Biffle Bug Vs Rage Structure Bug

[countryboy65]

I have been catching a lot of fish lately on these type of baits.  I personally like the gene lareau biffle bug better because it is hollow, my hook up ratio is really good, and they don't tear up as easily as the structure bug.  However, it seems like maybe the structure bug catches better fish.  My hook up rate on them suck and they tear up easy though, so I don't know.  Anybody have any thoughts on these or similar baits?  Other favorites?  I have a club tournament at Lake of the Ozarks in two weeks and plan on using these there.

[Matthew2000]

What size hook are you using for the rage bug? I've never had any problem with them on a 4/0 EWG.

[countryboy65]

3/0 ewg, think I need to go up?

[Primus]

I haven't used the Biffle Bug but the Structure bug was a terrific addition to my arsenal last year , haven't had any problems hooking fish . I would typically fish it on a 7' MH Kistler KLX rod, 14 lb floro with sinker weights ranging from 1/4 oz on up with 3/8 oz being the ideal weight most of the time with a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG Hook . This bait along with the Rage Craw are my favorite baits from the Strike King soft bait line-up, I'm very impressed and would highly recommend this bait . 

[countryboy65]

I haven't used the Biffle Bug but the Structure bug was a terrific addition to my arsenal last year , haven't had any problems hooking fish . I would typically fish it on a 7' MH Kistler KLX rod, 14 lb floro with sinker weights ranging from 1/4 oz on up with 3/8 oz being the ideal weight most of the time with a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG Hook . This bait along with the Rage Craw are my favorite baits from the Strike King soft bait line-up, I'm very impressed and would highly recommend this bait . 

what is the difference in the rage craw and the structure bug? when or where do you fish one over the other?  Saturday me and my partner fished the first club tournament of the year and my partner was using a rage twin tail on a jointed jig head, worked for him pretty good.

[Primus]

  Difference is in profile which will affect fall rate etc. I tend to use the Rage Craw as a jig trailer on heavy jigs with large hooks like the hack attack jig though it's big time proven bait as a stand alone . I tend to think of the Rage Craw as a warm water bait because of it is high action bait especially when fished behind heavy sinkers/ jigs . 

 

  The Structure Bug I just started fishing last summer so it's still somewhat new to me, though it was often my most productive soft plastic on many outings . I believe it has been marketed as a bait to fish on a swing jig but I have only fished at as a Slip sinker T-rig bait so far . I think of this bait as Beaver type bait with more action & vibration . This thing really vibrates for such a small compact bait . Part of the reason it is a hot bait is because it's new and the fish aren't as conditioned to it as some of the older designs out there . 

 

 I wouldn't say one is better than the other but I will say both have earned a spot in my soft bait line-up . 

[Matthew2000]

Rage craw tends to hang up on weeds a little bit more than the bug for me. And yes I would go 4/0, I rarley use 3/0 for craw style baits.

[Big Tyga]

4/0 daiichi baby

[matuka]

I'm no big fan of Mr. Biffle, but I sure like his bug. I flip it mostly. I tried it on the swinging heads but it didn't work out well for me.

[Will Wetline]

I haven't fished the Structure Bug but the Biffle Bug appealed to two smallies in the 4 lb. class last year (along with a few smaller ones).

 

I rigged it on a football swing jig for rocky bottoms and T-rigged to get it through weeds.

[Choporoz]

I recognize that my experience was way too limited to make a good comparison.  However, while I'm the most rational person I know, that goes out the window when it comes to fishing.   I tried Biffle Bugs in three different colors on maybe a half-dozen occasions with no success.  I routinely catch fish on Structure Bug - good fish and I have TONS of confidence throwing it in most any conditions.   So, I enthusiastically vote Rage over Biffle....knowing full well that the Biffle is probably as good or better for others.

 

I carry no fewer than four packs of Structure Bugs when I go out now.  I've put all my Biffle Bugs in the basement for the time being.

 

I will, though, give props to Biffle.  Once I put a Structure Bug on the Hard Head, I really killed them.  Now you can get a dozen different swing jigs, but Hard Heads were the first one to enter my consciousness and I love them.

[tcbass]

I'm no big fan of Mr. Biffle, but I sure like his bug. I flip it mostly. I tried it on the swinging heads but it didn't work out well for me.

Why aren't you a fan of him?

[gulfcaptain]

The Biffle bug seems to be a lot tougher to destroy then most of the rage baits.  But the softer body of the rage bug as well as a few other SK baits do get bit really well.  I'd suggest a bottle of Mend-It.  Take my used baits home, repair, and re-fish the next day.  

[Catt]

When that Big-O Texan came out with the Structure Bug I gave away 100s of Sweet Beavers & Biffle Bugs!

[Glenn]

Structure Bug all the way!  I've been using them for about a year now (Big-O was kind enough to send me pre-production models), and I fished them extensively through the spring/summer/fall with great success.  Ya, they can tear up a bit, but when you use this trick, they tend to last a little longer.  Nothing can beat the action nor colors of this bait.

[Bluebasser86]

The action of the Structure Bug is crazy good. I like to put them on a swinging football head and just drag them along. They have so much action that they move around even when I'm dragging them slowly. 

[Primus]

Would love to see a smoke purple color not only in this bait but the entire Rage product line . 

[countryboy65]

Thanks for all the input guys.  I think i'll have to get a few more packs of the structure bugs, but i'm not giving up on the Biffle bugs.

 

[Nice_Bass]

Keep with what you already had planned- but if it were me I would not be using the structure bug over the biffle at all(really I would not use either, but what do I really know...)- especially at LOZ, at this time of year.  You just don't really need a bait that is designed to be flipped into cover quite frankly.  That being said, the water will not really be as clear there now as it was last year and is considered "slightly stained" so a bait making a bit more commotion could be useful. (I will be in the minority and state I don't think it is that much of a difference with rage baits/not to start a conversation as I still do like some rage baits over others)

Stick with your decision as is- if you come out catching all the fish on that bait while everyone else struggles with a jig or jerkbait-you will feel like a million bucks!    

[OneShotOneKill]

I have great success flipping both baits. Deciding factor tends to be profile. If the fish are more aggressive and will hit a bigger profile with more action ill give them the biffle. If they're being finicky or the cover is real thick Ill go with the rage.

 

Since everyone is talking about swingjigs....Pretty hard to beat the hard head + a rage tail space monkey IMO.

[roadwarrior]

Rage Structure Bug was my #1 soft plastic in 2014.

I fish it T-rigged, Rage Rigged, Jika Rigged and as

a Rage Blade Trailer.

 

 

 

[countryboy65]

Keep with what you already had planned- but if it were me I would not be using the structure bug over the biffle at all(really I would not use either, but what do I really know...)- especially at LOZ, at this time of year.  You just don't really need a bait that is designed to be flipped into cover quite frankly.  That being said, the water will not really be as clear there now as it was last year and is considered "slightly stained" so a bait making a bit more commotion could be useful. (I will be in the minority and state I don't think it is that much of a difference with rage baits/not to start a conversation as I still do like some rage baits over others)

Stick with your decision as is- if you come out catching all the fish on that bait while everyone else struggles with a jig or jerkbait-you will feel like a million bucks!    

thanks for the info on LOZ.  Last weekend we were fishing Lake of Egypt in So. Ill. and catching fish with these baits on steep rip-rap facing the sun.  I was fishing mine texas rigged and my partner was fishing a similar bait on a swing jig, not really to much "cover".  The water there I would call stained.  That is what made me think this would be effective, but I have only fished there once and am open to all info.

[curlyburly85]

I am that partner countryboy65 is referring to.  We were fishing post cold front conditions and the air temp that morning was 26 degrees but the power plant lake water temps stayed upper 40's and gradually hit lower 50's later in the day.  At first I had a Rage Craw on a 3/8 oz SK jointed structure head but the action of the bait seemed too quick for the conditions.  So I switched to the SK menace grub and started getting bit.  I wonder if I should stick to what worked then even though water temps at LOZ are bound to be higher by next weekend or go with the SK structure bug - especially if the water is stained as mentioned as it has a bigger profile.  Also, I have heard that the lake is still down.  Will there be fish staging in deeper water just inside mouths of creeks and bays if pea gravel is high and dry?