So, I would like to experiment with a smithwick devils horse and I was just wondering what are the best ways to retrieve the lure? What is most successful for you?

I fish them with about the same motion as a surface popper. To make the lure more effective, reverse the pitch on one of the props so they will turn in opposite directions.

I don't have any Devil's Horse, but I do have a couple of old Heddon Dying Flutters.  I generally fish them aggressively, with a "Wooooosh....1/2 sec. pause...wooosh...1/2 sec. pause...woooosh...longer pause....repeat."  You can always tone it down as well.

Sharp twitches, even just moving the rod or reeling slowly.

Wayne P's advice on reversing one of the props is good. IMHO this bait can be fished any number of ways by alternating the twitches and pauses. The fish will let you know which one they like that day !!!

                            As Ever,

                             skillet

The more ripple on the water, the more commotion you want to make, and vice versa.

Calm conditions, let it lie still until all the ripples fade, move just enough for the slightest ripple, let it lie again, let the ripples die then whoosh, whoosh, whoosh back to the boat.

Windy conditions, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh to the boat. The windier it gets the more agressive the whoosh.

I grew up fishing these with my Grandpa. Like the others say, light on calm, twitch - pause - twitch - twitch. And more erratic with choppier days. But then again try both methods either or. I have caught more fish by far on the 1/2 oz model though. The only ones I keep in my box are the yellow/black (awesome in dead river lakes), and the chrome/black. I used to use a baby bass pattern with silver glitter, but they quit selling them years ago.

Here in FL this is a go to topwater for Bass, and are very popular, just do a search on here for "topwater charlie". Here is how I always rig my devil's horse. First Take the front prop off completely, turn the rear prop around and put a larger treble hook on the back, this will sit the back of the bait a little deeper in the water. Don't ever move the bait by reeling on twitches or pops and make sure you don't tighten the back prop too much or it won't spin. This bait will flat out catch fish and big fish. I like the pencil shaped model more than the one with the fatter head. Just experiment with it. Also I this bait works best in stained or tannic water.

Here in FL this is a go to topwater for Bass, and are very popular, just do a search on here for "topwater charlie". Here is how I always rig my devil's horse. First Take the front prop off completely, turn the rear prop around and put a larger treble hook on the back, this will sit the back of the bait a little deeper in the water. Don't ever move the bait by reeling on twitches or pops and make sure you don't tighten the back prop too much or it won't spin. This bait will flat out catch fish and big fish. I like the pencil shaped model more than the one with the fatter head. Just experiment with it. Also I this bait works best in stained or tannic water.

This is very similar to the way I fish mine except I slightly twist the rear blades a little more so that you can barely "tickle" the lure and the prop will spin effortlessly while the lure basically sits in one place.

 You must twist it like a fanblade and play with it a little until you can lightly blow on the blade from front to rear and make it spin easily.

  It looks just like a dying minnow on top and is a devastating lure.I have caught everything from tiny bluegill,crappie,and 8lb bass on it rigged this way.

  I haven't had much success with both props on or with aggressive retrieves on choppy water. I would normally go with a large bladed loud bait in wind such as a Torpedo with an oversize prop or Johnny Rattler.