Surface Prop Baits?

[Quillback]

What's the best way to fish them?

Steady retrieve like a buzz bait?

Short rips followed by pauses?

Something else?

[Kelroy]

Short rip n pause works well, sometimes just a foot or so. They seem to do better if there is some surface chop or ripples. They don't seem to work on smooth water. I like a zig-zag retrieve too.

[J-Doc]

The old saying goes "let the fish tell you how they want it". It's true. Not my favorite answer. I actually hate that answer because my ADHD kicks in way too fast to waste time playing with different retrieves, line, colors, etc.

I did some research on this a while back. Seems like short jerks and rhythmic cadences like jerk jerk pause and jerk jerk jerk rip pause we're good solutions. Keeping it strike zone as long as possible is key. I think.

[J-Doc]

Some days you think they want a super fast I'm running for my life retrieve but only in certain circumstances. Probably when water is in the low 70's when they want to chase prey.

[jolicious]

I learned this tidbit in Florida:

Take the front pro off. Make sure the back prop is as loose as it can be without getting caught up in hook / split ring. Bait not only does the prop thing, but spits, dives a little, wiggles, etc..

I like to fling it as far away from me as I can through a row of trees, rip-rip-pause..................rip-rip-pause.............. when the pause happens right by a tree, I'll give it a couple slight twitches with a few seconds' pause in between - then back to the rip-rip-pause..............deal.

If there are feathers on the back hook - think about cutting them off and tying a few strands of rubber jig skirt material instead (just figured this out the other day playing around with feather hooks - looks more like little fish than feathers).

[J-Doc]

Very good tips Joe.

[Feathers and Fins]

Florida Fish don't count they are paid by the Florida Department of Tourism to bite to hook fishermen on coming back spending more money.

Quill, I throw very few of them but I like the rip pause approach twitch twitch pause Rip and repeat it seems to work.

[jolicious]

Florida Fish don't count they are paid by the Florida Department of Tourism to bite to hook fishermen on coming back spending more money.

They must be gettin' paid well, because they are eating well, my brother

[Feathers and Fins]

YOU SUCK

[Quillback]

Nice one!