top water

Question
How cool does the water have to get before black bass quit hitting top water lurs, such as lunker lures.
I know it has to be in the uper 60's in the spring.
Dave

Answer
Dave,
Thanks for the question.

It is a good one, as I've never really found a definite temperature for many lures.  However, an old rule to follow on topwater is if it is warm enough for the "critters" (frogs, snakes, etc.), on which bass feed, to be swimming, then it is warm enough to use topwater.

These lures are usually thought of as more of a summertime lure, but in Bull Shoals, as the water starts cooling a bit in September things can get turned on.  Of course, that cooling still has the water in the upper 60's and 70's.

Believe it or not, one fishing trip, on which bass hit topwater, the air temperature was 32?  Not the temperature to get the "critters" out, but the water, or something just triggered the bass in a feed that they would hit anything.

Not sure if any of this helped answer your question, but hopefully added something.

You may also like throwing this out to my fellow Bassin' USA Pro Staff members on the boards at www.bassinusa.com.  We have an "Ask The Pro Staff" section, and usaully there are a few different answers.  That is, if we find time to get there.

Best of fishing,
Dan