Fly Rod Prop/sputter Bait

[BilletHead]

After seeing the bait Gavin posted I knew I wanted to try to make one. It is a inch and a half main body with an overall length of four inches. No hook in the tail. It weighs the same as the poppers I have made of the same size. The kitchen sink float test looks good. Now I need to get it on a pond. Have another one in the works a bit larger. A pain in the rear to make I think. Might get easier the more you do working out the kinks. May be the only ones I make though.

BilletHead

[ness]

Looking good. Let us know how it fishes.

I'm liking the stipple effect a lot. Gonna give a try myself. Hoping it's not too time consuming.

[BilletHead]

Tried it out this morning. Man it looks and works great in the water. Sorry for the junk photos. Did not take the good camera out with us.

This thing spits from the front and sputters from the back. Depending on how hard you strip it will walk the dog too while it is doing everything else. Needless to say I am very pleased. Only thing is the fish did not cooperate Lots of minnow fry out and about, maybe too many. Once and a while a fish would chase one up but never really splash the surface. East wind sometimes becoming calm at times. Had to put up catching a few of these so it was not a complete bust. They hit a bluegill bug on a slow sink. Not too aggressive.

Enjoyed watching Mrs. BilletHead cast.

Doesn't get much better spending time with your spouse even if fishing isn't too good,

BilletHead

[Flysmallie]

That looks really good. I haven't been working on any like I should but this has inspired me to get back at it.

[Gavin]

Looks good...I like the design...angled front to splash a bit more water...The grinder can be great at times...but I'd want a back hook...Daytime hits are about 80/20 on the back hook...Night time...usually when I fish it...Front hook 90% of the time.

[mic]

Two thumbs up.

[BilletHead]

Thanks for the comments and input. Yes Gavin I would like the rear hook too. So far my internal wire rigging has not impressed me, meaning support for the rear hook. My wire bending skills are lacking right now. Need to work on that. I would like to keep these as light as possible keeping them out of the chuck and duck class of flies. I can throw this size a long ways with the eight weight. Funny hearing the prop spin like a P-51 mustang flying overhead when they wiz by on the cast.

BilletHead