By Gary Laden

(Advanced Propeller Bait Techniques for Trophy Peacocks)

The first tackle manufacturer to cater specifically to the peacock bass angler and produce durable, colorful and productive propeller baits was Luhr-Jensen Co. out of Hood River, Oregon. In fact, owner Phil Jensen is an avid peacock bass angler who is constantly developing new lures and color patterns. Luhr-Jensen's propeller lure arsenal includes: Wood Chopper; Peacock Bass Special; Jerkin' Sam; Big Game Ripper and Amazon Ripper.

In recent years, however, other tackle manufacturers began to produce lures that appeal to both the peacock bass and peacock bass angler. Productive propeller lures that you should consider for your Amazon tackle arsenal include: High Roller's RipRoller; Luhr Jensen's Wood Chopper, Ripper & Peacock Special; Eatem-Up's Monster Prop; Temptress' Detonator and Sam Griffin's Super Zip.

Propeller baits that I would refer to as "power" type baits, including the Rip Rollers; Big Game Woodchopper; Amazon Ripper; Monster Prop, Detonator and Jerkin Sam, should be worked with a medium to rapid paced, aggressive rip of the rod, to impart an audible ripping sound and leave a visible bubble trail. The bubble trail is important as an attractant. Some of the topwater propeller baits do not run true on the surface and sit too low in the water because of either a heavier porous wood or exceedingly heavy hardware. These baits will not be nearly as productive as a bait that is balanced.

The optimal action of a propeller bait is best accomplished by using a stiff action graphite rod, measuring between 6'2" and 6'6" inches. Longer rods tend to be a hindrance in the tight casting quarters of smaller Amazon type fishing boats. Longer rods also tend to have more flexible tips than shorter rods. You'll need a quality baitcasting reel with a fairly fast speed, spooled with braided line, ranging in strength from 65 to 100 lbs. It is the no stretch action of the braided li ne, combined with a stiff rod, that will impart the best action to a large topwater bait.

Many anglers tend to use their arms to rip a propeller bait, or perhaps pin the rod against their body and twist their torso to accomplish this action. However, the optimal action when fishing a propeller bait is best accomplished by using the wrists in a downward thrusting manner (after first reeling up any slack created by the previous rip).

After a long cast, reel up any slack in the line. Palm the reel for maximum leverage and power and then and use your wrists to snap the rod tip towards the water. You will get a very prompt response and an enticing sound of your propeller bait. Using short, aggressive rips to move the bait are much more productive than long, gliding rips. The cadence should be more like rip..rip..rip, as opposed to rip....rip...rip. This also creates the optimal bubble wake.

When the fish are aggressively striking large topwater plugs, the fa ster and more aggressively you work these baits, the more the peacocks seem to prefer them. Each rip of the rod should move the baits from 4 inches to 8 inches (dependent upon the lure used, speed of the current, depth of the water and mood of the fish).

The propellers might need to be tweaked to insure that they bite the water and create optimum audible and visible commotion. Typically, the guides are most adept at tuning the props on the topwater propeller baits for best action and sound, so don't hesitate to allow them to adjust them. In many instances, they'll be the ones looking to grab your lures to make the necessary subtle changes.

Try this aggressive, wrist snap retrieval technique the next time you are in your favorite lagoon or fishing a prime sandbar and you will be amazed at the results.



Prop Bait Woodchopper