Wipers

[TubeDude]

Is it better to fish for them this time of year in the AM or PM?

There is no hard and fast rule.  It can vary from one day to the next...but often there is a discernible pattern.  So you have to watch the reports...but be prepared for any changes.  A lot of times it is more of an evening or early morning thing...with lower light levels and cooler water.  But I have seen wide open boils in the middle of the day.

The best time to go fishing is whenever you can.  And if you are after wipers, watch the terns and gulls.  If they are flying over an area...or diving on splashes...chances are there are some wipers dining on shad.  Goose your big motor and get there as fast as possible...but slow down and ease in when you get close.  Can't believe all the times some doofus will run a boat right in the middle of a boil you are fishing and put them down.

Another thing is lure choice.  Noisy prop type topwater shad lures can work well.  But almost anything roughly the size, shape and/or color of a shad will get a competitive smack.  And sometimes fishing a weighted jig or diving crankbait below the topwater action will pick up some fish that are below...mopping up the wounded and escapee shad.  Fluttering spoons can work great...either burned across the top or allowed to flutter down below the action.