FISHING
TIPS and Techniques
Using Prop Baits - By Dan
Mathisen
Probably
the most overlooked topwater bait on the Delta is the prop baits.
Prop baits have been around since Americans began fishing for
bass. Their age may be one reason fishermen sometimes forget that
they are effective lures not only for targeting aggressive bass,
but for drawing strikes from post spawn bass on days when it seems
surface lures just shouldn't work.
There are simply two types of these old favorites. The first has
a single propeller on the rear in front of the back treble hook.
Sitting in the water like a well tuned popper with the back prop
end slightly lower in the water than the head. It will spray water
out to one side, or both. Favorites on the Delta are dual prop
baits this type has a prop on both ends of the bait and makes,
as would be expected, twice as much commotion on the surface.
This style sits flat in the water at all times. Both types run
fairly straight due to the prop. Both can be worked with a continual
retrieve or jerked through the water to create as much commotion
as wanted in an irregular method or pattern.
Dating back into the 20s, some of the more popular
names in fishing have been prop baits, while several double prop
lures, are made today primarily from hard plastic still my favorites
are the wood models.
Got
Wood? My favorite is by far on the Delta my favorite is the Nipididee,
with origins traced back as far as A.H. Kaufman of Nappanee, Indiana,
built these surface baits in the 1930s. Some believe this is a
forerunner to South Bend's later "Nipididee" lures that
were quite similar. Now made by Luhr Jensen ( www.luhrJensen.com
) of Hood Oregon.
Working this prop bait in a jerk-jerk-pause action
will entice many bass to explode on them. By varying the speed
and aggression of the jerk, one can vary the action to what the
fish demand. My favorite Colors include Perch, Shad and the Ol’
favorite Red and White.
These are often overlooked but still great post
spawn bait! There are several different ways to work these surface
churning wonders. The best retrieve is to keep the lure from moving
more than an inch or so. After casting the lure as close to the
cover as possible, let the ripples subside. Then with a short
twitch of the rod, pop the lure from side to side. It is similar
to a walk the dog presentation. Pause between several twitches
of the lure. There are occasions, when the wind is blowing or
there are overcast skies when some anglers prefer moving the lure
with big pops or jerks of the rod causing the lure to move a foot
or more.
Boat position is important in the areas where I fish due to the
tidal flow of the river and many cuts of the Delta. The best way
to present the bait is with the tide. To do this position the
boat down river from the target and cast the lure up river. If
needed let the lure the drift to the target. Begin to work the
lure parallel and as close to the target as possible. Often a
key area is the very front of the target. This is where the current
brings the baitfish around the target. Bass often face away from
the shore on the points between the rocks and weeds waiting to
ambush there prey.
Beyond the positioning there is still the mental game the plays
a huge role in any topwater fishing, waiting to set the hook.
With sudden gnarly strikes, it is hard to condition the mind and
body to wait until the lure disappears before setting the hook.
Mental sharpness will help you avoid this mistake. You can bet
one thing; if you set the hook to quickly you will miss the fish
every time. Sighting strikes will cause an instinctive jerk. After
30 years, I still get caught off guard. Wait about a second before
you set the hook. Patience on the hook set is also important when
the fish miss the bait or boil under the bait. To really stay
mentally focused and not jerk the lure away from the fish is key.
Continue working the lure with a determined rhythm. The bass will
often return with a bad attitude. If you do have a lapse and snatch
the lure away from the fish, return a Ball Breaker or Trixie Shad
to the area. Often the fish will engulf the follow up bait.
Most of us agree that we would rather catch one fish on top than
five on the bottom, unless that deep bite is better quality. Still,
I do love to catch fish on topwater lure, much of the time from
now through fall topwater fish are larger on average than others
when fishing ambush point cover. Bait and healthy bright weedlines
often point the way to prime bass fishing. Take the time to locate
the prime areas for prop baits. They are an exciting way to catch
fish.
Enjoy!
Dan
Mathisen
FishDelta.com
- All Species, All Delta
The
Ultimate Resource For California Delta Fishing
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