Creature baits questions

[mheichelbech]

With all these different creature baits being marketed just curious if one outperforms another or if they are pretty much all the same assuming size, color, etc not factored in s a difference.

 

Not talking about the one she made specifically for punching through matted weeds, or other specialized techniques but just all around flipping and pitching.

 

Also, are there scenarios where a creature bait would outperform a regular old Zoom craw worm or Power Craw?

 

Thanks'

[eyedabassman]

Brush Hog,(if it is not broken don't fix it!).As for scenarios,let the fish tell you what they want,it can change from day to day!

 

PS Or Baby Brush Hog!

[Angry John]

The brush hawg is first choice but i also like the super hog.  The super hog works best in areas where you need something a little more weed friendly.  It does not have the long tenticales at the back that like to wrap around stuff.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zoom_Super_Hog_10pk/descpage-ZSH.html

[bigturtle]

Your question is way too vague, asking for difference between all the creature baits on the market.

 

Go grab yourself a few different ones that has really good reviews, or you hear about a lot. A zoom brush hog, powerbait power worm, pit boss, rage craw, etc all catches fish. In fact, pretty much all soft plastic baits iv used caught fish.

[mheichelbech]

My main question is are they all pretty much the same or not.  There are so many different but similar shapes it's hard to choose which one.  Do you normally just use one type that you have confidence in for whatever reason?

[bigturtle]

12 minutes ago, mheichelbech said:

My main question is are they all pretty much the same or not.  There are so many different but similar shapes it's hard to choose which one.  Do you normally just use one type that you have confidence in for whatever reason?

No, they arent all the same. Hard to choose? Not for me, but since you seem new at this, go but 4-5 of the popular baits and try it yourself. Do I normally use one type? No, I use a few different types.

[Catt]

Baby Brush Hog & Rage Tail Space Monkey

 

The Space Monkey is like the Rage Craw with 4 legs, I throw a lot of t-rigged craw worms.

[mheichelbech]

Thanks and yes...fairly new.  Just getting back into more serious bass fishing (and tournaments) after about a 20 year layoff.   Still love my jigs and pork and my Dion's Classic spider grubs but curious about all the creature baits available now and how they are deployed differently than other flipping/pitching type baits that I have used.

[Outdoor Zack]

There's a lot of good options here.  I usually have a lot of luck in the mid to late spring in ponds (pre-spawn basically). I like to t rig and toss them around vegetation, especially in dirty water.  

 

Heres my top 3 options:

 

1.  Baby brush hog/baby Christie critter.  3/0 round bend or straight shank.  10 to 12 lb mono

 

2.  Zoom 6" lizard (not just a 6" lizard- a ZOOM 6" lizard.  There is a difference!). 4/0 round bend, 12 pound mono

 

3.  Zoom lil critter craw.  1/0 round bend or 2/0 straight shank.  Use your finesse rod and 8 pound leader.

[RoLo]

When bass are in an aggressive disposition,

the creature you have tied-on is the best one.

 

Roger

[RMax]

Its not so much what the creature looks like, but the action it has.

[Mad Scientist]

There are a lot of similar baits in a few different "categories". Do you need every version? No. But it can be helpful to have a few baits that do different things.

 

I try to break it down to three different types of action, and pick a bait that represents each category:

 

"Flapping" - This would be a more compact creature bait that relies more on action from twitches and hops. My choice here is the Gambler Ugly Otter.

 

"Kicking" - This kind of creature bait has an aggressive action as it falls. A Rage Bug or Speed Craw would be a couple examples.

 

"Swimming" - This would be a more subtle but still active motion, usually from the addition of curly tails. The Brush Hog would probably be the most widely used example here.

 

So those are the three "styles" that I look for. But the fun thing is trying different baits, and seeing what works for you (and the fish!)

 

[Mr Swim Jig]

There are so many great creature baits... I have lots of different creature baits in my tackle at all times and don't have a particular favorite one. But the one I still tend to use the most is a Yamamoto Flappin Hog...

[RichF]

Yes there are a million different creature baits out there.  But, I don't think they're as different as everyone thinks.  There's basically a few different types/shapes that every company mimics in some way.  The main ones:

 

1) Brush hog style

2) Beaver style

3) Craw style

 

Every soft plastic company has some form of all these.  They all differ in some way (usually minor shape differences).  Some certainly have more action than others.  It's definitely not necessary to buy every one out there.  They all catch fish if you use them enough so I find it best to just pick a couple YOU like, ones YOU think will catch them good.  

 

 

[Deleted account]

On February 25, 2017 at 0:45 PM, mheichelbech said:

Thanks and yes...fairly new.  Just getting back into more serious bass fishing (and tournaments) after about a 20 year layoff.   Still love my jigs and pork and my Dion's Classic spider grubs but curious about all the creature baits available now and how they are deployed differently than other flipping/pitching type baits that I have used.

Get a few, fish them hard, see what works for you and what doesn't. Fine tune and adjust as you go. Carry a small pair of scissors, you can trim them (you can also melt them together, but that's usually more work than I'm willing to do in the field) to match the conditions and mood of the fish. I find I'm usually pitching creatures or hopping/dragging them on the bottom. Also figure out what type/size of hook and weight work for you, usually these are the more important factors. YMMV.