It’s seasonal for me more the bright sun or cloudy conditions.

Early summer transition a Zip ‘n Ziggy smaller size dog walking top water lures gets the call. Summer wooden Sammy anytime. Shad spawn a fast Spash-It. 
Buzzer any time feel like using it.

Tom

 

It depends more on the time of year and water temp. Around here in the winter they ain't gonna bite it no matter how sunny it is. 

This time of year with the fall transition I'd give it a try and keep one on the deck if I see them chasing bait.

On 9/16/2024 at 10:08 PM, Catt said:

On a sunny day if I have 4-6" of water above thick "grass" I gonna be throwing a big Zara Spook. 

Catt, I've had good luck on bright sunny days casting shallow around vegetation. The spook works. I like a clear or bone color.

I generally have a Skitter Prop tied on and ready to throw. My topwater game is not with big baits. I sort of don’t know what I’m going with them and uncomfortable with the thought of trying them. I’m not throwing Ultra Lite sizes. It’s just a phobia I have. And my lack of trying bigger baits probably has cost me fish. But I have confidence in the sizes I’m throwing. 

Roll the clock back 25 to 30 years when our local lakes had giant bass populations I used 8” top water lures wooden  trout Lunker Punker and Pupfish using my 8’ swimbait tackle.

Sold all my big swimbait lures and tackle bout 4 years ago along with my boat.

The 8”  trout Lunker Punker and Pupfish are rare today and sell used between $300-$700. 
Tom