Bass Fishing Jul 2018 | Page 53

SOFT-PLASTIC PROP: FLARED GILLS: The prop is made from a pli- able plastic that bends under pressure, but regains its shape. It spins freely on a heavy-duty stainless-steel shaft. The outward flare of the gill plates creates a slightly larger wake as the bait skims the surface. NOSE CUP: The deep nose cup traps and spits water while providing some resistance to help the bait work in place when twitched or swept. It also moves water on a steady retrieve. performance advice You can alter the performance of the bait on a steady retrieve by changing the angle of the rod. Pointing the rod tip directly at the bait or raising it slightly to the 2 o’clock position lifts the nose and creates less resistance for a more subtle pres- entation. Lowering the rod tip toward the water causes the nose cup to dig in and increases resistance. HITS & MISSES + easy to fish + premium hooks + Good castability + multiple presentations – a little pricey for a prop bait APPLICATIONS • Throw it anytime, anywhere you might try a Whopper Plopper, or as a follow-up bait to the Plopper. • Fish it around shallow flats, points and other places bluegills spawn. • The 3/4-ounce bait casts easily in situations when you’re searching for roving wolf packs of bass or hoping to get a big bedding bass to blow her cover. MORE PROP BAIT OPTIONS The Top Notch is joined on River2Sea’s prop-bait front by a pair of twin-prop models: the 1- ounce, 6 3/8-inch Big Mistake and the 7/16-ounce, 6-inch Lane Changer. The Big Mistake is the more radical of the two, with magnum props and a supersized profile that moves a lot of water. River2Sea advertises the Lane Changer as the subtle changeup, because it delivers understated action and a small wake that make it a good choice for windless days and calmer waters where too much commotion can be a bad thing. july 2018 I flWfIshInG.com DETAILS Price: $14.99 Colors: 10 Length: 5 inches Weight: 3/4 ounce Rattles: yes Hooks: 2/0 R2s Contact: river2seausa.com RIVER2SEA TOP NOTCH RIVER2SEA LANE CHANGER RIVER2SEA BIG MISTAKE 51