instance, quick, successive pops can imitate a frantic baitfish, while slower, more deliberate pops suggest an easy meal. Poppers are especially effective around areas with overhanging trees, docks, or submerged structures where bass like to hide.

BuzzBaits

Buzzbaits are fantastic for covering water quickly, especially along shallow grass lines and around docks. These lures create a significant commotion on the surface, drawing bass out from cover to strike. I like to use buzz baits in the early morning or late evening when the water is calm.

The key is to reel them in steadily so that the blade keeps spinning and creating noise. Buzz baits are also effective after a rainstorm when the water is slightly murky, as the noise helps bass locate the lure.

Check our recommendations on Best Buzzbaits for Bass

Frogs

Frogs are my top choice when fishing around thick grass, lily pads, or matted vegetation. Their weed less design allows them to move through heavy cover without getting snagged.

When using frogs, I cast them into dense cover and work them slowly, with occasional pauses to mimic the natural movement of a frog. The strikes on frogs are often explosive, and it’s crucial to wait a moment before setting the hook to ensure the bass has fully taken the lure.

Check our recommendations on Best Frog Lures for Bass Fishing – Top 9 Picks

Walking Baits

Walking baits, like the Zara Spook, are ideal for open water or during the gizzard shad spawn. These lures move in a side-to-side motion called “walking the dog,” which is highly effective at triggering strikes from aggressive bass.

To master this technique, I use a series of short, rhythmic rod twitches while reeling in slack line. This creates a zigzag pattern on the surface that mimics the erratic movements of baitfish. Walking baits are particularly useful in clearer waters where bass rely more on sight to hunt.

Choosing the right topwater lure and using it effectively involves understanding the conditions and behavior of bass. Poppers work well near shallow cover with varied tempos, buzz baits excel in shallow grass and around docks with a steady retrieve, frogs are unbeatable in thick vegetation, and walking baits shine in open water and during specific baitfish spawns.

By mastering these lures and their techniques, you can significantly increase your chances of success in topwater bass fishing.

Check our recommendations on Best Topwater Lures for Bass Fishing – Top 5 Picks

FAQs

Can I use topwater Lures during the day?

Absolutely. While early morning and evening are prime times, midday can still be productive, especially on overcast days or in shaded areas. I have caught bass on topwater lures in the middle of the day by focusing on the right cover and adjusting my presentation.

Look for spots with overhanging trees, docks, or thick vegetation where bass might seek refuge from the sun. Using lures that create enough disturbance to draw bass out of their hiding spots can yield surprising results even during the brightest part of the day.

What weather conditions are best for topwater fishing?

Overcast days often extend the topwater bite throughout the day. The reduced light makes the bass feel more secure and willing to feed near the surface.

After summer thunderstorms, topwater lures become very effective as everything starts coming back out to feed. The rain and subsequent cloud cover cool the water and stir up the ecosystem, prompting baitfish and other prey to move around more, which attracts bass to the surface.

On windy days, choppy water requires more intricate pops to mimic the movement of prey, while smooth water calls for a quieter, more gentle presentation to avoid spooking the fish.

You might want to read this one: Best Time For Crappie Fishing – Time of Year & Day!