Catching bass on topwater lures can be exciting as it is effective this time of year. In fact, good surface action will usually continue until the first cold snap of fall begins to cool down the water temperatures somewhat. And with an endless variety of surface lures available, topwater fishing is a versatile strategy that can catch fish morning, evening, midday and after dark. If your idea of perfect conditions for topwater fishing is a dead-calm day with the lake surface as smooth as glass, you might want to rethink that. Bass tend to be a little spookier on a flat lake, making it extra tough to get close to them, especially on a bright day. A ripple or a slight chop on the water makes bass feel more comfortable in shallow water where it is also easier to tempt them with a surface bait. Breezy days will blow plankton, insects and other tiny items of food toward the windward shore of the lake.