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 

They work well in the mid south, not sure about Midwest. I still have one that my grandpa painted with grandma’s nail polish 

I live in Western Mo, and I had a night where I caught double digit number of bass on it. It was this spring around the spawn. My grandfather fished a devils horse on an Ozark Highland Reservoir for 35 years and caught many many bass with them. He was nuts, he'd throw it in 100 degree weather in the middle of the day and still caught fish.

I like double prop baits on our lakes when it's calm out. Seems to get bigger bites than a popper but I fish it in the same situations. I don't use the Devil's Horse, I like the Berkley Spin Rocket for a double prop. 

Prop baits like the Devil's Horse have a unique action and sound.  They are bass magnets.   When retrieved in short jerks, they produce a sound similar to a wounded fish or one under attack. They work everywhere.  Size difference and shape is significant with these lures.  The first prop bait was probably the Creek Chub injured minnow, a great lure even today.  Finesse prop baits like the Heddon Tiny Torpedo are awesome fish catchers on light tackle.   The 4" Smithwick Devil's Horse has it all.  It has the thin shape that bass prefer, it's balanced perfectly and it flat works.  I wouldn't trade one Devil's Horse for a bucket full of Whopper Ploppers.   

I do well with the Dying Flutter which is similar to a Devils Horse. I also have a lot of success with the Yo-Zuri 3DB prop but that is a single rear prop,

In rough water, try a Nip-I-Diddee.  Throw it out, giving it 2-3 hard jerks and wait for the explosion.  

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. 

Another great prop bait is the Bagley Bang O Lure.  It comes in a prop and no prop version.  

 

 

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?

It doesn't work great for me in SC. I've caught a few, but never consistently. This has a ;lot to do with depth and weediness, I believe. If you watch Roland, he wears them out with it, but the water is probably an average of 5-6' deep everywhere.

An anniversary model dated 1997

Still can’t find a Devils Horse

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.

12 minutes ago, Smells like fish said:

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.

They LOVE gold where I fish and a little orange on the belly seems to help.

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

They work great here, esp. in shallower areas with submerged weeds.

I throw it out and let it sit until the ripple is gone. They often clobber it before you even start the retreive. Then short jerks, then short retreives and stops. I cant remember catching one just reeling in with no stops. Came in 2nd in a tournament once ( just missed first ) largely due to the devils horse success that day…

Uhm......About that orange one right in the middle.......

 

I see a mouse, what do you see ?

2 minutes ago, Smells like fish said:

I see a mouse, what do you see ?

Uhhhh where did you get those? Lol

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

Shallow weeds is what we have the most of here in Florida.  If you can't touch bottom with your rod, you're in a hole.  ?

Smithwick co was originally in Louisiana and made several top water prop lures. Devil Horse, Pa Scooter, Ma Scooter, Buck N Brawl* etc. 

The 1st top water prop lures date back around 1900 made in Dowajaic Michigan called Dowajaic’s. Several lure companies made them including Creek Chub and Shakespeare. CCB wooden Injured Minnow is a 40’s and 50’s era before being made in plastic. It’s the wooden lures that have the action that made these lures so good.

Top water prop lures work everywhere there are bass.

Tom

* my all time favorite top water lure..

The Devils Horse has been working in south Louisiana for decades. It's one of my favorites.  I've had them in my tackle box since I was a kid and I'm 69 years old.

 

 

 

 

Punchin

Frog

Prop baits

It is true, those baits In that order have won more money, tournaments and produced more personal bests than any other combination of baits down here than anything else. Period 

 

OP
If you hone your skills and learn your waters, you can use those anywhere in the country with similar conditions. 
There are some modifications and variations to each you can do, but even used as designed and intended there are none better. 
 

There aren’t any one trick pony type baits when fishing for bass. 
Don’t pigeon hole yourself thinking there is. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

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