Usually take quite a few top waters whenever I go. Heading in to Knife this year and wondered if it will be worthwhile to take any this early? Too early for any top water bite?

I would take a few topwater lures. In the first week of June when I go the spawn is usually over on Ensign one lake south of Knife. I would expect they will be on their beds in the 3rd week of May. I’ve seen video proof the fish gets caught on its bed, then released, they go right back to their bed. It will be an angry explosive strike and be ready to set the hook with any twitch or tick you feel. I would suggest you take some PopR, Whopper Ploppers, and if you can see fish but they won’t move off their beds, toss a crawfish rubber lure pattern with a weighted hook right in the middle of their bed. As I read the rules you can fish for them in the northeast zone starting May 13th, and could keep 6 of them if you want. Personally I release all Bass back.

In my opinion that date would be pushing it, especially on Knife, to get topwater action but you never know. I am in the "way too much tackle" club so I would probably throw a couple in just in case. I have never caught anything on topwater until around memorial day. However, if you find a nice shallow back bay of knife that has warmed up more than the rest of the lake you could find bass roaming the shallows getting ready to build nests and spawn and willing to hit topwater.

It all depends on the water temps where you are fishing. I have caught them that early before up there on topwater. If it is a late Spring, concentrate on areas that have warm water flowing in from a shallow lake or river. I would take a couple no matter what and try them.

I have caught topwater bass on Knife in the first week of June so it’s definitely possible you could get into them.

Small shallow bays will warm up fastest.

Good luck!!!!

You all are pretty much thinking what I was thinking. Guess I'll just put a couple whopper ploppers in the bottom of my bag just in case.

Hammertime: "I have caught topwater bass on Knife in the first week of June so it’s definitely possible...
"

Those few weeks make a world of difference. But I'd still bring two floaters. And I'm not a surface bait bass guy.

NEVER too early for top water smally fishing , done many openers in the SAK and we never had any issues catching smally's that early. target any down trees/log piles , stelth/quietness is a must ///// rock piles that have a little depth to them always good for crankbaits , at this time of the year , many smallies will attack to kill not necessarily to feed , so sometimes many casting may need to be done before you piss 1 or more of them off ;)
pic of my top 2 lures in the Woody shallows. 2" fat rap crawdad A#1 !!!!

SMB hit topwater at 55 degrees.

LMB hit topwater at 62 degrees.

Of course, there are exceptions.

missmolly: "SMB hit topwater at 55 degrees.


LMB hit topwater at 62 degrees.


Of course, there are exceptions. "

Thanks! Good info to know