I tried out a Heddon Torpedo this morning, my first time using a prop bait. I wanted a smaller profile on a topwater I could just cast and wind. However, it just rolled over constantly and put a ton of twist in my line. Any tips on making sure the prop spins freely without the bait rolling? I was throwing it on spinning gear - Medium Moderate rod with 15lb braid.

You typically would not just cast and wind a Torpeedo.  Use twitches, sweeps, and walk the dog retrieves.

57 minutes ago, J Francho said:

You typically would not just cast and wind a Torpeedo.  Use twitches, sweeps, and walk the dog retrieves.

Oh really? And does the prop turn and churn on those kinds of retrieves? How is it different from a spook or popper, then?

Little different splash, and there's a bit more noise with the blades.  I often use a quick spook retrieve.  You'll know you have it when you hear a steady click-click-click.

BTW, the bait does roll even when the prop spins freely. If you want to reduce line twist try a small swivel a foot or foot and a half up the line. I, personally, don't really mind the line twist. I just let the bait spin back the other way when I lift the bait out of the water. Also make sure the prop spins freely out of water. Sometimes the rear eye is on too tight. 

What size Torpedo are you using? Tiny Torpedo has always been problematic for rolling due to prop torque. Baby Torpedo is 3/8 oz and tends to roll less. I haven't fished either for a long time because of always tunning the prop to work good. You bend the prop back a little and spin it so it doesn't hit the rear hook and spins freely when blowing on it.

You can retrieve without stop and go' if you keep the speed slower. Stopping a top water and pausing every 4' to 5' creates a lot of strike from followers.

Tom

I catch a lot of fish on both straight retrieve and stop/go retrieve. I add extra weight to the belly hook to prevnt any rolling on my tiny and baby torpedos.

2 hours ago, WRB said:

What size Torpedo are you using?

Baby Torpedo. I might try playing with the prop - I don't think mine spins when you blow on it!

I forget what size is what on them but the very small size (1.5"???) stinks like you say.

One of the largest fish to come across the rail of my boat was taken by a Tiny Torpeedo.  8-11 from Lake Moultrie.

I used to fish Torpedo's a lot. My PB Smallmouth was on a Tiny Torpedo. Not sure why I stopped fishing them to be honest but I am guessing it is due to just liking a spook, plopper or buzzbait more when I go topwater.

 

A small thing that I used to do on some of mine was to experiment with bending the blades back ever so slightly. It changed the sound, water displacement and the blades seemed to spin easier.

Like everyone else said play with the props, also change up the retrieve. There's something about the baby torpedo (3/8oz)the smallies go crazy for around here. The one they seem to respond most to is cast it out let the ripples fade, then slowly do small side sweeps. This will pull the torpedo forward and depending on how you have the props it might only move a few inches. 

Use a small barrel swivel if you want to wind the torpedo in. You can do twitches with it still using a barrel swivel.

I caught bass all day last fall on a torpedo and they wanted it retrieved steadily. I could probably have used a buzzbait but I was on the kayak and my buzzbait was back at the truck. You should be able to reel it back without it spinning, though it might turn on one side. Catching fish with it can bend the propeller. I had to bend it back several times. Weeds so small you can barely see them can also foul the prop.

Check the props like others have said. The prop could be acting like a rudder if it isn’t turning correctly.