(Top to bottom): Heddon Baby Torpedo, Yo-Zuri 3D Prop, Smithwick Devil’s Horse, Heddon Spin’N Image, Boy Howdy, Berkley Spin Rocket.
April 30, 2025
By Steve Wayne
Spring and early summer are great times to fish propbaits. When bluegills and other sunfish are on shallow spawning beds, bass are hair-trigger ready to pounce on any surface commotion. Floating propbaits, with their one or more whirling propellers, are all about commotion.
There are different types of propbaits to choose from. Single props, double props, and “plopper” styles all can be effective at various times. Added to the equation are various materials that the propellers are made of, lending to different sounds and actions.
A single propbait has a metal or plastic propeller on the tail of the bait, where it creates a subtle but attractive splashing action when worked on top of the water. This is a great choice when a subtle action is preferred in calm water. There is no wrong retrieve for this bait. A jerk-pause is the most common retrieve, varying the length of the pause depending on what fish prefer. Adjust your retrieve until you get a hit or catch a fish and try to repeat your jerk-pause sequence. Popular single propbaits include the Heddon Torpedo and Rapala Skitter Prop , both with metal blades. The Yo-Zuri 3D Prop uses a single polycarbonate plastic prop that creates a unique sound that is appealing to pressured fish.
Yo-Zuri 3D Prop and a matching shad coughed up by a bass. Double propbaits feature two propellers, one at the front and one at the tail. These will create a little more commotion than a single propeller. One unique attribute: Because of the resistance from the two propellers, a double propbait can almost be worked in place without moving it away from fish. This can be deadly in the spring when fishing around spawning bass. A slow retrieve with extra-long pauses can drive bass crazy. Popular double propbaits include a Smithwick Devil’s Horse , Cotton Cordell Boy Howdy , and Rapala X-Rap Prop all with metal propellers, and a Berkley Spin Rocket with two clear, cupped plastic propellers.
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Plopper style propbaits have a single plastic tail that creates a unique splashing and gurgling sound at a steady reeling pace. They have a tremendous drawing power. Just cast and reel straight and bass will often annihilate the lure. Plopper style baits are a great way to cover water at a quick pace to find active bass. Popular plopping style lures include the River 2 Sea Whopper Plopper , Berkley Choppo , and the new Heddon Spin N Image .
Silver, or chrome, is a popular propbait finish in Florida as it can replicate a shad, minnow, or other baitfish. Black and gold is another good option as it can easily imitate the wild shiners that many Florida bass feed upon. When fishing around spawning bluegill beds or in small ponds, a bluegill color can provoke explosive hits from bass.
Spin Rocket propellor-style bass lure. Topwater lures are one of the easiest lures to fish and one of the most productive. They can be an excellent way to catch Florida bass. There is no wrong way to fish it. Cast it out and twitch your bait with a variety of pauses. You may catch the trophy Florida bass of a lifetime.
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This article was featured in the April 2025 issue of Florida Sportsman magazine. Click to subscribe
