Prop baits

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by William McMurry on November 6, 2011 at 7:15am

Used in the past at Kapowsin, riffe and silver lake. had decent luck but ended up going back to the jitterbug and pop-R. june/july night fishing, early mourning at riffe... ive actually removed them from my tackle box's.... i think ill throw them back in for 2012 now?

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on November 6, 2011 at 10:25am

I love them, here are some of my favorites, wounded spook, Buzzjet, Buzzjet Jr., Brians Prop B, Megabass Prop Darter. I don't care for the torpedo, kelly J's, I replaced my Kelly J's with the Brians way more durable and effective with the same profile. One bait that I think would play ball is the Smithwick Devils Horse, I have used it a couple times, but no success, I know that at the right time it will catch them. 

 

The billed prop baits I mentioned are really good just for their diving/waking properties the others work much like poppers in that it is a straighter line than something like a walking bait.

Permalink Reply by Joel Grafe on November 6, 2011 at 7:44pm

i've caught a lot of fish on the devils horse in the past.. use to be a go to stand by for me as far as top water goes.. not sure why the last few years i haven't thrown it much.

Permalink Reply by Matthew Kennedy on November 6, 2011 at 9:06pm

Threw a buzzjet jr the other day for the first time. What a rad little bait. Had a heck of a time getting it to walk, though. I did have a 15 ft flouro leader on. Was wondering if that could have sunk the bait a bit. Not sure. Could have just been that it is going to take some practice. Felt like it will be a lot of fun.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on November 7, 2011 at 6:42am

Hey Matthew,

 

The Buzzjet and Buzzjet Jr. are great producers.  I have had success with the Buzzjet by employing a slow to moderate retrieve with occasional pauses and twitches vs. trying to "walk" the bait.  Due to the bill, I don't really think it can be walked effectively.  A slow retrieve will make the Buzzjet do a wakebait-style walk and get the propeller going at the same time.  You nailed it with the fluoro as well.  Not the best leader for topwater.  Good luck!   

Permalink Reply by Tim Bartle on November 7, 2011 at 4:13pm

The Rapala Skitter Prop is my favorite prop bait.  It is made of wood and has a single tail prop.  I've had success both working it (1) slowly around cover and (2) quickly over flats where bass are busting shad.  I consider it a subtle bait based on it's light weight, wood construction and single tail prop.  I usually fish it in calmer water conditions.

 

I prefer something like a Super Spook in rougher water.  However, if you told me to pick a prop bait for this condition I would go with a Gilmore Jumper which is a larger cigar shaped wood bait with both nose and tail props.

 

I like the big Buzzjet too but I consider it to be more of a modified wake bait and fish it as such.