Think I’ve said here before that as a kid I used to fish a Hula Popper and Jitterbug religiously but never caught a dang thing on one. Don’t think I ever got a strike, either.
In fact, they put me off topwaters so much that I refused to use one until I figured out (was shown) how to fish a Spook. In fact, that’s still the only topwater bait – including the many versions of it out there – I have confidence in, even after learning from Zell Rowland (in Zell’s boat!) how to use a Pop-R.
Anyhow, was reading an article about the early days of Lake Conroe in Texas, and it mentioned the Heddon Lucky 13, pictured above – maybe used to catch the first bass out of Conroe in 1951. I’ve never fished that bait – you?
It’s still sold – anyone still use ’em?
Anyone have any other topwaters that either a) are older baits that you still use, or b) they can’t bring themselves to use because they didn’t work for you?
Let us know below.
9 Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Chad Keogh
July 13, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Never used a Lucky 13, but I grew up fishing Hula Poppers and Jitterbugs. However, I had a ton of success on them. Big pike and bass loved them in Ontario and Quebec.
The first smallmouth I ever caught was on a Hula Popper. It smacked the lure 5-6 times before it finally hooked up. When I landed it I had no idea what I had caught. Luckily my cousin who was with me at the time had watched In-Fisherman and told me it was a smallmouth bass. It was 5 lbs on our cheapy spring scale. Not a bad start…
samuel groves
July 13, 2011 at 3:33 pm
i used to caught lots of smallmouth river fishing with a lucky 13 when i was a kid.
samuel groves
July 13, 2011 at 3:35 pm
i meant to say catch
5bites
July 13, 2011 at 4:12 pm
I refuse to use the mister twister top prop and I’ve watched it catch a 5+ pound largemouth moments after making loads fun of it. It’s just to freakin stupid looking! O might buy one for my son and borrow it though lol!
Ken Cook
July 13, 2011 at 4:53 pm
One of my earliest bass catches came on a borrowed Lucky 13. I didn’t know how to fish it, just threw it out there by some lily pads and kaboosh! I was hooked forever, on fishing, not necessarily the Lucky 13 although I lost another memorable big’un on a baby Lucky 13 a few years later. Still have that one.
Bill M
July 14, 2011 at 4:50 pm
My Dad died in 1970 and that was the most popular lure in his tacklebox.. I still have at least 6 of them, only ever used one of them just to see what they do on the retrieve..been thinking of trying some of his old lures since I am now older than he was when he died.
Some days this year it seems I can catch bass on anything in the tacklebox :)… I’m going to take one off the display rack right now and take it out to the boat…give her a try this weekend. Yee Haw… I needed an excuse and my dad would be wondering what I have been saving all them lures for.
admin (mostly Jay)
July 14, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Cool story, Bill! Let us know how you do….
Tim K
July 20, 2011 at 10:58 am
I’ve caught several on the Lucky 13. When I was too young to work a zara spook properly the Lucky 13 was my favorite top water. After watching my Dad catch all the big ones on a spook I learned pretty quick how to walk the dog and now I’ve got a spook tied on one of my rods from March thru September.
MattBass
April 9, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Hula popper: watched my brother catch about a gazlilion. Me: not one that I can remember.
Jitterbug: ditto (both him and me).
Lucky 13: never had one.
Zell Pop: YES! (also other similar poppers).
Also, Spooks, Tiny Torpedos, HB Frogs, Redfins, et. al.
“Strangest” top-water? Deep-diver Bagley B! Fished like a Redfin!