For most bass anglers, topwater lures aren’t the first bait category that comes to mind when targeting spring bass. Prop baits however have a long history of putting up solid catches, particularly on the mighty grass lakes of Florida. Randall Tharp discusses where to target bass with prop baits and how to fish them to trigger prespawn and even spawning fish.
Rather than casting and jerking the bait around, Tharp emphasizes the importance of tempered 6- to 8-inch pulls to generate the ideal sound and disturbance. Whereas a lot of topwater baits are big and bold, quality prop baits have a subtler sound and surface disturbance, a plus when targeting wary bass in skinny water. As such, casting distance and accuracy stack the odds in your favor. Tharp shares his go-to rod and line setup for making long, precise casts while also having the horsepower to haul big bass up and out of the cover.
TACKLE
-Rapala X-Rap Prop, Black Chrome Orange: https://wired2.fish/RapalaXRapProp
-Sufix 832 Braided Line, 30lb: https://wired2.fish/Sufix832Braid
-Sufix Advance Monfilament, 20lb: https://wired2.fish/SufixAdvanceMono3
-VMC 7547 Hybrid Treble Hook, size 6: https://wired2.fish/VMC-HybridTrebleTW
ROD SETUP
-ARK Tharp Series Casting Rod, 7′ MH/X Fast Hammer: https://wired2.fish/HoneyBadgerCastingRod
-Shimano Chronarch 150G Casting Reel, 8.1:1: http://wired2.fish/ShimanoChronarch
OTHER GEAR
-Costa Del Mar Blackfin Sunglasses: https://wired2.fish/CostaBackfin
-JB Langley Winrock Performance 7 Pocket Short:http://wired2.fish/7-PocketShort
-Fish Monkey Performance Face Guard:https://wired2.fish/FishMonkeyFaceGuard
-Fish Monkey Gloves (all): https://wired2.fish/FishMonkeyProducts
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Nothing better than catching them on the Devil’s Horse in the spring and summer.
thats my 1st time seeing the xRap prop.(gonna cop a cple)I got the smithwick devilhorse or what the heck ever its called,but that dang bait is hard to cast.Tell Tharp thanks for the tip bout gettin them blades spinnin 1st then givin her a small rip-thats the deal,right there..
Randall Tharp is awesome. The very best bass fishing teacher.
I always appreciate anglers who can pick out things like foliage or fauna and explain how bass fit into the big picture of that setting.
What's the coolest water temp you'll start throwing this?.
Please keep up the were, when, how vids they are so good and informational. They really help me out.
Good to see Randell can still catch em.
From north of Mason-Dixon, I gotta say: 🖕🏼
Just kidding.
I hope you catch a giant.
So Randall is on Daiwa now huh?
Great information and I will get that lure.
This is one of those tutorials you just watch over and over .
Good stuff Randall! 👊🏼🇺🇸💯
Thanks for the tips my friend!