The Donkey Delivers Big Bass

If Terry "Big Show" Scroggins is fishing in Florida, you can bet he has the "Donkey" tied on at least one rod -- and chances are fairly good that it's the one that's in his hand. The Donkey refers to a Smithwick Devil's Horse. Scroggins dubs it a donkey because of the way you have to work it, "Slow and steady, like a donkey."

Last weekend it was actually the " Swamp Donkey" because Big Show and Gerald Swindle were fishing Devil's Horses together on Toho, and Swindle decided to add more Florida flavor the name. The biggest fish the two of them weighed attacked a Swamp Donkey.

The Devil's Horse has been a favorite of Florida fishermen for decades. They especially like it because you can create a lot of commotion with the blades without moving the bait very far. It tantalizes big bass that are holding near cover, and they can't resist attacking. Old timers throw it year-round and in all conditions.

Scroggins contends that you really only need one color, which is chrome/black back/orange belly, and when he finds a specific bait that rests exactly how he wants in the water and makes just the right sound, he'll fish that one bait till he loses it or until the bass wear every bit of paint off it.