Smithwick Devil's Horse 2025
Brett's_daddy reply :
Okay, if you could get only 1 which size...3/8oz or 1/2oz and what color? I'm thinking 1/2oz in the Chrome w/Black back but if the consensus is something different i could be persuaded.
deaknh03 reply :
I like the 1/2 oz, color usually doesn't matter to me, I have a dozen different colors and they all work. The 3/8 is a tad small for my liking.
timsford reply :
I like the 1/2 oz also in any shad color. I like chrome in sunny weather and anything opaque in cloudy weather
scbassin reply :
I have fished the 3/8 oz. since the mid 70's & caught many largemouth on them.
deaknh03 reply :
On 9/23/2016 at 7:31 AM, scbassin said:I have fished the 3/8 oz. since the mid 70's & caught many largemouth on them.
Your old. ?
papajoe222 reply :
Old, but good.
davecon reply :
Used to be a fellow here in Florida that for decades fished tournaments using only one lure - a Devils Horse. I'm told and have read that he averaged winning $ 30,000.00 per year. Supposedly he used the 3/8 oz, in green. He tweaked them by adding split rings and changing out the hooks plus several other "undisclosed" modifications. Keep in mind there are some pretty good sticks in north central Florida and he did quite well against some stiff competition. He was known as "One lure Charlie" and if I remember correctly his name was Charlie Orme. He was retired from the FWC and passed away several years ago.
Torn Thumb reply :
On 9/23/2016 at 8:42 AM, deaknh03 said:Your old. ?
*You're
deaknh03 reply :
On 9/23/2016 at 4:57 PM, Torn Thumb said:*You're
You're correct.
WRB reply :
Smithwick Devil Horse lures came in several shapes and lengths; Pa Scooter, Ma Scooter, Buck n Brawl etc. What you all maybe talking about is the front and back propeller models.
My favorite is still the wooden 1/2 oz Buck n Brawl rear propeller model in Shad color.
Tom
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 9/23/2016 at 10:33 PM, WRB said:What you all maybe talking about is the front and back propeller models.
Yup, those are the ones I'm talking about :).
crypt reply :
I have one always tied on still one of the best topwaters for me of all time.. along with a zara spook. great down here in florida. 3/8 oz. any color will do.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I don't fish the Devil's Horse but the H2O Slush Minnow from Academy has been good to me. I like the bluegill color.
bigbill reply :
Something for,,,
Clear to slightly stained water, it's Natural colors, smaller size.
Stained water, a tad brighter in color, a mix of smaller to medium in size.
Muddy water, brightest colors, largest in size.
Using a scent and a rattle is a plus.
"hamma" reply :
Although I usually use a torpedo's for propbait needs. I do have a few devils horse's and I have the 1/2 oz size one with a opague colored body and black splotches on its back, and one thats black, and one with a yellowish belly, I use these when the skies are cloudy, the winds picked up and the torpedo just isnt working, the louder double props seem to make just enough noise that matches its bigger profile.,.. and yeah sometimes equals bigger fish.
primetime reply :
On 9/23/2016 at 9:02 AM, davecon said:Used to be a fellow here in Florida that for decades fished tournaments using only one lure - a Devils Horse. I'm told and have read that he averaged winning $ 30,000.00 per year. Supposedly he used the 3/8 oz, in green. He tweaked them by adding split rings and changing out the hooks plus several other "undisclosed" modifications. Keep in mind there are some pretty good sticks in north central Florida and he did quite well against some stiff competition. He was known as "One lure Charlie" and if I remember correctly his name was Charlie Orme. He was retired from the FWC and passed away several years ago.
He used to fish on Lake Harris all the time,I think it is the same guy....12lb test, all year long, I have read and heard many stories of him winning tournaments on nothing but the Devil's Horse. He would catch fish on them from morning to night, but some guys find a lure they gain confidence in, then they just get really good with it. If you stick with Topwater Fishing it is essentially one of the most efficient ways to fish since you are picking off all active fish, larger fish in general, and if you know the lake, all you need is 5 Fish...Active fish will see your bait sooner or later, that just takes faith.
Bernie Shultz is always fishing Prop Baits as well and he switched up and designed the Rapala XRap Prop, and I love Prop Baits, if they are hitting them with a buzz bait type retrieve they are fun, or a rip and pause, but I always give them a shot. The X-Rap is easier to cast, More flash, and has a different rotation, but the Devils horse is buoyant and the blades need to be perfect to get the right sound....
I usually use the smaller one which is really just thinner, and i like the yellow/Black, or the silver/blue. It is a popular lure in Florida, I never really saw people use them in NY, but some days they work well, If you can find the wooden one's on Ebay I would try to buy one of those for only a few bucks.They sit higher in the water, not sure color matters, I would just get the color you do best with on topwaters in general....
You can cast the smaller one on casting gear, the size really is not that different. I think the new ones are plastic but I am not sure, probably just as good.
boostr reply :
I have a couple, but for some reason the prop will not turn. (Not trying to Hijack th OPs thread but this could add to the thread) Is there a way to fix this, and how do you fish them?
davecon reply :
To adjust the prop just back out the screw in front of it a little bit. You can also tweak it by bending the blades ever so slightly. I recommend putting split rings on the hook hangers and slightly heavier hooks. I also put a barrel swivel on the front. Just bend the line tie out, slip the swivel on then bend the line tie back in to place.
WRB reply :
On 9/23/2016 at 3:04 AM, deaknh03 said:I like the 1/2 oz, color usually doesn't matter to me, I have a dozen different colors and they all work. The 3/8 is a tad small for my liking.
The 3/8 and 1/2oz are both 4 1/2" long, same size!
deaknh03 reply :
On 9/27/2016 at 3:59 AM, WRB said:The 3/8 and 1/2oz are both 4 1/2" long, same size!
I probably should have said a little too light, not small..but you knew that!
WRB reply :
On 9/27/2016 at 8:25 AM, deaknh03 said:I probably should have said a little too light, not small..but you knew that!
When you say things on sites like this more than 1 person is reading the post.
I had to look it up because the double prop Devils Horse isn't one of my favorites.
Tom
Catt reply :
Read the real story 
http://bassfishingarchives.com/short-strikes/jack-smithwick-sr-the-warhorse-man
WRB reply :
The 1st "Devil Horse" I bought was a Pa Scooter and still have it and caught a 8 lb bass on it at lake Irvine. The "Devil Horse" that I have caught the most bass is Buck n Brawl, wooden lures that have been lost in time.
Tom
Catt reply :
Not arguing with anyone!
The title of this thread is "Smithwick Devil's Horse"
The link above tells it's history as told by Jack A. Smithwick Sr. the "& son" on the box.
WRB reply :
Catt thank you for posting the link very interesting. Jacks 3 bullet points apply to every top water lure.
Tom
primetime reply :
On 9/27/2016 at 8:43 AM, WRB said:When you say things on sites like this more than 1 person is reading the post.
I had to look it up because the double prop Devils Horse isn't one of my favorites.
Tom
I need to go look at mine but I think the lighter lure is thinner compared to the heavier model. I just know I have 2 sizes never thought about the weight but the profiles are different as far as diameter. I am not sure about length but that sounds about right.
I think the New Devil's Horse is plastic? I know they local shop has them in several different Color packages from different years under Pradco or Pre Pradco I guess.
I kind of prefer the Rapala Version better personally, but it is a lure that requires Patience & if I have to choose a prop I love that Bagley's bang o lure Prop but have never done well with the 2 prop models now that I think about it. I like rear props better most times as well. I have a few made by Cotton Cordell that work well, I forget the name but they make that Smokey Joe color I like and one comes without props or one prop. I am sure you will know what the lure is called. Comes in double,single,and then without a rear blade but a Split shot sized weight on the tail so it is a thin Minnow style lure without a lip that walks...Looks good, never used it much.
On 9/27/2016 at 11:05 AM, Catt said:Read the real story
http://bassfishingarchives.com/short-strikes/jack-smithwick-sr-the-warhorse-man
I spend way too much time on the bass archive Site. Great post. I learn so much reading that site and love reading about how guys fished back when lure selection was limited, especially resources like books etc...That site is a gold mine of info.
Here is a great article from this site on the Horse.....
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/devils-horse-1.html
two parts but very informative. Not much you can't find on this site.
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