Topwater Bassin'

[John Sheehan]

The beginning of Summer makes for topwater action and not just after dark with Black Jitterbugs but that's great also .Philips Crippled Killer dual prop  ,Black Jitterbug, Teeny Torpedo and the Floating Rapala (Topwater /subsurface) have all caught Bass  the last few weeks .

Double prop baits have moved into 1st place for my top 7! Work even when windy around shallow cover  .

[John Sheehan]

got a pic of that lure? I hate when lures I like get discontinued !The Acme Shad King Wobbler flutter spoon for instance.

[Allen Morgan]

This one is in Bone.  I have many others, in either Silver/Black or Silver/Blue.  It's the same size as a large Rebel Minnow, and textured like the good Rebel Minnows are textured.

I've found that the stock lure is good for LMB in ponds and lakes.  However, since I've only targeted Stripers and Hybrid Stripers in strong river current, the hooks need to be upgraded.  My "upgrades" are armed with Mustad 2 x short, EWG trebles, with the tail hook dressed with some feathers.

The nice thing about this lure is that it's HEAVY, and tail-weighted.  I can sling this thing a long ways.

[John Sheehan]

Thanks for posting Allen. I 've never seen these .You gave me an idea to try out some of my busted lip diving lures as subtle top water baits .Might be worth a try to see how they look and work.

[Ray Ditzenberger]

I haven't used spinning or baitcasting for years but I still have my 5/8oz black Jitterbug....plop plop plop plop...I also have a black musky Jitterbug that I used at night. Probably an 1 1/4oz. That thing will really make some racket. They were used a lot on Dale Hollow back in the day.

[John Sheehan]

Musky Jitterbug ? You mean the one with a jitterbug lip and a prop at the tail . I have a long bait like that .Is that what you mean?

[Ray Ditzenberger]

The old Arboghast Jitterbug came in multiple sizes. 1/4 and 5/8 oz as I remember. Each had a little different sound. I always like the 5/8 oz better than the 1/4 oz......There was also a real large Jitterbug. It looks just like the regular Jitterbugs only much larger. I don't remember if it was really called the Musky or if that is what I called it. It must be at least 1 1/4oz or maybe larger. It really sets up a racket. The 5/8oz kind of sets up a gurgle but the Musky does a plop plop plop. The front aluminum bill must be about 3" wide. Mine is black of course.

[John Sheehan]

I'll post a pic of my humongous Jitterbug later . I got a Bluegill last night after dark on a Medium size Black Jitterbug .No Bass unfortunately .A few Bullheads .

 

[John Sheehan]

Another fav .Coachdog patterns produce !

[John Sheehan]

Hey Ray- checkout the Heddon Jitterstick (2nd link) with the back prop and the gurgling lip!  . Big time ruckus!! http://bigbluegill.com/photo/topwater-4?context=album&albumId=2...

http://bigbluegill.com/photo/topwater-5?context=album&albumId=2...

 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I like prop baits alot. The visual aspect is compelling.
Even if the fish won't hit them, they are fun to
manipulate and watch!

[John Sheehan]

Stick with them and you'll catch too .You're right ,they ARE  fun to use .Last week out of 5 attacks  on the Philips 'Crippled Killer' I lost one fish ,a dink Bass that took it under for a second .One Bass about 16-17" jumped three times but didn't throw the bait .Another bass that jumped three times finally threw the Joe's Fly single treble ,and single trailer hook .I am having better hookup rates with the Crippled Killer than I ever got on the bigger Zara Spooks .