Topwater Fishing Mistakes (When and When NOT to Throw It)
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Artifical Lure Tips
Most anglers think topwater is all about the time of day.
Early morning. Late evening. Low light.
That’s when you’re “supposed” to throw it.
But that’s not actually what determines whether it works.
And when you get that part wrong…
This is what it looks like:
Fish showing interest… maybe even tracking it…
But not fully committing.
So what’s really going on here?
And how do you know when topwater is actually the right call… and when it’s not?
Watch below to see what actually tells you when to throw it (and when to put it down)
Cover both sides of the bite with the Topwater Mastery Bundle here.
Featured Gear:
- Lure: Moonwalker
Key Takeaways:
- Topwater is based on fish behavior, not time of day
- Fish need a reason to look up to feed
- Surface bait activity is a major trigger
- Shallow water increases topwater effectiveness
- Aggressive fish will travel further to strike
- No surface activity = better to go subsurface
Final Thoughts
This is where a lot of anglers get tripped up.
They treat topwater like a “window”…
instead of a signal.
But the fish will tell you everything you need to know.
If they’re feeding on the surface, topwater can be one of the most effective lures you throw all day.
If they’re not…
it doesn’t matter what time it is.
Because at that point, it’s not about working the lure better…
it’s about recognizing you’re in the wrong part of the water column.
And making the switch before you waste the opportunity.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
The 2 core benefits we promise to Insider Club members is to be able to find and catch fish easier than ever before while saving money on fishing equipment.
So I am including links to the quickest ways to achieve each:
1) Finding Fish System
2) Insider Club’s Group Discounts
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
thanks
Great info and good job, Pat
I concur that topwater is hard to beat for pure excitement!. But Pat misses the number ONE reason fish fish hit better during low light/overcast conditions (especially in very shallow water); predator birds can’t see them very well. Bald Eagles and Osprey always figure into a fish’s feeding considerations. Most of us go “off our feed” when there’s an armed burglar in the house.
I agree, and Dolphin in the area will shut down the Bite
Great info. I always have a top water, usually a popper, on one rod when I start out in the morning. Nothing better than seeing a wake following, hitting, and (hopefully) getting hooked up
It’s the best! Appreciate you watching and the feedback!
Thanks Pat,good video, I always use top water in low light conditions, makes me want to pay attention more
Topwater might not catch the most fish in any given situation but it is the most exciting way!
Thanks for watching!
Nice points Pat. Definitely not on flat calm days. Love a big hit on top water plug.
I’ve caught some really big fish on slick calm days with topwater. That’s because the fish were feeding on top, even without a ripple on the water. Remember, it’s about fish behavior and not necessarily weather conditions.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks Pat appreciate the update
Thanks for watching!
I also like to throw topwater in cloudy conditions and especially before a storm. It seems like the fish get active when the barometer drops.
Yes, usually when the barometric pressure drops the fish will start feeding aggressively. This is when the topwater can work it’s best!
You nailed it pat but I actually believe that every lure or even bait persay has its own situations and conditions on when to use them and when not to use them and because fishing conditions are consistently changing its imperative to be able to recognize what lure or bait is best for any given situation and like I said before thinking like a fish also helps big time because different fish react differently to different lures like redfish they want a more slower cadence while retrieving topwaters as opposed to both snook and seatrout that like a more erratic faster retrieve but it also all comes down to time spent on the water because like the old saying goes and has always held true practice makes perfect and the more time spent on the water the more an angler learns and finds out more on what works and what doesn’t thanks for the valuable and helpful insight pat and all you do😉🤔👍
I think you’re right about every lure having their place. Some have a wider range than others but there are some that have a small window but when you’re there, nothing else can beat it!
What about windy days? If some of the conditions you mention are positive, does the wind negate them? Does the top water lure get lost in the wind caused surface commotion?
A separate wind question. If there’s a long oyster bed running perpendicular to the wind, are the fish usually upwind or downwind of the bed. Assuming that depth is the same on both sides of the bed?
I always enjoy your videos. Thanks
It depends on the wave action. I’m not throwing a top water in an area with white caps but even a fare amount of wind is still good. As long as the fish are feeding on the top.
If you have a few days of strong wind coming out of the same direction, often the fish will be on the leeward side of the island. The reason is because the bait will be there trying to get out of the wind.
Appreciate you watching the videos and glad they’re helping!