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Posts: 25
Location: London | Thanks for the great response to my post on favourite topwater propbaits.
Moving the subject on a bit, it'd be good to narrow the choice of propbait down according to conditions, as one poster did.
So, is it just a case of the bigger the 'chop' the bigger the bait needed, or are some propbaits better suited than others to windy conditions?
The different sound of each bait was mentioned a few times. If this is as an important factor as many think could it be that the sound of some travel further in noisy (choppy) conditions than others?
Seb
Edited by Seb 3/31/2004 9:58 AM
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Posts: 827
Location: Minneapolis,Minnesota | I think the best "chop" water bait has to be the large Pacemaker. It makes a hell of a lot of noise, has a large profile and most important IMHO is that you have to use a slower retrieve with this bait to get it to run the best. I think this makes it easier for a fish to eat after the loud clacking draws her in.
Other good chop waters are Thunderheads, Low-riders and globes. I've also had a lot of action on the Topraider but seems the fish have a hard time finding it in the chop. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | The mag lowrider is byfar the best rough water topwater I've ever used. For a little less chop 6"- 1' the new Tsunami or the mag stomper were very good for me. I prefer the larger lowrider and Tsunami as they've produced best for me. |
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Posts: 158
Location: Eagan, MN | I don't think a topwater has to be very loud to be used in choppy conditions, but I'm sure it can help at times. Muskies are a lot more tuned in to their environment than we may think. A few years back my brother and I were night fishing when a thunderstorm caught us by surprise. One minute calm - five minutes later 2-3 waves, raining, lightning, dark as h3ll. I'm pulling up the trolling motor getting ready to head for shore, just as he nails a mid 30 incher on a Jitterbug! I don't know how the fish found that bait, but it did.
I'm still looking for my first hard & fast rule when it comes to muskies.
If a loud, obnoxious topwater gives you confidence in big waves, use it. |
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Posts: 354
| I tend to agree.....I've read numerous times over the years how flaptails are best suited
or "only" suited for flat, calm, conditions. I know of numerous times when the fish found
the bait easily in a good chop. I like the supertopraider best in a big chop but wouldn't
hesitate to use others. I've read recently that Dick Pearson prefers the pacemaker and
I know of one guide who loves the slammer thunderhead in a big chop. I tend to think
why not make it easy for them; the bigger and louder the better but I don't think its
the only thing which will work. |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | There's only 2 prop baits I pull out of the box on "choppy" days.....Slammer Thunderhead and Bucher Top Raider. I've had great success with both.
The thin body prop baits like the Teaser Tail ,Twin TeaserTail and Tally Wackers just dont cut it. |
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Posts: 32932
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Rough is fine, it really doesn't matter what surface bait you are using. I have caught numerous muskies on Flaptail baits like the Dog Turd in 2 foot seas with white caps. I have also caught numerous fish on baits like Thunderheads and Pacemakers in calm conditions. Sound/vibration travels through water at 16 football fields per second, so a bait that may seem quiet isn't in reality. Just the leader cutting the water can be heard over the wave action pretty well.
I especailly like the big Buzzers like the Violent Strike when it is really blowing because they are not effected by the wave action at all and always run well no matter what, so it's not necessary to 'watch' the bait into the boat like a Jackpot. |
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