Ultralight Lures

[carrageenan]

Looking for a 1-1/2 or 2" spook for my ultralight rod, does this exist? I thought about removing the hardware from a Heddon Teeny Torpedo and retrieving it in reverse but it's not exactly the same shape. Normally I would try to turn a few of my own, but I sold my lathe and it's getting picked up tomorrow.

 

I am able to walk the dog with a Rebel Tiny Pop-R, but I wanted to see if I have more success with an actual spook. The Heddon Zara Puppy feels like it overloads my ultralight rod, so I wanted to stay at 1/8 oz on the dot.

 

Thanks for your input!

[TnRiver46]

4 minutes ago, carrageenan said:

Looking for a 1-1/2 or 2" spook for my ultralight rod, does this exist? I thought about removing the hardware from a Heddon Teeny Torpedo and retrieving it in reverse but it's not exactly the same shape. Normally I would try to turn a few of my own, but I sold my lathe and it's getting picked up tomorrow.

 

I am able to walk the dog with a Rebel Tiny Pop-R, but I wanted to see if I have more success with an actual spook. The Heddon Zara Puppy feels like it overloads my ultralight rod, so I wanted to stay at 1/8 oz on the dot.

 

Thanks for your input!

Isn’t there a Zara pouch? Can’t recall if it’s larger or smaller than the puppy 

[VolFan]

I don’t think I’ve seen one smaller than the puppy. The physics at that point from the light weight would make it tough to get a good glide.

[FishTank]

There are two from Megabass that might be close.  

 

There is the Dog-X Jr. Its about 3in. Its definitely a finesse bait.

 

The other is the Karashi. It is a very slow sinking bait that you can walk just under the surface. It is slightly smaller than the Dog-X Jr. and does a great job of walking back and forth. 

 

[carrageenan]

49 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Isn’t there a Zara pouch? Can’t recall if it’s larger or smaller than the puppy 

Apparently they used to sell a 2-1/8" model, looks like it's discontinued. Thanks for the input!

[Jrob78]

There are a few pretty small walkers and poppers on this site. 

https://baitfinesseempire.com/product-tag/topwater/

[carrageenan]

14 minutes ago, VolFan said:

I don’t think I’ve seen one smaller than the puppy. The physics...

 

3 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Megabass Dog-X Jr...Karashi

Thanks a lot guys!

3 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

There are a few pretty small walkers and poppers on this site. I don't see any walkers that are 1/8 but there is one that is 1/6 and one that is 1/7.

https://baitfinesseempire.com/product-tag/topwater/

 

I've used BFE before, I guess I could try some JDM. I was really hoping to find something smaller, but I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

[TnRiver46]

34 minutes ago, carrageenan said:

Apparently they used to sell a 2-1/8" model, looks like it's discontinued. Thanks for the input!

They worked well as I recall

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, VolFan said:

I don’t think I’ve seen one smaller than the puppy. The physics at that point from the light weight would make it tough to get a good glide.

Yeah, tiny walking baits make about as much sense as, well, tiny walking baits...

[NorcalBassin]

Not sure how well it would walk, but Rapala does make an ultra light pop that is 1/8oz and 1.5". After seeing those I'm pretty sure I "need" a couple.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Ive got one of tiny Zaras that I found years ago on the bank.  I didnt know they were discontinued, which is a shame because its a blast to fish.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

LC makes a Sammy 55 and 65.  One of them is 1/8 and the other is slightly over or slightly under.  There are other light JDM walking baits, but the LC should be easier to find.  Check out thehookuptackle before you look at JDM sites, you might be able to get a BF/CM discount.

[mrpao]

Heddon use to make the Zara spook pooch. It's the ultralight version you guys are talking about. A decent lure but not a great walker due to been so small and the line tie being on the bottom of the face. I guess with the physics, it just didn't work as well as its bigger brothers.

 

Some of my favorite ultralight topwaters:

Rapala ultralight popper

Rebel teeny pop R

AliExpress popper

H2O Express walking lure.

AliExpress walking lure.

 

My favorite is the tiny AliExpress popper. Very inexpensive and can pop and walk very well. I throw it on 4 lbs mono around the shore and is a blast to fish. I have caught tons of bass and sunfish on it.

 

[Captain Phil]

What you need is an original Rapala Minnow.  Best ultra light bass lure on the planet.   They make them in sizes from 1 1/2 inches long. NOTHING CATCHES MORE BASS!!  It is impossible to work this lure wrong.  Seriously, you will get tired of unhooking bass from this lure. ☺️

 

[VolFan]

Phil beat me to this - you can pop, walk, wake, or swim the OG Rapala minnow in any size. I use it from the smallest size up to a 6 in (ish) version. It works everywhere, but especially in tiny sizes. It is the 30-06 of lures. 

[carrageenan]

4 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

What you need is an original Rapala Minnow.  Best ultra light bass lure on the planet.   They make them in sizes from 1 1/2 inches long. NOTHING CATCHES MORE BASS!!  It is impossible to work this lure wrong.  Seriously, you will get tired of unhooking bass from this lure. ☺️

 

 

3 hours ago, VolFan said:

Phil beat me to this - you can pop, walk, wake, or swim the OG Rapala minnow in any size. I use it from the smallest size up to a 6 in (ish) version. It works everywhere, but especially in tiny sizes. It is the 30-06 of lures. 

 

Are the current Rapala minnows on the market the same, or would this be a different model? I have an old floater I found in a tree that I usually reserve for trout fishing, maybe I'll give it a shot.

[Captain Phil]

4 hours ago, carrageenan said:

 

 

Are the current Rapala minnows on the market the same, or would this be a different model? I have an old floater I found in a tree that I usually reserve for trout fishing, maybe I'll give it a shot.

 

Rapala makes a wide variety of lures. I have not tried them all.  Yes, you can still buy the original floating minnow.  They come in silver and gold.   They are still made from balsa, which is one reason they work so well.  If you can find one in gold with the thin white stripe on the belly, it's a killer on largemouth.  I paint the stripe on mine.   This lure works best in clear water.  I dare you to throw it all day without catching a bass.  If that happens, you should consider taking up golf.  ?

 

Another ultralight lure you should have in your arsenal is a Heddon Tiny Torpedo.  I like chrome and black.   The only problem you may have is that a big fish may eat this bait.  An eight pound bass on an ultra lite outfit is a handful.

[carrageenan]

32 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

 

Rapala makes a wide variety of lures. I have not tried them all.  Yes, you can still buy the original floating minnow.  They come in silver and gold.   They are still made from balsa, which is one reason they work so well.  If you can find one in gold with the thin white stripe on the belly, it's a killer on largemouth.  I paint the stripe on mine.   This lure works best in clear water.  I dare you to throw it all day without catching a bass.  If that happens, you should consider taking up golf.  ?

 

Another ultralight lure you should have in your arsenal is a Heddon Tiny Torpedo.  I like chrome and black.   The only problem you may have is that a big fish may eat this bait.  An eight pound bass on an ultra lite outfit is a handful. 

 

 

 

Thanks for the follow up, I'll have to pick up a few and give them a try. I have a tiny torpedo, but it has not seen much action. I was thinking about rigging it backwards to see if I could get it to walk, but I have a feeling that won't quite work.

[casts_by_fly]

18 hours ago, carrageenan said:

Apparently they used to sell a 2-1/8" model, looks like it's discontinued. Thanks for the input!

 

18 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

They worked well as I recall

I have a couple of them in the box still and they do catch a bunch of fish. They are dynamite as a small stream smallmouth lure. They are harder to walk but completely doable if you don’t go too stiff with your line. I used to use 4 lb trilene xl and a 5’ ultralight spinning rod. Tons of fun for 8-15” smallies in a small stream. 
 

the other suggestions above are great. Another to consider is the 3” sluggo and a light wire J-hook. It won’t float but it walks like crazy. And the slow fall when you stop it can drive them nuts. 

[carrageenan]

9 hours ago, mrpao said:

Heddon use to make the Zara spook pooch. It's the ultralight version you guys are talking about. A decent lure but not a great walker due to been so small and the line tie being on the bottom of the face. I guess with the physics, it just didn't work as well as its bigger brothers.

 

Some of my favorite ultralight topwaters:

Rapala ultralight popper

Rebel teeny pop R

AliExpress popper

H2O Express walking lure.

AliExpress walking lure.

 

My favorite is the tiny AliExpress popper. Very inexpensive and can pop and walk very well. I throw it on 4 lbs mono around the shore and is a blast to fish. I have caught tons of bass and sunfish on it.

 

What's the difference between the Rapala Ultralight and the Teeny Pop-R? They look to be similar, and weight is listed as 1/8 oz for both.

[Captain Phil]

5 minutes ago, carrageenan said:

Thanks for the follow up, I'll have to pick up a few and give them a try. I have a tiny torpedo, but it has not seen much action. I was thinking about rigging it backwards to see if I could get it to walk, but I have a feeling that won't quite work.

 

The Tiny Torpedo is not a walking lure.  The small spinner on the rear mimics a fleeing shad.  I fish it in short jerks and it's deadly on bass. 

[GRiver]

34 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

he Tiny Torpedo is not a walking lure.  The small spinner on the rear mimics a fleeing shad.  I fish it in short jerks and it's deadly on bass. 

 

9 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

What you need is an original Rapala Minnow

Great choices ……Caught many of fish on those two lures, I always have them. I even have extras “in waiting” in case I lose one.

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Captain Phil said:

 

Rapala makes a wide variety of lures. I have not tried them all.  Yes, you can still buy the original floating minnow.  They come in silver and gold.   They are still made from balsa, which is one reason they work so well.  If you can find one in gold with the thin white stripe on the belly, it's a killer on largemouth.  I paint the stripe on mine.   This lure works best in clear water.  I dare you to throw it all day without catching a bass.  If that happens, you should consider taking up golf.  ?

 

Another ultralight lure you should have in your arsenal is a Heddon Tiny Torpedo.  I like chrome and black.   The only problem you may have is that a big fish may eat this bait.  An eight pound bass on an ultra lite outfit is a handful.

 

I have a couple Zara Poochs, as mentioned they are hard to walk.

 

The lures @Captain Phil mentioned is the direction I went. Every Wally World down here sales them, that's how popular they are.

[Bankbeater]

Heddon used to make a Baby Zara that was roughly 3" long.  It has been out of production for a number of years. 

[Captain Phil]

Part of my Tiny Torpedo collection.