Wake Bait

Wake Baits are surface contact lures, albeit some consider them sub-surface lures, known for subtle surface wobble rolling lure action. Wake Baits are also known for a rattle sound, for fishing slow or fast are as one of the best lures for producing the v-shaped wake.

Anatomy: Wake Bait lures treble hook lures that resemble a lipped crankbait with lip near 90 degrees to the lure or a hard jerkbait with the lip near 90 degrees. 

  • Short: [Figure 1] Fat, short with a 90 degrees lip
  • Long: [Figure 2] Long, skinny with a 90 degree lip
  • Jointed: [Figure 3, 4 and 5]

Lure Action. Subtle surface wobble and rolling action that creates a good wake for the size of the lure.

Search Bait: Common.

Pros’ Choice: Less common.

Figure 1: Strike King KVD 2.5 Wake Bait 2.5 Inch 3/8oz with Rattle
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When to Fish a Wake Bait

Wake Baits are  surface contact lures typically selected when:   

  • Targeted Depth:
    • Shallow: Common.
    • Deep(Offshore):  Not common.
  • Fishing Speed:
    • Fast: Common, considered for fishing fast as you can cover water.
    • Slow: Less commonly considered a slow top water lure as it is uncommon to add a pause but it can be retrieved slower than most surface contact lures except a popper. 
  • Lure Visibility:
    • High Lure Visibility: Common, even with cloud cover and slight ripple on the water. 
    • Low Lure Visibility: Less Common.
  • Targeting Cover: Some suggest all lures are good near cover where wake bait lures are used when contacting:
Figure 2: Rapala BX Waking Minnow 5.25 inch Blue Back Herring 3/4 oz
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Figure 3: Fishlab Bio-Shad Wake Bait 4 Inch, 3/4 oz
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Specific Wake Bait Decisions

Selecting the Wake Bait Lure Type, as a treble hook lure type, there are the following key decisions:

  • Shape: Three general body shapes,
    1. Fat and short like a lipped crankbait [Figure 1],
    2. Long and skinny like a hard jerkbait [Figure 2] and
    3. Jointed like a hard swimbait [figure 3]. 
  • Sink Classification:
    • Top Water: Generally categorized as a top water but the lure can be retrieved a few inches below the surface.
  • Size:
    • Small: 2″ to 3″
    • Common: 4″ to 5″
    • Large: 5″ to 6″ 
  • Lure Weight:
    • Light: 1/4 oz to 3/8 oz
    • Common: 1/2 oz
    • Heavy: 3/4 oz plus
Figure 4: 6th Sense Speed Wake - 4K Gizzard
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  • Lure Color: As lure color selection is mostly tied to the lure visibility download the Acute Lure Color Breakdown™ Infographic.
    • Forage: Some believe it mimics a baitfish or other animal injured and some believe it mimics a baitfish going to the surface to flee a predator.
Download the Acute Lure Color Breakdown™ Infographic
Rigging Decisions

As a treble hook lure type, the common rigging considerations includes:

  • Hook Size: Besides replacing any bent or rusted hooks some, albeit not common, look to upsize or downsize or upgrade the manufactured provided hooks.
      • Small: #6 to #4
      • Common: #2 to #1
      • Large: 1/0 to 3/0
  • Main Line: Common for monofilament as it floats, some suggest braid helping to keep the wake bait just below the surface and some suggest fluorocarbon to assist in hook sets.
    • Light: 10 lb test
    • Common: 12 lb test to 15 lb test
    • Heavy: 15 lb test plus typically when fishing near heavy cover.
  • Leader: Not common, unless using braid main line.  
  • Rod:
Download Rod Infographic
Wake Bait Presentations
Presentations for wake baits are commonly considered a horizontal presentation and a tight line presentation with the following considerations:
Additional Considerations
Figure 5: Bomber Jointed Wake Minnow-Chrome with Black Back 5-3/8 inch
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