The product recommendations on our site are independently chosen by our editors. When you click through our links, we may earn a commission. Thanks for helping us do what we love.

Home Fishing Videos How to Modify Prop Baits for Better Action

How to Modify Prop Baits for Better Action

Walker Smith
Apr 04, 2016

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

Topwater prop baits like the Smithwick Devil’s Horse are an excellent choice for bass from the spawn through the fall months. Elite Series pro Terry Scroggins highlights their effectiveness around specific cover elements like holes in the grass, stumps, or boat docks. Many prop baits make a decent sputter out of the package but tend to move too far on the pull, which takes them out of small strike windows. This simple tweak to the props produces more surface disturbance while reducing the distance the bait moves laterally when worked. This means more action while staying nearer to the piece of cover you suspect a bass to be hanging on.

Walker Smith

An accomplished tournament angler and former fishing guide, Walker Smith has been published in many national and regional publications for well over a decade. His articles and videos have been viewed by millions of people. He has a strong passion for teaching others about fishing while connecting with the human element of fishing as well. When he’s not fishing, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, watching the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs and hunting.