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Muskie Fishing -> General Discussion -> When to fish topwaters
 
Message Subject: When to fish topwaters
JoeTC
Posted 7/24/2007 11:01 AM (#266791)
Subject: When to fish topwaters




Posts: 31


I've always heard to fish topwaters only early and late in the day, but I'm sure this isn't always the case. What situations do you through topwaters and what colors do you throw for each situation? I had a guy at Thorne Brothers once who told me I was wasting my time if I bought a topwater that wasn't black. Black might be the best option for low light but what about during the day?

Joe
Targa01
Posted 7/24/2007 12:16 PM (#266806 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 742


Location: Grand Rapids MN
I wouldn't say you are wasting your time if it wasn't black. Black is a great t.w. color but I think it's more the action, sound, speed, etc that top water sometimes gets the nod for turning fish on. I once heard that the baits must have orange on the belly also and I actually had a jackpot that was orange bellied that out produced 2 other colored jackpots. Go figure. I would focus on lure type than color. It will cast a silohette no matter what. Also there are other visual factors that fish hone in on: air bubbles from the bait, the wave (V-pattern) the bait makes, etc. I think some fish are off target sometimes because they are shooting at the bubbles or waves made.

Just a thought.
MuskyStalker
Posted 7/24/2007 12:58 PM (#266821 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 317


My favorite Weagle is white.
ZO 5
Posted 7/24/2007 12:58 PM (#266822 - in reply to #266806)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 59


Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin
You can never go wrong with black anywhere you are and anytime of the day. I say you just find a topwater you have confidence in and throw it...good luck
bulldawger
Posted 7/24/2007 1:31 PM (#266830 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters


this is sort of like the when do you start night fishing...not to be too sarcastic but I don't know if there necessarily a bad time to throw topwaters...big fish will eat them at high noon and midnite....
let the fish tell you when they want them...not some shmuck on the internet that wears a visor!
BNelson
Posted 7/24/2007 1:38 PM (#266832 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Location: Contrarian Island
Hey now what is wrong with guys who wear visors???
some of the best fishermen I know wear visors!!!!

Edited by MSKY HNR 7/24/2007 1:39 PM
Slamr
Posted 7/24/2007 1:39 PM (#266833 - in reply to #266832)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 7113


Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs
Nothing in my opinion.


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THA4
Posted 7/24/2007 1:40 PM (#266834 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 468


Location: Not where I wanna be!
hey.....i like visors.....
BNelson
Posted 7/24/2007 1:40 PM (#266836 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Location: Contrarian Island
good answer Mr Golden, cuz I've seen some pics with you sportin a VISOR!!!! beat me to it

Edited by MSKY HNR 7/24/2007 1:42 PM
Sawbones
Posted 7/24/2007 2:07 PM (#266845 - in reply to #266832)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters




Posts: 95


Location: LOTW every chance I get
Nothin wrong with guys who wear visors, but don't wear em if you are lacking "emergent cover" on top. Makes for a pretty goofy sunburn. Ask me how I know..
Dave
bfunk73183
Posted 7/24/2007 9:51 PM (#266949 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters




Posts: 315


boy the subject of topwaters dwindled away
esox50
Posted 7/24/2007 11:32 PM (#266964 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 2024


I think a lot has to do with the body of water (clarity, prevailing weather, fish location, etc.). That said, early morning and late evening are good times anywhere to throw topwater. However, I spent the last week on LOTW and the fish didn't care if you threw topwater at 5:30 AM, 12:00 PM, or 10:00 PM. We had action all day on topwater, colors ranging from black to chart/black dot.

This particular fish hit at 10:30 AM one morning on a (see picture) absolutely glass calm morning and blue bird skies. Water was a little dingy and it was relating to a SMALL weedbed (one cast length long by 1/4 cast length wide) adjacent to a small boulder field.

Bottom line, I'd try and let the fish dictate when you throw topwater. If the fish are clearly on a topwater bite period, throw it all day. If the fish are active throw it all day.


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MuskieMedic
Posted 7/25/2007 4:11 AM (#266967 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 2091


Location: Stevens Point, WI
Best time to fish topwater is 24/7!
dogboy
Posted 7/25/2007 11:15 AM (#267026 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 723


ice-out all the way till ice-up! seen some crazy stuff in the spring and fall, not to mention all summer long.
marine_1
Posted 7/25/2007 11:24 AM (#267028 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 699


Location: Hugo, MN
JoeTC - 7/24/2007 7:01 PM

I've always heard to fish topwaters only early and late in the day, but I'm sure this isn't always the case. What situations do you through topwaters and what colors do you throw for each situation? I had a guy at Thorne Brothers once who told me I was wasting my time if I bought a topwater that wasn't black. Black might be the best option for low light but what about during the day?

Joe


I think what the guy was getting at is that for the most part if you consider a topwater is on the surface then what a fish sees is mostly a shadow because they are looking up at it and it is between the fish and the sun.
guest
Posted 8/2/2007 1:11 AM (#268227 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters


esox50,
Nice fish! what did she eat if you don't mind me asking?
esox50
Posted 8/2/2007 9:38 AM (#268267 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 2024


Guest,

She ate Jake Schinderle's "Hoodini." He sells them here on M1st and you can also find them on www.muskytackleonline.com.


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Bytor
Posted 8/2/2007 9:39 AM (#268268 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters





Location: The Yahara Chain
I like top water during the day whenever it is cloudy and when it is windy. Put both of those conditions together and I'll chuck it all day. Some lakes have fish that go on them hard and some lakes it doesn't work as well. Get to know your body of water, the fish will tell you what they like. Orange is a great color, especially if the sun is out. When it is sunny I like bright colors up top....chart works well, also. On those flat calm blue bird type days a walk the dog bait can be your best option.

I am not saying that visors are gay...BUT there sure are a lot of them on the LPGA.

Let's keep it on topic....top waters rule....visors not so much.

Edited by Bytor 8/2/2007 9:41 AM
BNelson
Posted 8/2/2007 9:44 AM (#268269 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Location: Contrarian Island
Slamr I think Bytor is callin you either gay or a girl??

This has been a terribly "off" year for topwaters..anyone else notice that?

Bytor
Posted 8/2/2007 9:50 AM (#268271 - in reply to #268269)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Location: The Yahara Chain
MSKY HNR - 8/2/2007 9:44 AM

Slamr I think Bytor is callin you either gay or a girl??

This has been a terribly "off" year for topwaters..anyone else notice that?



Put them both together, it's not that difficult.

It's hard to catch 'em on topwater when a double 10 is at the end of your rod all day long.
BNelson
Posted 8/2/2007 9:57 AM (#268273 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Location: Contrarian Island
Huh, weird? ...I could have sworn all those pacemakers, choppers, rumblers, jackpots, fishsticks, and weagles I've had in the water all year weren't double 10s...
been an off year for topwaters for me and my fishing partners despite boating fish to 45" on them...

Edited by MSKY HNR 8/2/2007 9:58 AM
Bytor
Posted 8/2/2007 10:03 AM (#268274 - in reply to #268273)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Location: The Yahara Chain
Brad I am not referring to you specifically....just the double 10 explosion in general. With the amount of time that EVERYBODY is throwing the big buck tails, other baits are not seeing as much water time.
BNelson
Posted 8/2/2007 10:05 AM (#268276 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Location: Contrarian Island
maybe so, but even when it felt perfect for topwater they didn't even get a sniff..in Madison we had a great topwater bite last year...same time this year, not much at all...same goes for most of the lakes I've fished...just seems when it has felt perfect for topwater they aren't too interested in them this year...was just looking to see if others have had the same experiences...
Reef Hawg
Posted 8/2/2007 1:42 PM (#268297 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters




Posts: 3518


Location: north central wisconsin
BN, definately 'off'. Though fish to the magic size came on top in May of this year, it died right off after that. Almost invariably we'd toss top during primetimes(in addition to other times just because we love the top..), and invariably if we'd get bit, we'd get bit when switching back to something else(typically hair this season). Again, a couple big ones have been caught on top this year so we have to keep em honest, but overall it has been slow. Talked to my buddy 'Scales'(Chuck Schauer) who echoed the same thing. He popped a 50 a week or so ago on top, but overall it has been less than productive this season for him. Looking at results overall though, I'd guess we better keep on throwing it, as I'm sure we'd miss an opportunity or two at a big one. Should kick in at some point once this cool down hits I'd think. Are we going to get a cool down????..................?

Edited by Reef Hawg 8/2/2007 1:44 PM
Top H2O
Posted 8/2/2007 2:20 PM (#268302 - in reply to #268297)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters




Posts: 4080


Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion

Esox50,

Very nice fish....Indeed.

I fish topwater about 50% of the time that I'm on the water, so in a long day( 14hrs.) I'll throw a Weagle, Pacemaker, or a globe about 7-8 hrs of the day and will get hits at any hr of the day...... Love those top water explosions.

Jerome
musky_slayer
Posted 8/4/2007 4:06 PM (#268628 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: RE: When to fish topwaters


great fish, congrats, head looks huge. Is that a rubberband around the body holding the front hook? I've thought trying that as well, not sure if it would help or hurt hooking percentgae. I'd think they would get hooked quicker.
esox50
Posted 8/5/2007 1:51 AM (#268668 - in reply to #266791)
Subject: Re: When to fish topwaters





Posts: 2024


Slayer,

That's just the line wrapped around the bait. Putting a rubber band around the front hook might give the fish more leverage if the rubber band doesn't break (free swinging hook = less leverage), but I can't say for sure as I've never tried it.
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