few questions for the pros

[drew03cmc]

Firstly, I'm wanting to do more than toss jigs in creeks this year, so, I'm wondering a few things.

What size and color buzzbaits do you prefer? 

How do you all fish Flukes from a canoe or wading?

What is the concensus on the Dog-X Quick Walker? 

[Brian Jones]

 

Firstly, I'm wanting to do more than toss jigs in creeks this year, so, I'm wondering a few things.

What size and color buzzbaits do you prefer? 

How do you all fish Flukes from a canoe or wading?

What is the concensus on the Dog-X Quick Walker? 

NOT EVEN CLOSE to a pro but here's what I like. 

Buzzbaits:  Depends on the river I'm fishing.  But my three favorite colors are Black/red, Blue/white/chartreuse, and white/chartreuse.  I prefer the 3/8 oz. ones and I like a painted blade on the latter two.  I also like the blades that run through the wire the best.  I do have a couple with the off set blades that I'll throw sometimes, but they don't seem to track as well.  I've also thrown an 1/8 oz. war eagle buzzbait later in the summer with some success.  Switched because I figured the fish were getting pressured too much and might be getting tired of seeing the bigger baits.  When I throw the smaller bait, I'll throw it on a spinning rod combo with braid.  

Flukes:  I actually prefer the Bass Assassin over the fluke.  My favorite way to fish them from a canoe is to make a LONG cast down river and retrieve them back to the boat with a walk the dog retrieve.  I have found that the Bass Assassins are the easiest for me to "walk".  

No experience with the Dog-X Quick walker. 

[Flysmallie]

For buzzbaits it's always a white 1/4 ounce Lunker Lure. Always has been, always will be. I've tried others and I'll just stick with the Lunker Lure.

I don't fish flukes much. Usually a floating worm. While fishing it from a canoe takes more talent than from a bass boat, it only took a few fish crushing it for me to adjust.

I rarely throw a WTD topwater. I like chug bugs and frogs. Something they don't see everyday and I just have more confidence in them.

 

[drew03cmc]

Thanks guys! I see that you work a Fluke with a wtd type of action. That makes sense to me, but there again, that rhythm eludes this white boy. Guess I gotta practice. 

I did find a Super Spook Jr this morning in the grass as one of the local lakes with the hooks rusted away and covered in mud and grime. After a clean up, what size hooks and split rings do you recommend for this bait?

[MOPanfisher]

Drew I am with you, the WTD action of a spook simply is beyond my abilities I guess.  However the fluke is pretty easy to work in a similar manner, it will dart and move and is much easier for me than a Spook.

[Pat Magee]

**answer from an amateur**

I typically throw either a black or white buzzbait in 1/4 oz size.  I prefer the Cavitrons as they stay on plane nicely. I still haven't caught a ton of buzzbait fish but I am looking to improve on it this year.

I fish almost exclusively flukes and they are always my go to plastic.  I use a 3/0 offset hook and I will actually let it dead drift in the current giving it some subtle darting actions as I retrieve. I find that almost all of my hits come on the slow descent when fishing a fluke so I try to keep that in mind when reeling it in.  I will also slowly work them through cover and let them fall in slowly....if there is a fish there, I usually nail them.  You can also wacky rig them.  I will do this sometimes on pressured water to give the fish something different to look at. 

WTD lures are fantastic and always a blast to catch fish on.  I will say that the more expensive ones are easier to walk right out of the box but with a little bit of practice I was able to WTD with my 10 dollar Zara Spook.  I struggled with it for a long time until I got a rod that wasn't so stiff and had a faster tip.  I like to throw mine on spinning gear with a medium fast action rod.

[Hog Wally]

Mitch craw 

[DADAKOTA]

I take the opposite approach.  1/2 ounce buzzbait in chart. or chart/white.  Big smallies can't handle them and just destroy them.  Betting a 1/2 ounce chatterbait would send them into oblivion.  Or  frog should do.

[Smalliebigs]

Buzz.....Nichols 1/2 ounce in bait fish colors with a feathered treble 

The quick walker is too small for the river but a good size creek bait.

I like wtd baits....really I love them. The bigger the better ad far as I'm  concerned and the best hooks  you can get on your bait help. Try to match the biggest  minnows and Chub in the water you're  fishing....big fish bait....explosive strikes. ....not the best bait if you have limited  room though Drew

[drew03cmc]

Those look like Giant Dog X baits Scott. Aren't they 1/2oz, 4" or so baits? 

I may try a couple larger baits this year.