Prop Baits?

[BassAddict1911]

Figuring on giving these suckers a try ... and advice on when / where / how to fish them? Much appreciated fellas! 

[CJV]

Can you be a little more specific as to what prop baits you want to try? Spybaits, topwaters?

[CJV]

Can you be a little more specific as to what prop baits you want to try? Spybaits, topwaters?

[bigfishbk86]

From what i've found, either they are THE bait to be using, or there are better topwater options.  If you have clear water, fairly calm conditions, and spawing bluegill, then you have the right conditions for a propbait.  Spawning bluegill being the biggest component.  My best bait/color has been a lucky craft KJ in yellow.

[BassAddict1911]

Can you be a little more specific as to what prop baits you want to try? Spybaits, topwaters?

topwater was what I had in mind ...

[Raul]

The only place where I wouldn't try a propbait is where there's no open water for it ( ok, I'm from the South so excuse me but we have water in liquid for year round ), when, anytime, I prefer propbaits to poppers. as for how, it's a matter of trying different retrieves.

[BassAddict1911]

oh ok, so how fast do you need to retrieve to keep the prop spinning?

[STPC]

oh ok, so how fast do you need to retrieve to keep the prop spinning?

 

Oh no no no no no!  The best method is to simply cast out, let it sit a few seconds, then give it a small twitch (maybe 6").  Let it sit again.....repeat.  I'm sure you could get bites just retrieving it, but I have never had such luck.

 

Try Smithwick's Devil's Horse, any color.  Simple bait to learn and super productive fished near grass or any cover.

[BassAddict1911]

Oh no no no no no!  The best method is to simply cast out, let it sit a few seconds, then give it a small twitch (maybe 6").  Let it sit again.....repeat.  I'm sure you could get bites just retrieving it, but I have never had such luck.

 

Try Smithwick's Devil's Horse, any color.  Simple bait to learn and super productive fished near grass or any cover.                                                                                                                                                       

  ohhh ... I gotcha, that makes sense. I'll have to give that a try.

[papajoe222]

I like to work  prop baits quickly, either with short, fast twitches or long ripping movements with short pauses. I prefer a little ripple on the surface.  The only prop bait that I work slow is a Torpedo and with that I'll give it subtle twitches that just get the blade spinning. At least once during the retrieve of any topwater I'll change the pace and at times that change is what it takes for a fish to commit.

[Raul]

oh ok, so how fast do you need to retrieve to keep the prop spinning?

It's not a buzzbait, even though reeling in steadily could bring some strikes. Arbogast's had a now discontinued bait called Sputterbug/Sputterbuzz, it did have indeed a buzzbait like blade on the front, I've never had a strike reeling it in steadily but twitching and jerking has caught me a bunch of fish. Heddon's Torpedo has caught bass for decades, Lucky Craft's Kelly J is also a good bait with 2 props.

[Bluebasser86]

H2O Slush Minnow is a knockoff of the LC Kelly J that works very well. Great bait anytime the bass are targeting gills or bugs. 

[smalljaw67]

If you have a few bucks to spare then get a few different models to try out and use different retrieves with each. I say that because I've found that prop baits are all unique in the sound they make and certain times one sound will out produce another. The Devils Horse is a standard, it can be fished aggressive or subtle but aggressive is where this bait shines. For me, my favorite is the Heddon Dying Flutter, it isn't made anymore but you can still find them on ebay, I have quite a few and they are the best prop bait I found for clear calm water. I use this in clear calm water next to bare banks, more aggressive or louder baits work better near weeds, the Dying Flutter is best when fish are in spots that are spooky. The bait is shaped in what I can only describe as an elongated barrel, it is round and tapered at both ends making for a larger middle portion, and because of the shape the bait rids just a bit higher than most and on a short twitch it makes a light sound with very little disturbance, the sound is like that of a match moving along the striker. Go to ebay and try to grab one of these, it is very different than most of them on the market, it is perfect when fish are shallow and spooky.

[fishballer06]

I'm a big fan of the Heddon Torpedo and the Rapala Skitter Prop for topwater prop baits. Throw them out, give them about a one foot jerk, let it rest for 2-3 seconds, and repeat. 

[F14A-B]

I love dual prop baits, handmade cedar check out Blackwater baits in Fl. Very well made and very effective as well

[Raul]

One great thing about prop baits is that first, you don´t have to purchase the latest/newest/most expensive one, even knock offs work well, and another, contrary to other surface baits wave action doesn´t damage the action of the bait, it only adds another type of presentation.

[Ratherbfishing]

Far and away my favorite prop bait is the Heddon tiny torpedo.  It has just the right weight and action.  I used to like devil's horses (still do for mono) but if you primarily fish braided line (like I do), you'll find the limp braid will often wrap around the front prop and ruin the cast.

[STPC]

Far and away my favorite prop bait is the Heddon tiny torpedo.  It has just the right weight and action.  I used to like devil's horses (still do for mono) but if you primarily fish braided line (like I do), you'll find the limp braid will often wrap around the front prop and ruin the cast.

I had the same issue w/braid a few years back...just make sure if you're gonna throw a prop bait w/braid you need a fast or extra fast tip.  A faster rod action makes it all ok