I was fishing a cove on Big Lake last week and there were was an abnormally high amount of mullet busting and jumping for this time of year. The water temp was in the mid to high 50's so I hadn't setup a rod for topwater but rigged one when the bait remained agitated. Ended up throwing 3 different topwaters, small to extra large with a variety of presentations. No bites or blow ups. Water was stained but clear enough to see a foot or so but the fog was thick and there wasn't much sunlight. Caught a red when I switched to a 3" swim shad and the guy with me landed on a broke back corky. Action picked up when we got to the end of the cove. They were hitting the bait about 15 yards off the bank but they appeared to be following it for a while and would hit it on the fall in about 18" to 2 feet of water. Put on the smaller suspending kick a mullet and it was church. They were eating but not really attacking the bait hard like they do when they feeding heavily. Finished out our limit in 30 min. There were redfish swirling in the middle of the cove but they weren't hitting anything. It almost seemed like they were trying to push the bait to the guys in the corner but I've never seen them feed like that. They were more than likely just swimming in a big circle and and stopped to feed once they had cornered enough bait.
Redfish are weird about hitting topwater though. I've never caught any trout on topwater in the winter but would assume they would be more inclined to hit a top than a red this time of year. Especially a big one. I will tie on a plug when its cold if there are indications they are feeding on top. I would have more faith in a Skitter Walker than anything because it rides the lowest in the water. Suspending baits are working the best for me right now. The fish I have caught lately have all been sluggish for the most part. I think I will start throwing topwater more when I catch a fish that doesn't fight like an old man I just woke up.
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