Devil's Horse 2024
roadwarrior reply :
Fifty years ago, before I had ever heard of a Rapala, this was my #1 lure.
I'm going to give it some focus this year. Does anyone else fish the Devil's
Horse?
http://www.lurenet.com/brands/smithwick-lures/smithwick-devils-horse
bigbill reply :
I probably have these in every size and color. I haven't tried them much. I promise I will try them soon.
buzzfrog reply :
Haha, about to make a thread on these, dicks had rm on clearance
Pz3 reply :
I just started using them. I remember when my grandfather was dieing of cancer he gave me his old tacklebox. Loaded with devils horses and and all kinds of classics.
Picked up one from bass pro a couple days ago and although the conditions suck for it Ive still seen multiple bass swim up to get a look at it.
Cant wait for the cold fronts to stop so I can put this bad boy to work!
frogflogger reply :
standard in florida for many big bass fishermen - any time of day bait -
Alonerankin2 reply :
On 3/26/2014 at 3:26 AM, frogflogger said:standard in florida for many big bass fishermen - any time of day bait -
Yes sir... Lived in Florida 10 years and they work very well there... But so did floating , large rapalas
The devils horse is a awesome bait!
tholmes reply :
On 3/26/2014 at 12:24 AM, roadwarrior said:Fifty years ago, before I had ever heard of a Rapala, this was my #1 lure.
I'm going to give it some focus this year. Does anyone else fish the Devil's
Horse?
http://www.lurenet.com/brands/smithwick-lures/smithwick-devils-horse
Yep! Been using them for 50 years and I'm not about to stop. Definitely one of the all-time greats!
Tom
Chris186 reply :
Its my go-to topwater bait. I have caught more fish on a Devils Horse then I have on all of my other top waters combined.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
I use um they work only thing is i have about 10 wooden ones i dont wont to lose and 2 plastic i need more
WRB reply :
What is called a Devils Horse today was actually a series of Smithwick lures back in the 50's & 60's when I fished them.
The pencil type floater with props on each ends has become the "Devils Horse" of today, however was the least productive of the series!
For me the larger size (900 series) Buck N Bawl was the most productive and had 1 small rounded prop in the tail end, sat in the water nose up and could be double jerked so it would dive under water a few inches then jump to the surface. If you can get your hands on a Buck N bawl change the hooks, it's a excellent lure.
The PA Scooter is another Devils Horse, similar to the Buck N Bawl, (1100series) longer and slightly thinner with similar action and can be walked. The PA Scooter is a big bass lure and also needs the hooks changed on vintage lures.
For numbers of bass the Buck N Bawl in shad color is hard to beat.
Tom
FishinFool22 reply :
One of the better topwater baits on the market imo
RoLo reply :
This post jogs my memory.
The Rapala Original Floater was a popular vintage lure, but like Roadwarrior, my first topwater was a 'Propbait'.
Unlike Roadwarrior though, my first propbait was a black 'South Bend Crippled Minnow'.
The early version I was using was made during the transition from wooden plugs to hard-plastic plugs.
I say "plugs" because 'crankbait' was not a word back then. The first plastic propbaits had a center seam
that ran around the circumference of the lure. I caught my first bass on that propbait, but got all excited
and whacked the standing oar on my next cast (we were fishing out of pram rowboat).
Anyway, the impact busted my lure into two halves, and since it was the only lure I had, it ended my fishing that day 
Roger
Pz3 reply :
On 3/26/2014 at 8:37 AM, RoLo said:This post jogs my memory.
The Rapala Original Floater was a popular vintage lure, but like Roadwarrior, my first topwater was a 'Propbait'.
Unlike Roadwarrior though, my first propbait was a black 'South Bend Crippled Minnow'.
The early version I was using was made during the transition from wooden plugs to hard-plastic plugs.
I say "plugs" because 'crankbait' was not a word back then. The first plastic propbaits had a center seam
that ran around the circumference of the lure. I caught my first bass on that propbait, but got all excited
and whacked the standing oar on my next cast (we were fishing out of pram rowboat).
Anyway, the impact busted my lure into two halves, and since it was the only lure I had, it ended my fishing that day
Roger
Dang its amazing how a lure can bring back all the emotions of that day.
WRB reply :
Ro,o, should used Creek Chub Injured Minnow instead of that knock off Crippled Minnow!
They are still plugs to me.
Tom
MarksHooked reply :
You know I read a lot of threads on these forums, and learn a TON of fishing related tips every single day... but it's these types of threads that are my favourite. It's so fun to read stories shared by people all over the world, of every age who all share the same passion.
doublest reply :
I remember this bait well but the first surface prop bait I had was the old Phillips crippled killer.Another bit of nostalgia I caught my first LM on a Heddon scissortail. About a 4 lber. Haha never caught another fish on that darned thing. Boy it sure was pretty with the glitter sprinkled on the top coat.Brought all of 20 cents at my fathers estate auction about 25 years ago
Alpster reply :
I used to murder em in Louisiana at first light with a DH. My favorite color was orange with a chartruse belly. I still have a couple, but haven't used them in a long while.
bigbill reply :
On 3/26/2014 at 3:50 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Yes sir... Lived in Florida 10 years and they work very well there... But so did floating , large rapalas
The devils horse is a awesome bait!
There was a online sports shop who had bigger spooks that I never seen before. I purchased a few from him. He went out of business when I went to buy more.
papajoe222 reply :
When I first tied a Devil's Horse years ago, I had limited success with them. The main reason was that my line would get fouled in the front prop and ruin every other cast. Back then, I used spinning gear and rarely used mono over 8lb. test. After switching to baitcasting gear and much heavier line, I was amazed at how rarely the fouling occured. The problem was, it took me like ten years to pick one up again.
Prop baits, in general, have worked their way back into favor with me over the last couple of decades and this one is one of the tops in my book.
Pz3 reply :
I found controlling the lure with the reel instead of the pole does the trick. Same action with less chance of fouling since the line stays tight the entire time.
jdw174 reply :
If there's any kind of a chop on the water it's one of my favorite baits. Makes a heck of a racket....
MemphisFF reply :
My father introduced me to the devil horse when I was 12-13 he used to throw em for the morning top water bite. We fished Sardis and Grenada a lot back then
RoLo reply :
On 3/26/2014 at 11:01 AM, Pz3 said:I found controlling the lure with the reel instead of the pole does the trick. Same action with less chance of fouling since the line stays tight the entire time.
Now that you mention it, I've learned the same thing too.
I'd use a slow-roll to stay in contact with the plug, fast enough to get a good 'sizzling' sound, like bacon on the grill. 
Roger
roadwarrior reply :
So, most of you are using a steady retrieve and twitch, not a twich- pause?
It's been a long time since I fished the lure.
RoLo reply :
Today, when I fish a Devil's Horse, I'll let it sit after the cast until the ripples flatten away (about 7 sec).
Then reel it at the slowest speed that produces an audible sizzle (slow roll - pause - slow roll - pause ~ ~)
I should add though, lots of guys are better horsemen than me 
Roger
Alpster reply :
I would let it settle and retrieve it in strokes. About 3 feet at a time. Kind of a zip & pause. I will pull it kind of hard to get the props going and make a lot of bubbles/ripples, then let it sit for 10 or 20 seconds and zip it again. Usually get bit while sitting still. Great top water action!
roadwarrior reply :
Thanks!
I'll try it both ways.
FrogFreak reply :
Oh man, you guys have inspired me to make a DH replica! 4.5 inches long right? Did the original sit in the water with the rear section submerged a bit?
CWB reply :
I've had pretty good success with Cordell's Crazy Shad. It's a shorter, fatter version that rarely gets missed.
MemphisFF reply :
That's how I fish the devil horse jus like Roger does let it sit and twitch sit twitch
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