I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice on which wake baits they use and why they prefer them? I've seen a few used and worked really well. If you can provide weight length surface V or subsurface make model and ball park price.

Lucky Craft BDS3 $16.99

Spro baby fat john $12.99

Jackall makes some good wake baits also.

MS Slammer 7 or 9 inch, 1.5 to 2.5 ounces, surface or subsurface, 37 to around 50 dollars. 

 

Excited to try the new Arashi wake bait, it looks great!

I just got a couple of the new Rapala BX Wake Minnows. I really like the action on them, and they cast a mile. 

First off, price wise your options are unlimited.  BPS makes a nice 2" size wakebait for about $4, then you have the Manns 1 minus for about $6, All depends on what you're looking to do. Have all the above mentioned except the new BX Wake minnow which is really perking my interest as I like the idea of a wake minnow style bait.  Also have the Live Target both Bluegill models as well as the Tilapia and blueback herring.  What are you looking to do, price range you're wanting to go, and size?  If you give us those, we can probably help narrow your search.

The egg

Too many baits advertised as "wake" baits go subsurface. Those baits can work great in shallows or over weeds, but are not true wakes.

 

I really like the SK Wake Shad (not King Shad) as a true wake bait. It is big but even smaller fish bite it. Great swim action that calls fish up. Always wakes at top and floats so pauses and twitches are possible.

 

I will warn you that the bill is fragile so be careful not to smack it on hard objects. The joints hold up fine.

I'm looking for more of a surface baits style. Was excited to see the Arashi as well. I currently have a live target which is subsurface and a few manns baits mostly made for redfish that stay above surface. I'll try to post a pic if the one I'm mostly looking for. Looking for baits 6" or less. Cost not a huge factor.

After this weekend trying soft body frogs for the first time. I would go as far to say, I consider them a wake bait. If you just do a constant retrieve with rod tip up, the body and legs produce a nice subtle wake along the surface. It's also weedless. Just an idea for another option.

The Bandit Footloose is a nice cheap option, but they are smaller and catch everything. If you can find a Bagley's Bulgin' B, they are bulkier and really weed out the dinks.  They can get expensive though...

I like the Offshore Angler Wake Baits from Bass Pro Shops (their saltwater house brand.) Bigger than the egg and run a bit better, all for under 5 bucks.

The live targets get about 6-10" down if you really try to.  But 6" isn't really a problem.  SK has a series 3XS which wll run about the same depth up to about a foot.  Or you could go a bit bigger and fish one of the MS Mini Slammer which would gives you both a bigger wake bait but also one that will run just under the surface which I believe runs right about $35-40.

I have an Ima Roumba but have not thrown it. Does that stay up and truly wake?

 

I need to try it but I prefer wakes with a joint that swim.

 

R2S makes a jointed V-wake but that goes under unless reeled very slowly.

 

G2 Shellcrack catches big fish too if you can find one.

oh and forgot, the LC RC 1.5 is an awsome wakebait that stays right on the surface.  That one and the Wakeshad I think are the two that I have found that are truly wakebaits in my line up of shallow baits.

I can't wait for new arshai wake crank

I have an Ima Roumba but have not thrown it. Does that stay up and truly wake?

I need to try it but I prefer wakes with a joint that swim.

R2S makes a jointed V-wake but that goes under unless reeled very slowly.

G2 Shellcrack catches big fish too if you can find one.

the roumba wakes with a slow to medium retrieve, its one of my favorites. I use it in all situations, it calls them up in deep water too.

Never been much of a wake bait guy but, I have tried the Black Dog Shellcracker which I though was pretty decent, and MTB sent me a River2Sea S-Waver which I've been tossing around, haven't caught anything on it yet, but I like the action of it. Tried the Live Target Wakebait in Bluegill and Pumpkinseed colors - was happy with it (although I am a live target fan overall so..perhaps I am biased). 

Its amazing how different my perspective is. The only bait mentioned so far that I would consider a wakebait is the MS Slammer.

Its amazing how different my perspective is. The only bait mentioned so far that I would consider a wakebait is the MS Slammer.

 

Yeah, for my particular area a bait that big is probably not going to get much action - bass in Delaware are not very big - a tournament bag of 18-20 lbs will win it for you on basically every lake except for a rare few up north on the PA line. Your listed PB fish is higher than our state record by 2-3 lbs for example haha.  

I like the Offshore Angler Wake Baits from Bass Pro Shops (their saltwater house brand.) Bigger than the egg and run a bit better, all for under 5 bucks.

 

I just ordered 2, thanks for the recommendation . 

Crankbait Style  - Rapala DT Fat 1 is a good choice. My favorite was discontinued about 5 years back which is the Xcalibur Wake Crank, very explosive strikes. I wish they would bring this bait back . The Jackall Cherry Zero footer 56 is a nice finesse crank for this application as well . 

 

 

 

Swimbait Style - The 316 Wake Jr. and the MS Slammer are both proven producers. 

If you can get one that runs right....the Redfin.

Yeah, for my particular area a bait that big is probably not going to get much action - bass in Delaware are not very big - a tournament bag of 18-20 lbs will win it for you on basically every lake except for a rare few up north on the PA line. Your listed PB fish is higher than our state record by 2-3 lbs for example haha.  

 

 

Fish that size will have no trouble eating a slammer and just like any other bait some days it works and some days it does not. If the big baits are not being used around you, you are at a distinct advantage.