Finesse Topwater

[NYWayfarer]

1 minute ago, fin said:

All those pretty pictures are nothing compared to the collection of decades of knowledge gathered here.

 

I did see something different there though - a "Ploppin' P" by PH Custom. It uses a single metal blade. Looks interesting, but I couldn't find a video of it in action.

 

I noticed that one. Looks interesting.

 

Also check out the Jackall Binksy popper, which is under poppers even though it has a prop. I have no experience with it but it is on my list of baits to purchase and try.

 

 

[waymont]

I forgot to mention the Rapala Skitter Prop. They are small and the blade creates a lot of water spray that very different than a WP. These are great baits when bass are chasing small baitfish on top.

[Paul Roberts]

On 4/27/2019 at 5:03 PM, fin said:

All those pretty pictures are nothing compared to the collection of decades of knowledge gathered here.

 

I did see something different there though - a "Ploppin' P" by PH Custom. It uses a single metal blade. Looks interesting, but I couldn't find a video of it in action.

 

Well... looking at this suggests a lot of possibilities. Don't be afraid to tinker, or more. Things don't need a brand name attached for fish to attack it. Have some fun with this.

[PourMyOwn]

Here's a thought, try putting a prop from a Baby Torpedo on that Tiny Torpedo. It should be quite a bit larger and make more of a ruckus. 

[fin]

4 hours ago, Paul Roberts said:

Don't be afraid to tinker, or more. Things don't need a brand name attached for fish to attack it.

I love tinkering, and I've tried lots of off-the-wall stuff. I don't care what anybody but the fish thinks about it. Today I tried taking a piece of 1/4" tubular insulation and sliced it lengthwise like a sub sandwich and then wrapped it around the base of the tail hook, securing it with a uni knot. It's a gray color and it doesn't look terribly different than the lure color. It worked so well I'm going to go back up a size on the tail hook. With the lure now sitting perfectly horizontal, the blade turns immediately with the slightest twitch and it churns out more water at low speeds. Maybe I'll post a pic of it later.

 

2 hours ago, PourMyOwn said:

Here's a thought, try putting a prop from a Baby Torpedo on that Tiny Torpedo. It should be quite a bit larger and make more of a ruckus. 

I don't think I have any Baby Torpedoes. I had forgotten there was a larger size until you mentioned it. Good idea though.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Not sure weight, but tiny buzzbait I have

[OCdockskipper]

In addition to putting a larger prop on a Tiny Torpedo, how about going full Frankenstein and modifying the back of the Tiny Torpedo to handle a Whopper Plopper propeller?  You'd be out 1 Whopper Plopper and there is a chance the thing might roll over during the retrieve, but it may be worth a shot.

 

Sudden idea, how about removing the rear hook of a Tiny torpedo and tying a second Tiny Torpedo to that rear eyelet with 50 lb test.  Two Tiny Torpedo's should kick up twice the water... 

[WRB]

If the prop is too big the torque spins the lure. Adding pitch the prop turns easier and faster, reducing pitch creates more vertical spray but requires more angler skill to work effectively. Tunning props is part of using prop baits. Adding feathered rear treble hook will increase strike ratio.

Tom

 

[fin]

 

 

Top picture is Frankenstein with the tubular insulation added. Bottom picture (sorry for focus) shows buoyancy compared to original. These hooks may be overkill, but why not?

 

29 minutes ago, OCdockskipper said:

In addition to putting a larger prop on a Tiny Torpedo, how about going full Frankenstein and modifying the back of the Tiny Torpedo to handle a Whopper Plopper propeller?  You'd be out 1 Whopper Plopper and there is a chance the thing might roll over during the retrieve, but it may be worth a shot. 

As @WRB pointed out, it would roll really bad if it worked at all. I think that's why there's no smaller size than the 75.

 

31 minutes ago, OCdockskipper said:

Sudden idea, how about removing the rear hook of a Tiny torpedo and tying a second Tiny Torpedo to that rear eyelet with 50 lb test.  Two Tiny Torpedo's should kick up twice the water... 

lol. Tandem Torpedoes!

 

25 minutes ago, WRB said:

Adding feathered rear treble hook will increase strike ratio.

I've never had much luck with feathered hooks for some reason. I like the way they look, but I just don't get hits on them. It probably adds a little buoyancy to the tail hook too.

 

1 hour ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Not sure weight, but tiny buzzbait I have

Yep, that's pretty much what I've got. I took one of them and painted it with the same green nail polish as the torpedo and put an olive/green skirt on it. Threw it a little this morning and got one slap on it. The topwater bite isn't really happening here yet.

[Paul Roberts]

Nifty! Now this is fun! This kind of thing is where the next Senko, or WP, comes from.