MOTHERBAITS

Prop baits have historically been loud instruments. Western designs leaned on heavy blades, wide-open throats and a churning wake meant to pull fish from distance — a calling tool, not a closing tool. That works on untouched water. It fails on the reservoirs, canals and clear-water lakes that see pressure every weekend of the season, where bass learn the signature of a commotion bait within days of it appearing in the local tackle shop.