While there are other lures that I have caught more bass with, one of my favorite lures to throw is a walking bait. They usually do best when the bass would be interested in topwater (so Spring through Fall) and like most other topwater lures they usually perform best earlier in the day or around the time the sun is going down. I also personally prefer to use them when the water is calm or there is a slight chop on the water but would probably switch to something else if it gets too windy or the water is too choppy. This lure is just plain fun to throw, and over time it’s really grown on me as I’ve gotten better and zig zagging it across the water while I’m in my Kayak. In fact, I don’t even throw a plopper style of bait anymore and if I’m ever at a point where I’d consider doing that I’ll just cover water with a walking bait instead. There’s just something really satisfying about getting a good walk the dog action out of one, and it’s even more satisfying when a big bass blows up on one.
There are a lot of different colors out there but if I usually just go with a bone colored lure or if the visibility is really high then I’ll switch over to a translucent lure. In terms of brands and specific models there are also a ton of different ones available but in my case I prefer a Lucky Craft Sammy or a Heddon One Knocker Spook. I also swap out the treble hooks on these with inline hooks and if you are purchasing one for the first time keep in mind they normally ship with treble hooks. Having said that I have not noticed much of a difference in terms of hookup ratio and in my experience if a bass is going to hit this thing they usually hit it hard. If you haven’t already tried throwing a walking bait I’d really suggest picking one up and at least trying it out.
Lure Summary – Walking Bait
Suggested Rod Length: 6’10” – 7’2″
Suggested Rod Power: Medium Heavy
Suggested Rod Action: Moderate Fast
Suggested Reel Type: Casting Reel
Suggested Gear Ratio: 7.2:1
Lure Weight (est.): .63oz
Tackle Required
- 14lb Fluorocarbon Line
Suggested Baits
- Lucky Craft Sammy 115
- Heddon One Knocker Spook