What bait should I use in 80-degree weather during sunrise for bass?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Crack of dawn, 80-degree water, and a rising sun is a recipe for a feeding window that can be hot to the touch if you pick the right bait. Here’s a practical, bass‑friendly plan for a sunrise session that’ll have you fishing smarter, not harder.

- **Primary gameplan: Topwater at first light** 🐟🌅
  - Start with a *topwater lure* that makes noise and commotion. In warm mornings, bass often feed aggressively right as the light hits the water, and surface lures can elicit explosive hits. Try a **poppers** or a **walking-the-dog** style bait. If you’re near weedlines or pads, a *weedless topwater frog* can sling short, loud misses right up against cover.
  - Quick link for ideas: [What TOPWATER Lure Is BEST For Bass Fishing?? (Topwater MASTERCLASS!!)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaJbhNcd2TI)
  - If you want a ready-to-rig option from the shop, consider a topwater lure kit like [Whopper Plopper Lure Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBNRQ6K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1). It covers walking/prop-style actions that shine in warm, calm mornings.
  - Pro tip: make a few long casts to open water, then work the edge of any cover with a “pop, pause, walk” cadence. Emphasize the pause after the pop or short walk to let the bass commit.

- **If topwater slows, switch to a shallow subsurface option** 🔄
  - A **shallow squarebill crankbait** or a light **spinnerbait** can pull strikes along weedlines, creek channels, and sunlit edges where sun has warmed the water. These keep you in the strike zone as the sun climbs and surface action fades.
  - A solid backup is a **soft plastic swimbait** on a light jig or weightless rig pulled along cover where you saw fish earlier.

- **Tactical setup (quick-start kit):**
  - **Topwater kit:** [Topwater Lure Kit for Bass](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091GDNWZM?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - **Shallow crank/swim/soft**: [Aorace 43pcs Bass Fishing Tackle Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0992HKNCW?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - Optional clutter-busting cover lure: [OJYDOIIIY Bass Fishing Lures Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBP75WJS?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

- **Short, practical tip (technique):** Keep your retrieves brisk at first light to match the sun-warmed surface; after the first 10–15 minutes, slow down and mix in pauses to draw sluggish fish from their cover. If you’re not getting hits after 5–6 casts, switch to the secondary lure and vary your speed in 1–2 foot increments.

- **Weather note (late-summer context):** In 80-degree mornings, surface temperatures rise quickly as the sun climbs. The bite often comes in a sharp, short window right at sunrise; don’t overcoach the first 30 minutes—let the lures work; then be ready to move and adapt as shade lines and weed edges heat up. A light breeze can improve topwater action by keeping water surface scummy and exciting the strike zone.

- **Weather-friendly tip:** If a light wind is present, lean into a walking topwater or a loud popper to maximize commotion across the edge lines. If it’s glass calm, keep the topwater closer to cover and be ready to swap to subsurface baits as the sun climbs.

Bottom line: start with surface action to capitalize on that sunrise window, then blend in a shallow subsurface option as the day warms. With the right cadence and a couple of solid lures in your box, you’ll turn that 80-degree morning into a bang-up bass session. Stay steady, stay patient, and smile—the bite can be epic at dawn. 🎣🐟🌅

"Let’s get you on them!"

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