Heddon Torpedo

🎣 The Heddon Torpedo is the legendary American prop-bait topwater line, available in Tiny (1.875 inches, 1/4 oz), Baby (2 inches, 3/8 oz), and Magnum sizes for matching forage size and target species.

Heddon Tiny Torpedo

The Heddon Tiny Torpedo is the smallest member of the legendary Heddon Torpedo prop-bait line, at 1.875 inches and 1/4 oz with a propeller behind the rear treble hook. The Heddon Torpedo line has been the world's number one best-selling prop-bait topwater for generations, and the Tiny Torpedo packs the same proven prop-bait action into the smallest size. Cast and twitch the rod tip, the propeller spins and creates surface commotion that triggers explosive strikes. Slow steady retrieve creates buzzbait-like prop noise across the surface. The 1/4 oz weight requires light to medium spinning or baitcasting tackle.

Heddon Brand Heritage

Heddon is the oldest American fishing lure company, founded by James Heddon in 1894. The Heddon Zara Spook, introduced in 1939, invented the walk-the-dog topwater technique that defines modern walking baits. Despite being copied hundreds of times by competitors over the decades, the original Zara Spook continues to win tournaments and produce big fish, a testament to original engineering. Heddon products are sold under the Pradco/Lurenet umbrella alongside Bomber, Cordell, Booyah, and other heritage brands. The Heddon name carries weight with serious anglers because the company has been making proven topwater baits longer than almost any other brand still in business.

Specifications

• Length: 1.875 inches
• Weight: 1/4 oz
• Type: Prop-bait topwater
• Action: Prop spin with twitch or steady retrieve
• Hooks: 2 treble hooks
• Brand heritage: Heddon (since 1894), Pradco/Lurenet umbrella
• Colors available: 16 (NATL LEOP FR, BLUE SHINER, BLK SHORE MN, BABY BASS, BULLFROG, G FIN/RD HD, FLR GRN CRAW, NATL LEOP FR, BLUE SHINER, BLK SHORE MN, BABY BASS, BULLFROG, G FIN/SHAD, FLR GRN CRAW, BLACK SHINER, BABY BASS)
• Price: $6.99

How To Fish the Tiny Torpedo

Two primary techniques work for the Torpedo line:

1. Twitch retrieve: Cast, let the bait sit for 2-3 seconds, then twitch the rod tip sharply. The prop spins, creates surface splash, and stops. Twitch again. The cadence is twitch-pause-twitch-pause, similar to walking but with prop action.
2. Slow steady retrieve: Cast and retrieve at a slow steady pace. The prop spins continuously, creating a constant buzzbait-like sound across the surface. This is the most underrated Torpedo technique.

Twitch vs steady decision: Use twitch retrieve when fish are aggressive and want erratic action (post-spawn, summer feeding). Use slow steady when fish are following but not committing, the consistent prop sound provides constant attraction.

NOT a walking bait: Unlike the Spook line, the Torpedo is NOT a walk-the-dog bait. The cylindrical body and prop tail are designed for prop action, not side-to-side glide. Different bait, different technique.

When to Throw the Tiny Torpedo

• Schooling bass on small baitfish: When school size is 2-3 inches, the Tiny Torpedo matches the hatch
• Smallmouth bass: Smallies in clear water lakes and rivers, especially around rocky structure
• Calm conditions: Calm pond and lake surfaces where the prop noise carries far
• Around boat docks: Cast tight to docks and twitch out, bass ambush prop baits in dock shadows
• Pre-spawn and post-spawn: Smaller profile triggers strikes when fish are not feeding aggressively
• Panfish surface action: Bigger crappie and bream will hit the Tiny Torpedo

Color Selection Guide

Color choice depends on water clarity, sky conditions, and forage:

• Clear water + sunny: Natural patterns (Baby Bass, Bone, Shad colors). Bass see the bait clearly, natural matches work best
• Clear water + low light (dawn/dusk): Bone, Bone Silver, or shad patterns with reflective inserts. Visibility is key
• Stained water: Bone, White, or contrasting colors (Black Head, Red Head). Visibility from below matters more than natural matching
• Muddy water: Bright colors (Chartreuse, Bullfrog, Black). Topwater is less effective in mud regardless of color
• Overcast: Bone, dark shad patterns, or contrasting colors. The flat sky reduces silhouette contrast
• Frog and grass conditions: Bullfrog, Green colors that match natural frog patterns

Heddon Torpedo Family Lineup

The Heddon Torpedo prop-bait line has three sizes for different applications:

• Tiny Torpedo (1.875 inches, 1/4 oz): THIS PRODUCT, smallest size for finesse and small-forage matching
• Baby Torpedo (2.5 inches, 3/8 oz): Mid-size for typical bass conditions and most forage profiles
• Original Torpedo (larger): Magnum size for big bass and bigger forage

Match Torpedo size to local forage. Smaller forage = Tiny Torpedo. Larger forage = bigger sizes. The 1/4 oz Tiny Torpedo casts well on light to medium spinning or baitcasting tackle.

Cross-Brand Competitor Comparison

Prop-bait topwaters compete in this category:

• Smithwick Devil Horse: Mid-tier prop bait, dual prop design
• Cotton Cordell Boy Howdy: Budget prop bait, similar size class
• Cordell Crazy Shad: Mid-tier prop with shad-pattern body
• Heddon Tiny Torpedo ($6.99): THIS PRODUCT, the original prop-bait, generations of proven action

The Heddon Torpedo line is the heritage standard in prop baits. While newer prop baits exist, the Torpedo line has the longest track record and the most proven design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What rod and reel work best for this bait?

Light to medium spinning rod (6'8" to 7') with 2500 size reel and 6-10 lb fluorocarbon line is the standard finesse setup. Light baitcasting also works for the Tiny Torpedo. The 1/4 oz weight is too light for heavy bass tackle.

How is the Tiny Torpedo different from a buzzbait?

Both create surface prop noise, but the Torpedo is a hardbait with a body, eyes, and treble hooks. The buzzbait is a wire-frame jig with a single hook and rotating blade. The Torpedo is for casting and retrieving with twitch cadence; the buzzbait is for casting and steady retrieve only. Different tools for different conditions. The Torpedo is more versatile for changing speed and cadence.

What colors should I get?

For most lakes, three core colors cover most conditions: Bone (white-bellied baitfish, universal), Baby Bass (natural bass-eating-bass pattern for clear water), and Okie Shad or similar shad pattern (matches local forage). For specialty situations: Red Head (low-light dawn/dusk, classic), Black Shiner (overcast or stained water), Bullfrog (grass and lily pad fishing).

Should I upgrade the hooks?

Heddon hooks are functional but tournament anglers often upgrade to premium trebles (Gamakatsu Round Bend, Owner ST-36, VMC trebles) for sharper point and better hookup percentage. Match the size of the existing OEM hooks. Some anglers also upgrade to feathered trebles on the rear hook for pause action (the Feathered Super Spook Jr ships with this from the factory). Hook upgrades cost a few dollars per bait and improve catch rate.

Are these baits good for saltwater?

The Super Spook (5 inch) is the best Heddon walker for saltwater (redfish, speckled trout, striper) because of the stout hardware. The Zara Spook and smaller walkers can be used in saltwater but the standard hooks may bend on bigger saltwater species. After saltwater use, rinse with fresh water and dry before storage to prevent rust.

Who This Is For

This topwater bait is best for tournament bass anglers wanting prop-bait action for schooling bass, smallmouth, and finesse topwater situations.