what lures for walking the dog

[Bream Master]

I'm new to this technique. I've read up on it a little bit and was just wondering if you guys could point me in the right way as to what lures to use.

Also, if possible, can someone post a vid. or link showing this technique in action?

[GAMEOVER]

My absolute favorite and most productive lure to use when using this method is the Lucky Craft Sammy 100 series. The Sammy 85 series is okay to but I dont recommend going smaller then the 85 series. I do recommend you buy a Heddon Zara Spook for 4 dollars in a Bass pattern to practice with. Before I started buying top of the line lures to use for different types of fishing id buy cheaper ones first like the Heddon (in your case) to practice with and then when my technique was down I enjoyed my higher quality baits like the Sammy. BTW, the Heddon stuff works well (very well). Id also like to recommend something different to you and thats the Matzuo "Huntin Dog". They are so cheap, finishes are top notch, and they run true. A stickbait has a weight in its tail that slightly elevates its nose when it[ch8217]s resting on the surface. This position allows it to cut and glide from one side to the other when you twitch your rod tip on a semislack line. To work one properly, hold your rod tip low and quartering to the side, put some slack in your line, and twitch your lure with sideways sweeps of the rod tip. Try to establish a rhythm to your twitching. Twitch pause, twitch pause, twitch pause. Getting the timing down takes practice. If you[ch8217]re having trouble getting the bait to cut and glide properly, slow the pace and make sure you[ch8217]re giving your lure enough slack after the twitch. Most beginners twitch too quickly on a too-tight line, preventing the bait[ch8217]s nose from turning and gliding. The lure should be moving more to the left and right than it is toward you. Once you[ch8217]ve mastered the basic dog-walking retrieve, you can teach your stickbait to walk to one side or the other. You steer by allowing the lure an extra half-beat after it cuts in the direction you want it to go. It[ch8217]s a twitch-twitch pause, twitch-twitch pause rhythm. The bait glides in the direction the lure is pointing after the second twitch. To change directions, twitch once, pause, then start the double-twitch rhythm again. Hope all this helps you and develop some patience as it takes time to learn anything, good luck.

[FishTank]

The Lucky Craft Sammy 100 is my personal favorite.

[Daniel My Brother]

The Zara Spooks are affordable and work well. Here's a good article on the subject from Field & Stream

http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/fishing/article/0,13199,1069239,00.html

[CrazedL.IFisherman]

I have many of these just like the next fisherman, my favorite is the spit'n image sponsored by bill dance and it is a heddon lure, this lure for me glides back and fourth so easily, its almost effortless to walk the dog with this lure, i truely love this one

[Guest the_muddy_man]

this would probally be a sufficient lure to get me to walk a dog:

[roadwarrior]

Lucky Craft Sammy and Heddon Zara Spook.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

No no no muddy.  You got that backwards.  

YOU walk something like this

To LURE something like this

The puppy though is a "reaction bait".  The actual "hook up" and "landing" is up to you.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Seriously now to answer the question .......... The easiest walk the dog bait would have to be the LC Sammy ... or at least that I have tried. The Zara Spook is another great walk the dog bait, but it takes a little practice to get the bait to work right.

[Bream Master]

Muddy, I swear, had all I seen was the reponse and the picture, I would of guessed you.  Hahahahah. ;D

[Fishin49er]

I have had good luck with the BPS Slim Dog and they are very inexpensive.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

My 2 favorites are actually the Cabelas waling dog bait and I use Spittin Images with great sucsess this way. This year Im gonna try adding Rapala Skitter walks and a wodden bait

[jdw174]

I'm surprised no one mentioned using a Pop-R to walk the dog.  It works very nicely.  Same goes for a Chug Bug.  I'm also fond of the Spittin' Image.

[phisher_d]

My favorite stickbait is the lew's speed pencil.  This bait is very easy to walk, great for people trying the technique for the first time.  My only complaint is that the hooks could be better, but for $2.69 it's a heck of a deal.

[NEBassMan]

I use the Rapala Skitter Walk and it was very easy to learn to walk the dog.

Jason

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I like the Excalibur spook (larger w/ gammy hooks and better finishes) and the spit-n-image.  Image also works great as a twitch bait.

A few suggestions above about using poppers and prop baits but I don't really know how that's done.  These lures are made to work with forward movement, getting them to work side to side has to be tough, I'd stick with baits designed to be walked first.

[CyBasser]

I like the Excalibur spook (larger w/ gammy hooks and better finishes) and the spit-n-image. Image also works great as a twitch bait.

A few suggestions above about using poppers and prop baits but I don't really know how that's done. These lures are made to work with forward movement, getting them to work side to side has to be tough, I'd stick with baits designed to be walked first.

Very easy: Just attach a split ring to the lure. Both the Pop-R and the ChuckBug perform the walk-the-dog movement with a split-ring attached.

Still, I personally prefer the Heddon Super Spook, the Zara Spook, the Super Spook Jr, and the Puppy - ie the whole "dog" family, all have worked very well for me. I tried the Rapala Skitter Walk without much success, but have not really given them a "honest" effort (ie just a few casts).

A buddy here though has had much success with the Yo-Zuri Banana boats, though all the bass he caught were 2lbers or smaller, while the "dog" family has been producing bigger fish for me...

[Got Bass?]

Zara Spook

Some tips:

Make sure when you are walking, the bait moves from east to west, west to east, east to west, etc.

[BucketmouthAngler13]

Exaliber Super Spook Jr.

easist walk the dogger i've used, great detail, and cheap too.

[Brad_Coovert]

If you wanna leanr about all their is to know about walking a bait, look for any videos, books or articles on this method by Charlie Campbell.  No one can come close to ol' Charlie when it comes to walking baits.  He was a true master.

Brad

[fishbear]

I like the Excalibur spook (larger w/ gammy hooks and better finishes) and the spit-n-image.  Image also works great as a twitch bait.

A few suggestions above about using poppers and prop baits but I don't really know how that's done.  These lures are made to work with forward movement, getting them to work side to side has to be tough, I'd stick with baits designed to be walked first.

LBH, the poppers actually are not hard at all to get that walk the dog action..... one of my favorites is a Pop R.....  

I do have a nice collection of Spooks going though,,,

[eulerentinc]

For ease of use, i would say practice on a skitter walk.  I myself just bought my first "spook" bait.  

And i hope im not the only person left on earth that still watches, but Bill Dance Outdoors just had a show on the versus channel (OLN) about the spook bait and walking the dog.  Keep your eye out for it.  im sure it will repeat.

[jdw174]

I like the Excalibur spook (larger w/ gammy hooks and better finishes) and the spit-n-image. Image also works great as a twitch bait.

A few suggestions above about using poppers and prop baits but I don't really know how that's done. These lures are made to work with forward movement, getting them to work side to side has to be tough, I'd stick with baits designed to be walked first.

For walking poppers, I suggest a rod like the AllStar Zell Rowland TWS.  I use that for most of my topwater lures except the heavier lures like a Spook.