I love topwater fishing, but I have very little patience with it.  I have always been told if they aren't hitting on top within a few casts move on.  So I do.  My question is how long to you all stick with topwater before you move on to someting else?

I generally keep three rods with topwater tied on...Pop R, Jitterbug, and a buzzbait.

If you're not seeing bass come up to the surface, don't waste too much time when they might be nailing something deeper in the water column.  

If I'm throwing a buzzbait and not getting bit, I might switch to a spinnerbait and fish the same areas.

Walking bait/ popper - - - soft or hard jerkbait, or crank

If I'm seeing fish come up and I'm fairly certain they're bass I throw different stuff until I figure out what action they want.  Popping, walking, waking, etc.  Then work on size and color.  

Nothing better than a hot top water bite, except maybe having your slow rolled spinnerbait get crushed at night.  Something about seeing all the action or not being able to see any of it.

Oh, and frogs/toads in pads and mats

edit: I fish jitterbugs at night and it catches.  Why no walking baits tied on?

Agreed ^^  

When I fish topwater it's mostly in around lily pads so I will often stick with it for longer, however. I get the sense if they're there, they're going to eat my hopping frog. If it doesn't get hit...they're not there and it's not the lures fault.

I also have a rod always rigged with a zoom horny toad that I work the slop with.  While I do get drilled occasionally on the slop I get most of my strikes on it slowly sinking in the holes or just of the edge of the nasty stuff..

I have a couple spooks I will throw, but never gotten a strike on em.

Topwater is my favorite by far.  I am just getting frustrated because I have not had a hot topwater bite in a couple seasons..

I will be on the water before sun up tomorrow and likely till after its down...I am hoping tomorrow is the day!  If not I will slay more than my fair share on the trusty Brush Hog...