Smells like fish

Welcome to BR

Here is some things I’ve read about these lures… of the hundreds I’ve saw over the years most had cracked or missing paint. One guy suspected it was from water entering the balsa at the screw in points and expanding the wood making the paint to crack and eventually flake off. So I’m gonna add extra clear coat to the screw in points. A YouTube vid suggested taking the rear screw from the front hook hardware and rotating the hook hardware more toward the head to balance the lure (maybe for the added size 4 hook on rear) The hook hardware will then screw the front screw into where the eyes are on the lure. I also saw a suggestion of removing the front prop entirely (kind of like a Heddon Torpedo) I also read of painting an all white lure with a light pink to light red stripe on the belly of the lure. Many guys spoke of altering the blades until a desired sound is made. Maybe it is as easily achieved as reversing the rear prop (or maybe not)? I wish you guys could explain in words what you are looking for as far as sound? As already mentioned on page 1 by N Florida Mike it seems it will be best to work this lure by using it as a twitch bait. Small 6” to 1’ movements and getting hit on the pause. Roland Martin has quite a few videos on this lure and that is his technique he uses Roland says no braid and no fluro and prefers 20 lb mono to keep the line from getting in the front prop. He uses a Bimini twist knot for added security for this. I am gonna try just 17-20 mono leader on my braid and if I have any trouble I am gonna add a bobber stop or 2 on the line in front of the prop.

I ran into lots of Devils Horses today, first a yard sale guy had maybe 2 dozen assorted ones which were the old stock ones and asked $15 each… I didn’t buy any but might go offer him $10 tomorrow as there was spotted ape and several old colors I had never seen before. Made a run to cabelas and bought new ones and some red gammies. I threadlocked the screws 1 of them wasn’t nearly seated and needed 7-8 more turns to just go flush. I put hyper wire 3 split rings on front hooks and a 4 on the rear with all ewg trebles. Size 6 on front and middle and a 4 on the rear. I felt it better to clip off the stock back hook than open the eye and close it back. I plan to make up quite a few variations along with round bend models and play around as we fishermen do… I think they look so good I’d bite, what do you think?

Me n monkey made a run to Cow Bellows

Getting good topwater and wake bites currently and am looking at the Jackall Gantarel which is a 6.25” 2.5 oz swimbait/ glide/ wake. Is July a productive time to buy and use this lure for big bites when the topwater bite is on?

Sadly I’m in the same boat so to speak as CrankFate and DitchPanda. But that’s why I joined this site. The fishest fishermen I know are you guys.

A big Spro Rat. You know you want that topwater big fish.

Split rings on yours?

I found these 3 so far, I’ll have to change out the hooks. I plan on checking a few shops this weekend to see if any is available. The monkey said he’d help me…

Thank you @desmobob and @gunsinger. Is there a fav color of these lures that’s suggested? TW has one color in 1/2oz and 6 in 3/8oz

I checked there as well as lure net earlier today and there wasn’t a single product under prop lures lol

I am not seeing a good source online for these either. Still seems like a lot of lures are unavailable and sold out. Does anybody know if Walmart carries these? I know in the past I have seen the Devils Horse there

What a sight it is to reel in a lil bank runner size bass with the end of that sticking outta his mouth. Call him a few fitting names and catch another lol

I see a mouse, what do you see ?

Here’s a big prop I’d bet would get smashed… I found some dying flutters, Crazy Shad, Johnny Rattlers, Dalton Twists and several oddball names… witch doctor, blabber mouth, and more than a dozen I can’t identify I have some of those Bang O’s including a couple with the props @Captain Phil I have caught on them years ago but haven’t had them wet in a long time

You won’t find the fish catching colors of yesteryear on today’s newest lures lol I would like to see a company bring these out on today’s top producing lures. Here’s my personal fav lures A.C. Shiners balsa baits out of Ohio.

An anniversary model dated 1997 Still can’t find a Devils Horse

Here’s some of my older props which are to be used. There’s a lot of these known well in your area Phil. Sam Griffin the king of topwater from your area. I’ve never found a way to keep that white mold from growing on some of these old ones such as creek chubs, skip jacks, etc anybody know a way?

I have accumulated several prop lures but really haven’t let them have their day yet. I had forgot about that Berkeley prop lure, I bought one of those after seeing you mention it previously. I know I have a couple Devils Horse I just have to find them. I saw Roland using them and sonnnn he always makes a good showing with the Devils Horse.

If I have the right lure on (Ned or crappie) I enjoy throwing to frogs. They really look embarrassed by the incident after it has occurred and my hook is in their face ?

I’ve served the Sweet Sue 24 lb turkey in a 10 gallon can the last 3 years at Thanksgiving. Nobody showed up last year. Thinking of throwing a big bbq for the 4th and picking up a 800 lb drum of the Sweet Sue sautéed steer to dangle over the fire.

I am getting an itch for some prop bites. I was wondering how successful the Devils Horse by Smithwick is in the midwest or in northern waters? Lakes, ponds rivers in deep water reservoirs? How do you describe your retrieves and action working this lure? Any tips or mods? Thanks

You can go to Wally mart and buy a Strike King swimming jig in a plastic pack for $2.97… it includes a rage trailer. Tie it on throw it out, let it hit bottom and reel it in with a stop n go. I caught 3 this evening in half an hour on it.

I got to try the size 50 for the first time this evening. On the first cast as soon as it landed I had my biggest rat blow up but no hook up. Ended up catching 3 small guys and then went to a swim jig for 3 more. I will go back to the size 40 during the next session. I’m loving that rat twitch!