Prop Baits

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Found a Cordell Crazy Shad the other day.  I've never fished a lure like this.  I'm assuming its just cast, retrieve, props create wake, and the fish slams it but I was wondering if anybody has any tips on how to fish these?

[ripinit]

I know a guy that only fishes those crazy shads, year round, and he's very good. He just makes short pulls, that really churns the water, with short pauses. My best techniques is the opposite. slow with long pauses.

[Jrob78]

Fish it almost like you would a popper.  Pull it hard enough that the blades spin and it moves some water.  Pull, pull, pull, pause....etc.  Use the rod to move the bait, not the reel.  It's not really a cast and reel bait, although it might get bit that way occasionally.

[papajoe222]

I discovered this bait last season. I picked it up at a garage sale, switched out the hooks and started using it.  I fished it the same way I normally fish a Torpedo or a DevilsHorse. Short pops of the rod tip with pauses inbetween. I've never fished a prop bait like a buzzbait, but that's not to say that style retrieve wouldn't work.  It took me a couple of weeks to find these lures online, but when I did, I picked up a couple.  Kind of light for baitcasting gear, but if you're a spinning guy they're an awesome choice.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Thanks for the input guys.  Glad I asked cuz I probably wouldn't have thought to fish it that way.  And yeah, it does seem kind of light for baitcasting gear but my topwater rod is a spinning rod so its all good.  Now if the topwater bite will pick up around here I'll be in business.

[Bluebasser86]

Academy has an H2O bait that looks a lot like the LC Kelly J prop bait that's plenty heavy for casting gear and mimics a bluegill very well with it's short, fat body. I believe they're coming out with one similar to a Devil's Horse with 2 props also. 

[ccummins]

I got one new at BPS because I really like my Devil's Horses and treasure the only Luhr Jensen Wooodchopper that I have.  On the packaging it recommends a fast retrieve unlike what you do with a Devil's Horse.....   Guess you just got to experiment and see what works for the fish in your area.

[bartdude186]

Academy has an H2O bait that looks a lot like the LC Kelly J prop bait that's plenty heavy for casting gear and mimics a bluegill very well with it's short, fat body. I believe they're coming out with one similar to a Devil's Horse with 2 props also. 

 My favorite prop bait, its called a Slush Daddy. 

[bigbill]

With all my prop lures either its a slow reel just days enough to churn the prop or a 1 rip, 2 rip, 3 rip n pause.

[STPC]

Papajoe has got it right.  I like to fish it just like a Devil's Horse.  I'll cast it along grass edges and let it sit a few seconds, then slightly twitch by moving the rod tip, let it sit, twitch a little harder, sit.....repeat until it gets nailed.  Even if the bass aren't biting you can always get something else to hit it (bream, pickerel, etc.)