When do surface/topwater lures stop working?

[senkosam]

I've always wondered what water temperature surface lures are ineffective. I would think that 60 degrees is the lowest. All of the lures I've cast this year were subsurface in water 3'-8' deep. Who doesn't get a blast watching a fish blast a popper, floating worm or Zara Spook? But I choose to go for numbers and don't get too many surface strikes once the sun gets too high (the exception being cloudy days, especially on or around the spawn.)

 

[DaleH]

I fish 99% in saltwater, but I find it once the sun is coming up high, I no longer get any action from surface lures.

 

[MrGiggles]

I think you're pretty close, once water temps start to drop below 60, bait is moving out of shallow water and predators will follow.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

I'm never much for "rules". but at water temps of 60 degrees usually there are better producing techniques. At least it is here for smallies. The last time my son and I were out, water temps were 61 and overcast. He did get a couple on top water, but natural colored spinnerbaits were the ticket. They were shallow in 1-3' of water.

Went out last Saturday on solo trip to test the changes on made on the jet, but fished for about 2 hours. Caught ten smallies, four of which were 3lbers. Sunny, calm day, water temp 57 degrees. They were still hitting the spinnerbait in shallow water.

 

[cyclops2]

Smallmouths are a school fish. They eat a place clean . Then move to the next stop.

 

[senkosam]

Haven't fished for smallie in a local small river for decades. Almost forgot how powerful they are when they fight against the current.

 

[LDUBS]

Caught a small mouth this week trolling a spoon. Dragged the down rigger weight by mistake over the bottom off a point about 19' deep. When we cleared the point I thought, hmmm, the one rod is acting kind of wierd. Only thing we caught. Wasn't much size.