Downsizing Walk The Dog For Browns?

[Derriick]

What's the best walk the dog bait under 4" for smallies? I have a 100 sammy and similar 4" spooks but I am wanting to try something smaller. Zara puppy? Zip n ziggy? 85 sammy? Color preference? Thanks guys

[A-Jay]

Check out the Duo Realis Pencil 85 ~

 

It's a super easy bait to work correctly and comes in several great patterns.

 

A-Jay

[Kevin22]

I'm having good luck with the cabelas dawg in the smallest size. 3.5" I think it is. I'm catching smallies, largemouth, and white bass on the white one. Just today I hit a pod of small whites and had a blast, the fish were all about 8-9" but still blew up on it. I even caught a small largemouth in the middle of the whites. If you have aggressive fish they most certainly catch fish. Not a bad price either, I paid $1.99 on sale but I think they retail for $3.99. 

[tytay89]

Clear blue xpod jr.

[Crestliner2008]

Is there a reason you want to downsize? A Sammy is a fine smallie bait. I have used the Zara Puppy with some success, but I always get the biggest crashes on the larger surface lures.

[Derriick]

Is there a reason you want to downsize? A Sammy is a fine smallie bait. I have used the Zara Puppy with some success, but I always get the biggest crashes on the larger surface lures.

Here lately I've been having them blow up on my sammy and launch it into the air so I was thinking a smaller bait would be easier for them to fit in their mouth. I'm still gonna use my bigger baits too, I just like to offer different sizes to see if there is any finicky fish I can coax into biting.

[Kevin22]

Try one of two things. Either add a feathered treble to the back, or put a red hook on the front hook. Or both if you want. It will give the fish something to key in on instead of just grabbing at the lure and tossing it in the air if they do not hit the hooks. You will be amazed, if you put a red hook in front 90% of your hook-ups will be to the front hook only, if you move it to the rear 90% of your hookups will be on the rear. It is like a target for the fish. 

[A-Jay]

Here lately I've been having them blow up on my sammy and launch it into the air so I was thinking a smaller bait would be easier for them to fit in their mouth. I'm still gonna use my bigger baits too, I just like to offer different sizes to see if there is any finicky fish I can coax into biting.

 

When the Bass are whacking at a top water bait but not to eating it, they are making a choice not to do so.  And it is a choice because if they wanted to eat it they certainly can and would.

 

Often times a weightless fluke worked quickly just under the surface through the area turns a few of those "Hit & Miss" into fish in the net.

 

A-Jay

[NEjitterbugger]

Check out the Duo Realis Pencil 85 ~

 

It's a super easy bait to work correctly and comes in several great patterns.

 

A-Jay

 

Those look really good, I'm going to have to give those a try someday...

[Kevin22]

What's the best walk the dog bait under 4" for smallies? I have a 100 sammy and similar 4" spooks but I am wanting to try something smaller. Zara puppy? Zip n ziggy? 85 sammy? Color preference? Thanks guys

 

 

Check your walmart. Mine has a bunch of puppies and spook jrs in the clearance for $1 each. Clear and bone only. 

[Gavin]

The Zip n' Ziggy is a great bait but the tinned stock hooks are junk. Replace them with some KVD short shanks...#6. The Sammy 85 was a disappointment...it sits too vertically, and its harder to walk. The Duo Reallis Pencil 85 looks interesting.

[JKarbo214]

I also highly recommend the DUO REALIS Pencil 85. It practically walks itself.  Great, sharp hooks and flat out catches fish.

[iabass8]

I generally don't downsize for smallmouth as far as topwater is concerned. A sammy is probably my best producing lure for them on the river. I did pick up a couple of the bone zara puppies, switched the hooks and had a hay day for a couple hours last weekend. the only problem was the strippers went after the smaller offering as well. they wouldn't touch the sammy though.

[Kevin22]

 the only problem was the strippers went after the smaller offering as well. they wouldn't touch the sammy though.

 

You have to pay them if you want them to touch your sammy. 

[Jay Ell Gee]

You have to pay them if you want them to touch your sammy.

Mr. Kevin, I like your style.

[Bluebasser86]

Super spook Jr or Sammy 85 are my favorites.

[Gavin]

It pays to carry a selection...I'll go with a Sammy 128 or a full sized spook on bigger rivers...Sammy 100, Gunfish 95, Norman Top Dollar, or a River2Sea Bubblewalker to start out on most flows...When I get a lot of misses I'll downsize to smaller walking baits...Zip n' Ziggy or a G-Splash....Walking a popper works better sometimes.

[flyhatch]

Spitn image is a good choice too.

[Driftb]

If the fish are on small bait, try a small lure.  When the smallies are on baby shad in the Delaware river, I use a spittin image or a Sebile Bonga Minnow.  Both of these lures have been putting the Sammy to shame.  Other times I like Bass pros Slim Dog.  I have caught doubles on the slim dog many times.

[NathanW]

Rapala Skitter Walk is the answer to your problem. Easy to cast and work on casting gear. No fairy wand required. The are just over 3".

 

I really dont like the smaller sized spooks. They dont cast well, and seem to have junk stock hardware. I do have a spook tied on right now so nothing againts those guys.

[roadwarrior]

Is there a reason you want to downsize? A Sammy is a fine smallie bait. I have used the Zara Puppy with some success, but I always get the biggest crashes on the larger surface lures.

 

The answer to your question is the Puppy, but why target small fish?

[OkobojiEagle]

The answer to your question is the Puppy, but why target small fish?

 

 

Because sometimes that is all there is...

 

I learn more catching small fish than catching no fish.  Don't dupe yourself into believing a 3lb smallie won't eat a Zara Puppy.

 

oe

[moguy1973]

I just bought a Damiki Dolphin as I have heard good things about them.  They are 3 1/2" long and weigh 2/5oz.  Supposedly really easy to walk.  Trying it out in a few weeks on some stream smallies.

 

I usually use a KVD Sexy Dawg Jr. or a Sammy100.

[J Francho]

A Sammy 100 is what I downsize to when I think the smallies want something smaller. Also take a look the Spit'n Image.  It's short in length, but still has a large profile.  Just keep in mind, length is more associated with cadence than actual profile, when it comes to spook baits.  In a general sense, the shorter the bait, the faster you can walk them.

[Crestliner2008]

A Sammy 100 is what I downsize to when I think the smallies want something smaller. Also take a look the Spit'n Image.  It's short in length, but still has a large profile.  Just keep in mind, length is more associated with cadence than actual profile, when it comes to spook baits.  In a general sense, the shorter the bait, the faster you can walk them.

Very good point on the Spitn`Image. Love that bait. I have several and the small popper version is really something special. You can easily walk the dog with it, or pop it in place. Very versatile and productive top water choice.