Prop baits,that is. I catch plenty of big fish on them,especially the Devils Horse and Torpedo.So don't get me wrong.I feel I do know how to work them rather well.I use a sharp twitching or ripping retrieve with varying degrees of intensity and or sometimes pauses.Basically the exact same as using a popper,except maybe faster.

Now the question: Has anyone ever caught a fish by just winding these things in steady? To me it is not a buzzbait and it shows very little life or action whatsoever.I have never had a strike in my life by using a prop bait in that manner or seen anyone else either.

Now the reasons I ask: I recall reading articles several times over the years in mags and books saying things such as "Propbaits are the most simple". "You just simply wind them in". For example namely Bassmaster magazine and Homer Circles book Bass Wisdom come to mind first.

I also recently had a discussion with a partner about it and he says that that is how he used to work them but I have yet to see any results whatsoever with that method.It almost makes me laugh to watch.

So what's your take?

I know that when using certain baits that anything goes and anything could potentially catch a fish,but is it the best way?

I am just trying to see if my views of something are broad or narrow.

 

I fish them both ways. I start out with a slow steady retrieve and if I get no takers, then I start with jerks and twitches. I have caught fish both ways. I have caught a few fish on steady retrieve right next to the bank.

Most the time its just jerks and twitches for me, but when the wind is blowing and creating some good surface disturbance, one of my most productive ways to fish a devils horse prop bait has been to almost burn it back to the boat. I have had days where this technique on windy days just killed them.

Basically if the water is calm I will just twitch it. If there's a little wind I will add some jerks, but if it's really choppy water, I will fish it on  straight fast retrieve.  

I use them pretty much the same as the other replies. With the Devil's Horse, I reverse the pitch of one of the props so it spins in the opposite direction of the other. It seems to disturb more water that way.