Prop baits

[Jim Sutter]

Which prop bait is your favorite? Also, what is your preferred color for very stained water?

[fishballer06]

I've got a few that I like to use. 

 

1. Rapala Skitter Prop - Cheaper and works well

2. Heddon Torpedo - a classic, cheaper, and a smaller profile

3. Lucky Craft Kelly J Prop Bait - more expensive, LC quality, catches fish

4. Black Label Tackle Cliff Pace Tease - most expensive, hand made and high quality, sits upright, can be twitched or stead retrieved

 

 

I'd also like to try the Brians Prop Bee because I've seen a lot of the pro's throwing them and I like the way they come through the water, I just haven't brought myself to dropping $28 for one yet...

[Looking for the big one]

Whopper plopper. Not exactly a prop bait, but pretty much the same idea. 

[Jim Sutter]

Fishballer06

Thank you, for your reply. When fishing stained water, which color of the Rapala Skitter Prop and the Heddon Torpedo do you throw?  How well do these baits work between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on a bright sunny day? Please take care and have a wonderful and safe day.

 

Looking for the big one,

Thank you, for your reply to my question concerning prop baits. When throwing a Whopper Plopper want color do you use when the water is stained. Also, how well do these baits work between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on a bright sunny day? Thanks again for this information. Please take care and have a wonderful and safe day.

[Jigfishn10]

All good choices listed above. As far as color? How do you go wrong with white on a topwater during the day and black at night? Both will silhouette well. Prop baits don't roll as much as a dog walking bait or a chugging type bait so you really don't see color that well anyway...JMHO.

 

Good luck.   

[scaleface]

Bomber Prop A . I still have about a have about a half dozen not opened . Long discontinued ,I had my best day ever with one . They are real effective post spawn .

 

[fishballer06]

1 hour ago, Jim Sutter said:

Fishballer06

Thank you, for your reply. When fishing stained water, which color of the Rapala Skitter Prop and the Heddon Torpedo do you throw?  How well do these baits work between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on a bright sunny day? Please take care and have a wonderful and safe day.

 

I've never been overly convinced that colors matter a whole lot on topwater baits. I normally pick a color I'm confident in and run with it. The fish are only seeing the belly anyways. In the Skitter Prop, I use the Frog and Lime Frog colors in all water colors. In the torpedo, I usually go with the baby bass, frog, or the black w/ white herringbone design. 

 

As for time of day, this time of year I will not throw topwater during the times you mention. But in the fall whenever the water is in the low 60's, topwater can work all day long. .

[Bluebasser86]

The Yo-Xuri 3BD Prop for a single prop, H2O Slush Daddy for a double prop.I like bluegill colors.

[Jim Sutter]

Fallbasser06,

I'm learning top water lures do not work to well during those hours. In fact, I'm thinking about changing my daily routine during the summer months. Right now, I'm fishing between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. I'm going to start walking during that time period and start fishing at 6:30pm until dark. You take care and have a great day.

 

Bluebasser86,

I had never heard of these lures until reading your post. Also, I have never seen them in any of the stores that I shop. I will definitely keep them in mind. Should I come across them, I will purchase a couple and give them a try. Thanks again for this information. You take care and please have a wonderful and safe day.

Edited July 20, 2017 by Jim Sutter
because, I left a few words out.

[seyone]

I have always been a fan of the Smithwick devils horse. You don't hear much about them anymore, but they still catch fish.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

What @seyone said!! Caught my PB on a silver/black Devil's Horse back in 1981. But that was before everything went plastic. Still, maybe I'll give the new ones a whirl. But plastic? Sheesh!

[lo n slo]

bang-o-lure in either gold/black, or baby bass

heddon torpedo in chrome, frog, and black

[bowhunter63]

Rapala skitter prop and Heddon torpedo

[Jim Sutter]

Seyone,

I have a few of the Smithwick Devil Horses. It's been awhile since I used them. I might just dig a couple out and give them a try.

 

Draggin the line,

I have never heard of the lure Bank O lure. I do have some Heddon Torpedo's. Its been a good year since I used them.

 

Bowhunter63,

In the past, when I have fished with a prop baits, mostly I used the Rapala Skitter Prop. My favorite color to use was the gold olive.

 

I appreciate all your replies. A lot of good information for me. Hope each one of you have a fantastic Thursday.

[joe chum]

Cotton Cordell Crazy Shad.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Cotton_Cordell_Crazy_Shad_3_/descpage-CCCSD.html

 

It was out of production for a few years but PRADCO has brought them back and in some new colors.

[Jim Sutter]

Joe Chum,

Thanks for that information. I remember seeing something like this at Walmart, however, it only had one prop. You take care and have a wonderful and safe day.

Edited July 20, 2017 by Jim Sutter
I used the wrong word.

[flatcreek]

CC Crazy Shad & CC Boy Howdy

[Bluebasser86]

On 7/19/2017 at 2:38 PM, Jim Sutter said:

Bluebasser86,

I had never heard of these lures until reading your post. Also, I have never seen them in any of the stores that I shop. I will definitely keep them in mind. Should I come across them, I will purchase a couple and give them a try. Thanks again for this information. You take care and please have a wonderful and safe day.

I've never seen the Yo-Zuri in store, had to order mine. The H2O is a house brand bait from Academy Sports, only place you can get it. They have free shipping on orders over $25 though, so you can get them delivered to you if there's not one close by. 

[smalljaw67]

I'm a huge fan of the Yo-Zuri 3DB Prop, it has a single polycarbonate prop on the back that throws more water than you would think. Not only is the commotion good but the sound, the prop on that bait has a different sound and it draws big strikes. I really like the discontinued Heddon Dying Flutter as well but the Yo-Zuri is really good.

[Jim Sutter]

Smalljaw67,

Thanks for the information. I do not have any Yo-Zuri 3DB prop baits. I will pick up a couple and try them. Take care and have a great evening.

 

[MIbassyaker]

I love propbaits! Especially the torpedo (prefer the tiny), but also the skitter prop, x-rap prop, devil's horse, yo-zuri, LC kelly J and waketail...one of the most underrated of lure categories.

 

And, yes, the Whopper Plopper absolutely is a propbait! (even if nobody realizes it).  Actually, I think the 90 size WP is more effective fished with short rips and pauses like a classic propbait, than it is fished with a straight retrieve.

[Jim Sutter]

MIbassyaker,

Thank you, for responding to my post. I will try your suggestion regarding the Whopper Plopper. Short rips with pauses. Sounds good to me. Thanks again, please take care and have a great day.

[JustJames]

On 7/27/2017 at 8:59 PM, MIbassyaker said:

I love propbaits! Especially the torpedo (prefer the tiny), but also the skitter prop, x-rap prop, devil's horse, yo-zuri, LC kelly J and waketail...one of the most underrated of lure categories.

 

And, yes, the Whopper Plopper absolutely is a propbait! (even if nobody realizes it).  Actually, I think the 90 size WP is more effective fished with short rips and pauses like a classic propbait, than it is fished with a straight retrieve.

I actually tried to fish WP90 as prop bait the last few weeks. I have not got any bite yet. The trick is how to make it dive down. I added about 5 feet of Flurocarbon to braid line and let it sit for a few seconds.