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Posts: 55
| Looking to purchase a couple new top water lures. I mainly throw walk the dog and have a preference for vipers but I am looking to add some new baits to the arsenal. Would love to hear your opinions on Hawg Wobbler vs. Wolly Pog and The Undertow.
Thanks! |
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Posts: 192
| Hawg wobbler is my top pick because it has more of a swoosh then the others |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | +1 for the Hawg, if you can slow down this is a great bait. |
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Location: sneaking out to get on the water ;-) | done alright with the hawg wobbler but haven't had the opportunity to try the others |
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Posts: 72
| Fishstick HD , water mocassin, and one eyed willies are all killer walk the dog baits . Looking forward to trying out the big mama |
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Posts: 2097
| Even though it is not a walk the dog, the bucher top raider is legendary. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Weagle. |
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Posts: 574
| Hawg Wobblers work.. So do LeeLure Top H20s.. Similar wiggle, little quiter, but the fish eat them both.. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | Both Hawg wobblers and Wolly Pogs are great slow (did I mention SLOW) retrieve baits. The Wolly Pog has a bigger profile and is louder than a hawg wobbler and can be purchased with some cool custom paint jobs:) That Nimmer guy who makes 'em is real swell...I always like talking to him at the shows! |
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Posts: 55
| I bought a water mocassin last year and it looked great in the water, but I di dnot use it nearly enough....you know how it is, you tend to get stuck on a couple select baits on a trip and forget to get to the others....I will use it more this year. Thanks to all on the advice.....I will check out some of the other recommendations that were sent. |
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| When do you throw a wtd vs a prop bait? |
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Posts: 57
Location: Janesville wi | Looking forward to trying this out this year got it late in the season last year but did catch some fish. I've used the smaller versions and they are killer on bass,and esox.
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Posts: 313
Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | All black husky hawg wobbler. Buy more than one. You'll catch enough on the first one to want to retire it pretty quickly. Get them tuned properly and you can run them much faster than most people think. The best ones are heavily used and chewed up, soak up a little water when the wood gets exposed and run even better. I've also noticed that hawgs bite hawgs, and I mean eat them. No fooling around, solid bites. Lots of other topwaters get action but poor hookups, hookups are great fishing hawgs. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | Any tips on tuning a hog wobbler? If I run mine faster than a crawl it flips on its side. |
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Posts: 661
Location: Sussex, NJ | Hey MD75 how much do you like the wolly pog? How much louder compared to the hawg wobbler? I'm debating on buying one |
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| Any advice for a fish following a hawg wobbler with its nose right up on the bait? I had this happen a couple of times last year. Saw the fish right behind it, mid-way through the retrieve. They followed right up to the boat and bolted when I attempted to go into a figure 8.
Keep it slow and steady? Speed it up slightly? give it a short rip? Stop it?
Thanks |
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| Guest - 2/26/2013 9:53 PM
Any advice for a fish following a hawg wobbler with its nose right up on the bait? I had this happen a couple of times last year. Saw the fish right behind it, mid-way through the retrieve. They followed right up to the boat and bolted when I attempted to go into a figure 8.
Keep it slow and steady? Speed it up slightly? give it a short rip? Stop it?
Thanks
Twitch twitch.......BOOM |
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Posts: 434
Location: Omaha, Nebraska | The Nimmer Swimmer Undertow is my go to topwater bait out of those. I prefer it over the Hawg Wobbler any day. It has an awesome action and sounds a lot better than Hawg Wobblers. It can be worked at a steady pace or extremely slow, either way works. Great around bait. |
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Posts: 2269
Location: SE, WI. | MD; I push the lip all the way up to the screw eye to get some speed on the hawg wobbler, also make sure it is squared off. If it still rolls, loosen the screw eye at the joint a turn at a time to get a different tracking action. My wallypog caught nothing,never raised a fish on them, alot more action on a hogwobbler for me!!!  |
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Posts: 2097
| Zora spook. |
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Posts: 55
| Nolan - 2/26/2013 6:34 PM
When do you throw a wtd vs a prop bait?
I may not have it right, as I am relatively new to Musky fishing (but definetely addicted to it)....I throw walk the dog all throughout the day if conditions are right, but will throw top raider etc in the evening/dark. |
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Location: 31 | FIBpride35 - 2/27/2013 10:15 AM Nolan - 2/26/2013 6:34 PM When do you throw a wtd vs a prop bait? I may not have it right, as I am relatively new to Musky fishing (but definetely addicted to it )....I throw walk the dog all throughout the day if conditions are right, but will throw top raider etc in the evening/dark. When I get follows without interest on a prop bait I consider switching to a wtd. If you like the walk the dog surface baits, you should try a chugger. A good one will have a side to side action on top of the chugging. You can really wreck them sometimes on chugger when nothing else is working...
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Posts: 921
Location: Apollo, PA | BIG MAMA TOPWATERS |
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Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | Guest - 2/26/2013 9:53 PM
Any advice for a fish following a hawg wobbler with its nose right up on the bait? I had this happen a couple of times last year. Saw the fish right behind it, mid-way through the retrieve. They followed right up to the boat and bolted when I attempted to go into a figure 8.
Keep it slow and steady? Speed it up slightly? give it a short rip? Stop it?
Thanks
"Burp" it. In other words like the poster right after you stated twitch. The burp is nothing more than a very slight, sharp pull of the rod as you continue to reel. It will cause the bait to actually "burp" if you will. |
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Location: Minneapolis | Favorite size hawg wobbler? |
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Posts: 2015
| Nolan - 2/26/2013 6:34 PM
When do you throw a wtd vs a prop bait?
There are no absolutes in musky fishing; but here is my experience. WTD will consistently catch muskie in a wider range of water temps (produce in colder water). I've boated many nice fish on WTD with water temps 45-55 both spring and fall, I have a hard time getting fish to move on prop-baits in sub 60 degree water. When water temps drop below 45, there are generally more productive presentations than top-water (again no absolutes). WTD is still very effective mid-summer...they just tend to not hook quite as well as prop-baits (i actually have a good hooking % on WTD though) When you get water temps 65-75 there are certain lakes that prop baits can be on fire, LOTW and some MN lakes are a great example. In both WTD and prop..Experiment with "sound" - I've seen days when a TopRaider isn't producing and a Water Chopper or Pacemaker is on fire....Same thing with WTD ..I have a preference for a Weagle in chop, and often find a Fishstick in calm(er) conditions...BUT the fish will tell you and some of this it function/build of bait when you look to what to throw in heavy chop. I highly recommend giving both styles of baits time in chop/wind....do fish eat topwater dead calm? Sure.. but IMO - they are 5x better in chop. So the short winded version: My choice comes down to:
1) Water temps
2) Lake that I'm fishing (experience)
3) Summer - Letting the fish show you what they prefer
Good luck no more exciting way to catch muskie than on top! |
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Location: Contrarian Island | a guy could probably have about 10 topwaters and cover all the bases...
from sheer numbers of fish caught on them, a few of the must haves imo
topraider, chopper, throw in a twistd sistr for good measure
weagle, fish stick, one eye willy, and maybe a baby weagle
mix in a wolly pog, hawg wobbler and if you can get one rylure wobbler
always good to have some metallic sounding baits like a rough runner or a globe
get a few creepers large and small and you are set.... go cast! |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | fishfirst92 - 2/26/2013 7:32 PM
Hey MD75 how much do you like the wolly pog? How much louder compared to the hawg wobbler? I'm debating on buying one
I like it a lot...you can definitely notice the difference in sound between the two baits. I also like the wider profile of the Wolly Pog. They are both great baits... |
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Posts: 661
Location: Sussex, NJ | MD75 - 2/27/2013 5:30 PM
I like it a lot...you can definitely notice the difference in sound between the two baits. I also like the wider profile of the Wolly Pog. They are both great baits...
Cool thanks man. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on one |
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Posts: 620
Location: Seymour, WI | You could probably buy 3 Hawg Wobblers for the price of a Polly Wog. They are great baits and fish catchers. You can tweak them like any surface bait, but most of them work great right out of the box. At the end of a long day on the water I usually have a HW snapped on as the sun is setting.
Grass, |
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Posts: 1141
Location: NorthCentral WI | If you don't have a Topraider you need (at least) one.
Personally, hawg wobblers are too slow for me and most of them are a real p.i.a. to get on and off the leader. Kind of an inside joke amongst friends... I hate them, few of my buddies like them a lot. Although I've never seen them catch a fish on one. |
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Posts: 1760
Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn | Hawg wobblers , ran painfully slow. Agreed, the chewed up one's run even better. If they're rolling on you you're fishing em too fast.. leave the red bull at home and relax. Definitely a bait for the back of the boat, or unless you're both in slow down mode. If you want to drive a hyper partner nuts , throw one from the front of the boat. If it's a top water bite, top raider or pacemaker leads . Then hawg wobbler or creeper follows .
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Posts: 388
Location: Northern Illinois | I think Top Raiders, Weagles, and Hawg Wobblers would top my list an all have their time and place with slghtly different functions.
1. Top Raiders can cover alot of ground and find agressive fish.
2. Weagles can be worked fast or slow - but say medium speed. They move alot of water, get alot of attention and look like a relatively easy meal. Heavy too, for good hookups.
3. Hawg Wobblers are super slow, but I would say are the best for throwing in a calm conditions when fish aren't that aggressive. Try one as the sun is going down on a quiet bay sometime and hang on... They can also catch just about any fish in the lake. This is one of my favorite lures. I've caught fish on all three sizes. If attaching a leader is a problem, just leave a split ring on it. Don't give up on the Hawg Wobbler! |
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Posts: 1224
Location: Okoboji | anybody else catch a ton of big bass fishing muskie topwaters? |
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Posts: 300
| Just wondering if any of you have tried Big Fork's Papa Chubby? |
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Posts: 29
Location: new berlin | If I had to pick just one top water lure for my arsenal it would have to be a Headbanger no offense to these slow moving baits that are so quiet compared to the headbanger. When I go up north its great since not one bait shop has one thus majority of fish havent seen one or been caught by one before truly is an outstanding bait, talk about noise this bait my family can hear from our cabin when I'm fishing down the shore line. While my gf is using a topraider or creeper the headbanger totally over powers her lures noise and fish can only concentrate on my lure that is also spitting water as high as a foot  so a must have bait in any tackle box
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Posts: 55
| Martin and JC talked about needing patience and just how slow the Hawg Wobbler has too be worked....it is one of the main reasons I don't have one to date and the main reason I am torn on buying one so I started this thread to get input. I have zero patience and it is a bit of an inside joke with my buddy who throws his Hawg Wobbler almost daily on our trips. To that point the thing drove me so crazy that I often joked that I was going to smash it with the boat oar on his retrieve becuase he was movin it sooooo slow and the sound drove me nuts....LOL. However, I have seen first hand how productive that lure is for him. I guess it is time to swallow my pride and purchase the Hawg Wobbler.....The down side is that I will have to listen to his big mouth everytime I pull it out of the box since I spent so many years bad mouthing it! Oh well, it will just add some laughs to the trip! |
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Posts: 2024
| Fish it from the front of the boat to really pee him off then. |
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Posts: 1348
Location: Pewaukee, WI | lose the Hawg Wobbler and get yourself a Lee Lures Top H2o! |
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Posts: 84
| FIBpride35 - 3/8/2013 9:42 AM
Martin and JC talked about needing patience and just how slow the Hawg Wobbler has too be worked....it is one of the main reasons I don't have one to date and the main reason I am torn on buying one so I started this thread to get input. I have zero patience and it is a bit of an inside joke with my buddy who throws his Hawg Wobbler almost daily on our trips. To that point the thing drove me so crazy that I often joked that I was going to smash it with the boat oar on his retrieve becuase he was movin it sooooo slow and the sound drove me nuts....LOL. However, I have seen first hand how productive that lure is for him. I guess it is time to swallow my pride and purchase the Hawg Wobbler.....The down side is that I will have to listen to his big mouth everytime I pull it out of the box since I spent so many years bad mouthing it! Oh well, it will just add some laughs to the trip! : )
I was thinking of giving a certain "floating spoon" the same boat oar treatment if it shows up this summer.... lol |
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Posts: 62
| I tend to agree with the hawg wobler side, vs the polly wog. with out a doubt a proven producer. And especially as Grass said,I have also seen way more fish on a H.G. than a P. W. and for the rediculously inflated price, the finishes on the nimmer p.w.'s ought to be much more durable.
Tom |
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Posts: 62
| Hey Fibpride,
Another way to look at low patience is the amount of time between seeing fish. If one type of lure is bring fish up a little more often than another type of lure with a different sound, in the long run, your patience is being 'tried' less with the hawg wobbler, in this instance, than another lure that you just happen to be working differently, or faster.Not saying that the H.W. is an hands down outproducer, As any musky lure, it is not going to produce in every condition, but I do recommend having one and giving it a shot at those key times. Like others have noted there's something pretty enjoyable about practically 'lulling' yourself to sleep right at sunset, after a long day of heaving, with the mesmerizing "clip-clop" of a hawg wobbler, only to have the crap jolted out of you with an explosion of water and thrashing! Or equally as fun is watching your buddy literally fall asleep mid-retrieve to the point of a nose-dive into the drink ! |
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Posts: 55
| Tom:
I saw my buddy nose-dive into the drink it would make my entire trip to Canada worthwhile. Heck, I'd probably put away the gear and just drink beer and laugh about it the rest of the vacation!
Len |
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Posts: 944
| Hawg wobblers have been around for a long time for a reason, they are a great fish catching bait.
I like the small size early spring, then use the Husky most or the rest of the season, then use the magnum in the fall.
I have had the most fish on the husky but the biggest on the magnum up to 52.5"
make sure you put bigger hooks on the husky and magnums you will have alot better hook up rate.
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com |
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Posts: 319
Location: Tomahawk,Wis | Nimmers Under tow is the way to go..Can work it slow or at a fast retrieve...
Don't leave home without one or two..
Wally |
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Posts: 441
| I really like the Hawg Wobbler. My partner caught 55 incher, five years ago, on one.
I throw Weagles, a lot. Have had good luck, with them.
I ordered 2 Wolly Pogs, and waiting for them to arrive. Hopefully, it will be another favorite.
I also really like Pacemakers, and Low Riders!! |
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Posts: 605
Location: Marshfield, WI | I also prefer the Undertow. Probably the noisiest bait in the hawg wobbler style.
Krishna
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