Tail Spinning Surface Baits

Tail Spinning Surface Baits
Craig Sandell © 2010

Surface lures are meant to emulate a small animal swimming on the water or a swimming animal in distress. To do this, surface lures mainly use propellers in different configurations. Most globes use a propeller between the head and the body of the lure.

There is also a configuration of surface lure called a tail spinning lure. This configuration of lure uses a curved propeller mounted on a free spinning tail of the surface lure. Most common among this type of lure is the Goochs Tallywacker and the Poes Awaker (pictured).

Both of these lures use a separate tail section that is attached to the lure body using interlocking screw eyes. The curved propeller is typically mounted in the tail section through the use of epoxy. As the tail rotates during a retrieve, the curved propeller strikes the surface of the water making a slapping noise. The curve of the propeller and its orientation to the tail section are critical to the performance of the lure. The temperamental nature of the tail blade is the major draw back to this type of lure. Having said that, I must also note that a well tuned Tallywacker or Awaker is a very effective Muskie attractor.

Jackson Lures sell the Awaker for about $15.00

The Awaker

The other version of the tail spinning surface lure is commonly referred to as water thumper. It is derived from a lure called the Mud Puppy that used a through shaft around which the tail spins.

Aside from the home made versions of this type of lure, the only current model is the Top Raider from Joe Bucher (pictured). Unlike the other manufacturers of this type of lure, the Top Raider is made of molded plastic and not wood. This lure is weighted to prevent roll and twist…it can be retrieved at any speed you choose. The splashing, sputtering, gurgling sound that it makes as it churns its way back to the boat is a Muskie attractor.

The lure also uses a piece of heat shrink to keep the rear hook in-line with the lure during a retrieve. This is not a new idea...it has been used by Muskie anglers for many years. If you look under the 'Tackle Index' of this website, you will find instructions on how to do this to your surface lures and bucktails if you are so inclined.

Check Out The Jackson Lures Website For this Item.

Top Raider