Recently the weather has been turning colder and windier at around 55-60 F and winds around 10-20 mph. I have been trying to use topwater baits such as spooks, plugs and whopper ploppers but they seem to not be working. Is there a general rule of thumb that topwater baits tend to work less effectively in such water where its cold and choppy? Or are there techniques to get through to bass with topwater even in these conditions?

It will be tougher in those conditions for sure.

When the chop gets too much to throw a topwater, I turn to a jerk bait and/or hit the windy shoreline win a spinnerbait/chatterbait.

 

Many times running the windblown shorelines with a spinnerbait or chatterbait will save days that have been lost by not being able to fish topwater or slow moving baits because of said wind.

A bit of chop can crank up the topwater bite but the fish have to be able to find the bait.  Loud clacker buzzbaits, big noisy prop baits, or walking baits with big rattles that move a lot of water are the go-to.  Regarding water temperature, 50 degrees is the general cutoff for too cold for topwater.

I agree with Jake on the jerkbait, blade, or rattletrap for these conditions, but hatever you throw, the fish have to be able to find the lure in the choppy water.

A larger noisier bait will work in choppier water, specially in the fall and around bait, but I like calm to light chop best for topwater.

Spinnerbait!

Tom

Under those conditions... buzzbait ?

furbit popper worked vigorously (jerk hard) if it goes under so much the better - I know it is spinner bait conditions but one big hit on top is worth a dozen of the others ( for myself) I tend to catch larger fish with this technique - started out using it (technique) back in the late 50's and 60's with a big creek chub plunker.

A Pop R has worked for me in choppy water, but the bass were really chasing bait. You'll need to make more commotion. If you fish on the side where the wind is blowing it can be good. Spinnerbaits and lipless cranks can be good there too.

Windy cool weather is prime time for the whopper plopper.

most of my better whopper plopper fish have come from rough water.

The jackal pompadour (sp) and white chatterbait are my go-to's in those conditions

Making a buzzbait break through waves could get your arm broken!