Any Propeller Bait Users Here?

[islandbass]

Does anyone use propeller topwater baits?

 

And if so, what brand/models do you like to use and what are your favorite cadences when you use them?  Also, do you have a preference for single (usually just one in the back) double (front and back) props and perhaps the conditions one might have excelled over the other.

 

The two that come to mind are the ones Heddon and Smithwick make but there might be other companies that make them too that I might not know about.

 

Fall seems to be a good time in my neck of the woods to throw poppers, and I want to throw them a couple of curve balls so to speak.

 

I have a basswood dowel that I would like to use make a few and maybe a popper or two.  Thanks ahead of time.

[WRB]

Surface prop lures are a forgotten and even fewer anglers know how use them.

I learned to fish a top water prop bait back in the 50's when they were called plugs.

My 1st was a Creek Chub Injured Minnow double prop lure. Smithwick made a few rear prop baits called Buck n Brawl and Ma & Pa Scooters that became my all time favorite top water lures and still use them on occasion, you need to change the original hooks they are poor quality!

Surface prop baits need to be ripped to create spray similar to a underwater jerk bait, it's not a slow moving lure.

Tom

[The Bassman]

Will have to try the hard rip method.  I've always fished them slow and steady.  Used to fish Tiny Torpedos after dark. There's nothing to shake you up like getting hit just a few feet from your rod tip in the dark. I would think that an aggressive retrieve would be best with a little chop on the water.

[bigbill]

I use a slow, steady retrieve with topwater propbaits. Now with the mister twister top props I can use a steady retrieve or a 1-2-3 rip n pause. Try to make each rip exactly even. Use the exact pause time wise too. The bass will time his strike to your timing. Much like a kitten does. Nothing like the topwater action. With spooks, poppers I hesitate on the hookset. Make sure the fish has it. Sometimes they will slap it silly first thinking thinking they hurt the bait then turn faster than a PT boat and inhale it. So don't move the bait too soon thinking it's a strike and a miss. Let the bait soak for a few seconds more. Trust me it works. I've seen the biggest bass try to fool me this way.

[MIbassyaker]

FANTASTIC pond and river baits -- very underrated. Rip-rip-pause retrieve, varying the lengths of the rips and pauses. Don't be afraid to work them violently and erratically -- sometimes that's the ticket, especially in current. In still water, I like to work them through scattered emergent cover, at times when I don't want to keep it in one place too long (as I would with a popper), and I don't want to move it past locations too quickly (like a buzzbait). I actually prefer the single prop-versions over the double prop: heddon torpedo and tiny torpedo, Yo-zuri prop, Rapala skitter prop, Lucky craft wake tail. 

 

[Yakalong]

I actually bought one this past spring and used it once. Caught a couple on it and haven't thrown it since. Seems like I always have a pop r or whopper plopper tied on and they work well. Need to get the prop bait out and see how it does in the fall.

[islandbass]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

Surface prop lures are a forgotten and even fewer anglers know how use them.

I learned to fish a top water prop bait back in the 50's when they were called plugs.

My 1st was a Creek Chub Injured Minnow double prop lure. Smithwick made a few rear prop baits called Buck n Brawl and Ma & Pa Scooters that became my all time favorite top water lures and still use them on occasion, you need to change the original hooks they are poor quality!

Surface prop baits need to be ripped to create spray similar to a underwater jerk bait, it's not a slow moving lure.

Tom

I think you're right about that which is why I thought at least for me, that I should explore it and invest time pursuing it. 

 

Thanks to everyone for their input. As a first guess, I would have tried working it like a popper and as a result probably would have never considered or realized it as an option. 

 

@John Loughlin  I totally like that idea! And I didn't know a prop bait like that even existed. Thanks. 

 

[WRB]

Everyone forgets that underwater double prop baits date back into the early 1900's, Creek Chubs Dowajaic lures started out as underwater lures and later made surface models in the 1915 to 1920 era. Spy baits aren't new!

Tom 

[snake95]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

Surface prop baits need to be ripped to create spray similar to a underwater jerk bait, it's not a slow moving lure.

@WRB very interesting responses.  When would you choose a surface prop bait over a buzzbait?  Hope this isn't taking the thread too far from the intent of @islandbass' questions, but what about comparing these options to ploppers?   

[gall]

For me baby torpedo and tiny and torpedo and gaines crippled killer which is a dual prop are smallmouth killers I use a 123 method too depends on their mood sometimes I'll barely get the blades turning other times lots or water kicking I kinda fish it like  a popper the most the smallmouth seem to love that and also in my cases I won't even wait for the ripples to dissappear they will hit it when it hits the water time to time

[papajoe222]

Other than a WoodChopper that I've had for years, all of my double prop baits are hand made versions. I'm of the same mind as Tom when it comes to how to work them.  There are other baits I'll use when I need to slow down, or give them something more subtle. They really shine when ripped at a 2 pause,1 pause cadence for me.  I don't move them far, maybe 8-10in. and rarely use them when there isn't a good ripple on the water's surface. One thing I do with most topwarters is either cast past a target and then work the lure to it, or if casting past a target isn't an option I'll let the bait sit for a while after it lands.  I've seen a lot of fellow competitors lay down a nice cast inches from a stick-up or shore and kick it into high gear immediately. 

[Bluebasser86]

The H20 Slush Minnow and Slush Daddy are both very good prop baits. Last year at the suggestion of @smalljaw67 I tried the Yo-Zuri 3BD Prop bait and really liked it. It has a different blade that makes a very unique noise and really seems to fire the fish up. 

[islandbass]

5 hours ago, snake95 said:

@WRB very interesting responses.  When would you choose a surface prop bait over a buzzbait?  Hope this isn't taking the thread too far from the intent of @islandbass' questions, but what about comparing these options to ploppers?   

Your questions do not detract from the topic. A member of the House or Senate might actually say your questions are indeed germane, lol. I don't know the answer to your questions, but they are worthy of  further discussion.

   

[Redlinerobert]

I have a rod specific to giant prop baits.  The original Megabass Mephisto SB.  Peacock bass killer.

[fishballer06]

I love to throw a torpedo. Excellent lure. I wish they were a little higher quality, but still a fun and effective lure.

[gall]

On 9/14/2017 at 9:16 AM, fishballer06 said:

I love to throw a torpedo. Excellent lure. I wish they were a little higher quality, but still a fun and effective lure.

That's my feeling in them too I always replace the hooks the second I get  a new one. I aso loosen up the the rear screw to five the blade a little more motion. 

[OCdockskipper]

I also like the Torpedo's, both the regular size & tiny for my lake.  It does seem to be more effective in the fall than the spring or summer for me (poppers in the early spring, walking baits later & into summer).