Wake (or put to sleep) baits

[MacJig]

Getting tired of throwing shallow cranks and still picking up weeds. I am considering adding a few wake baits to my arsenal and would like some opinions on the matter. Do you like using them? Best conditions to throw? Brand? Size? Color? Many thanks in advance. 

[EWREX]

i don't toss them much but i have a few Strike King HC KVD Wakebait's that have caught some decent fish

[OG Crankster]

60mm Berkley WakeBull in MF Bluegill has been my best producing pond bait for years. You can wake it on the surface or it will dive maybe 6 inches. 

[Dwight Hottle]

For a smaller bait (1/2 oz)  I have had very good luck with a LC 1.5WK.  

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-LUCKY.html?from=basres

[Bankbeater]

I don't use them a whole lot. I usually cast out a Mann's one minus and bring it back very slowly, so it will stay on the surface.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

I don't use them a whole lot. I usually cast out a Mann's one minus and bring it back very slowly, so it will stay on the surface.

I do the same with the one Yo-Zuri 3DB I have.

[gim]

My favorite is the Storm Subwart. Unfortunately, it was discontinued when Rapala bought Storm. If you look hard enough you might find some on eBay. The closest lure to the subwart I have found is the BPS XPS Super Shallow Crank. It will come in as a wakebait when reeled slow.

[Bluebasser86]

The Berkley Surge Shad has been my favorite wake bait the last couple years. 

[smalljaw67]

Go to ebay or some other site and see if you can find a Mann's Waker or Waker Elite. I was down to 2 baits and called Mann's and was able to get some old stock they had. That is hands down the best wake bait I ever used. You can burn it and it will only dive about 3 inches, and you don't have to hold your rod high. I like the Storm Arashi wake crank as well but it does best at slower speeds. 

[bigbassin']

Bomber Shallow A or H2O wake bait are my go to. 
 

I’ve also had luck with a KVD 1.5 with the rod over my head pointed straight up. Probably looks a little funny, but it does work.

[MacJig]

Hey. Thx all for the comments/suggestions. I'm sure I will give it the old college try! I use the shallow diver square bill now. But in the shallow, ultra weedy water, it doesn't work. Hopefully the Wake bait to the rescue.

[the reel ess]

I throw the SPRO rat in the middle size. Still a pretty big bait. It gets some bites, but not a ton of them. It's a bigger bass bait, but you'll still get the occasional dink on it. In fact, I've gotten mostly dinks on it. Definitely more of a weedy, shallow body of water bait. The kinds of places fish might see a rat swimming.

[PhishLI]

On 4/27/2022 at 9:12 AM, MacJig said:

I am considering adding a few wake baits to my arsenal and would like some opinions on the matter. Do you like using them?

Yes. I throw them every session as part of my normal progression when I'm trying to find out what they want.

On 4/27/2022 at 9:12 AM, MacJig said:

Best conditions to throw?

All conditions. Last night the wind was howling. 20 mph sustained winds and 34* real feel. Whitecaps. A 5+lber smashed the Shellcracker G2 pictured on the bottom. I've also done very well using any sized wake in dead flat conditions.

On 4/27/2022 at 9:12 AM, MacJig said:

Brand? Size? Color?

No hard-fast rule if they're keyed in on wakes. Natural light probably plays a role to some degree regarding color. Sometimes white rules. Other times flash, or monochromatic color. Other times, well you let the fish tell you. Having a variety on hand is the best bet.

 

The easiest bait to recommend is the Black Dog Baits Shellcraker G2. One in white. One in Bluegill. I've caught big bluegill, crappie, walleye, and bass from 1lb to 7lbs on them. It can be thrown on a heavy jig rod with mono if that's all you have.

 

The 50mm Yozuri shown on top might also be the right bait at the right time. My buddy's best bass so far this year weighing 6-13 ate that exact bait. Mix in something in the 70mm range in a few colors and you're set.

 

All of the baits shown will crank down to different depths if you crank them fast enough. Sometimes that's exactly what the doctor ordered. Occasionally they'll refuse to come up to the surface, but a wake running 6" below the surface is the deal. Always mix things up when you're working over an area. Quite often seemingly dead water is actually loaded with fish, and showing them what they want how they want it is the difference maker.

 

 

 

[WRB]

You “wake” any shallow diving floating bass lure. The original broken back floating Rapala Minnow is good wake bait.

Your issue is treble hooks picking up strands of weeds. Either look into weedless wake baits or try changing out treble with Owner single hooks.

Tom