Hello northern anglers. 

just wondering at what temperatures (water/air) does the topwater bite starts for you?? up here in my area water still pretty cold so I'm struggling to catch them on any form... 

 

Also in general?? what is the earliest technic or lures you use (for top water)?? 

 

Topwater fishing is traditionally a summer pattern for me.  I would say after the spawn and when the fish start to set up in their summer haunts.  We're not even remotely close to that point right now.  As for temperatures, maybe 70 degree surface temps or so.

^ Yep - Buzzbaits, WPs, Spooks - more a summer thing than this early up here.

 

Course MI might be different than MN - check with 12poundbass for your part of the country.

I caught on TW as early as mid April. They were biting a jerk bait as soon as the bait hit the water, so I tied on a Sammy. It's something I'd try every time and definitely a weird thing. 

I'm not from the north, but start when the water starts warming. Here that means high 50s. But it might mean low 50s there. If Big Mama's shallow she'll react to a buzzbait or a Whopper Plopper. Can't help herself.

Thanks!!! 

Top water has always been an area that I have neglected over the years and mainly limited to using frogs on the dead of the summer. I would like for this year to gain confidence on these technics. 

You can catch some with water as cold as mid 40s, but mid 50s is where I start trying on purpose. 

50-55 on Champlain 

I'd say around me it starts getting consistent when water temps get mid 50s range ...not saying you can't catch them.before that but somewhere between 54-57 it gets more predictable. My 2 best top waters regardless of season are hands down a black buzz bait and 1\4oz popper. In the fall I can usually get fish to take top water down into high 40s temps.

Air temps causing some mist and an early sun can get me thinking of topwater as early as May when water is probably in the 60s in my river.

Sammy jr if its calm and the 75 wplopper if there is chop.

 

7 hours ago, the reel ess said:

But it might mean low 50s there.

 

6 hours ago, Deleted account said:

You can catch some with water as cold as mid 40s, but mid 50s is where I start trying on purpose. 

 

25 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

I'd say around me it starts getting consistent when water temps get mid 50s range

Just watched a vid from a local guy who guides...he fished for crappies on Tonka this past weekend...water temps were mid 40s.

5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

water temps were mid 40s

I observed that on a small lake about an hour north of Tonka just over a week ago. It was 44 on the main lake and 50 in the shallow backwater areas. I think it should start to approach 50 later this week.

5 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I observed that on a small lake about an hour north of Tonka just over a week ago. It was 44 on the main lake and 50 in the shallow backwater areas. I think it should start to approach 50 later this week.

Matt was saying in his vid that guys up north told him they might still be ice fishing on opener...

50 seems like the magic number. But mid-high 50's is when you can expect to see more consistent action.