Bug/hawg/craw-style baits - how to choose and other questions

[txchaser]

I'm noticing I seem to be able to discern which version or flavor of lots of different baits I can/should throw, but the bug/creature world has got me a little confused. And since there's such a difference (apparently) between an actual senko and the knock-offs, it seems like an important line of questions. 

 

Some example questions:

Is there any difference between a missile baits d-bomb and an RI sweet beaver? I can tell the difference between rage tail and other stuff with big flappy arms but (just as an example) I can't tell the real difference between these two. Oh and the pit boss and the rage structure bug too. 

 

When would I throw a yamamoto kreature vs the double tail hula?

 

When would I throw a rage hawg vs a zoom brush hawg?

 

Is a lizard really a lizard presentation, or a slender creature presentation?

 

When should I use something bugg-y vs hawg-y vs craw-y?

 

 

[Scott F]

It's all pretty much trial and error. Pick one. If the bass don't want it, try a different one.

[Choporoz]

2 minutes ago, Scott F said:

It's all pretty much trial and error. Pick one. If the bass don't want it, try a different one.

?. And that right there is the magic key to bass fishing.  

 

Scene.  

[txchaser]

3 minutes ago, Scott F said:

It's all pretty much trial and error. Pick one. If the bass don't want it, try a different one.

 

Just now, Choporoz said:

And that right there is the magic key to bass fishing.  

 

Dang, I'm going to need a sherpa.

[Scott F]

The hard part isn't picking the right bait. The hardest part is figuring out where to throw it.

[roadwarrior]

The Rage Tail patented flange separates the men from the boys. http://www.ragetail.com/

[ww2farmer]

I have a system.

 

3 categories.

 

#1 "no action" baits...examples would be: R.I. Beavers, GYCB Fat Baby Craws, Jackall Cover Craws

 

#2 "subtle action" baits...examples would be: Berkley Chigger Craws, Jackall Sasuteki Craws, Berkley Pit Bosses, Berkley Craw Fatties

 

#3 "high action" baits....examples would be: Netbait Paca Craws, R.I. Man Bear Pigs + Kinky Beavers, Kietech Crazy Flappers, Yum Christie Craws and Creatures, Rage tail products, etc...

 

I tend to use baits from category #2 as the default year round....if I'm getting bit on these baits I keep rolling with them. If not, I'll re-think the situation/conditions I am observing and either change presentations totally or go with baits from #1 in high fishing pressure/post front/clear and or cold water situations, or baits from #3 in dirty water and/or the height of the summer when activity levels are at the peak for the season.

 

 

[bassh8er]

4 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

The Rage Tail patented flange separates the men from the boys. http://www.ragetail.com/

 

You can tell the difference too because Rage baits must copy other successful new baits by putting their “patented flange” on the baits.

 

I’d go with Zoom and save some

money.  A brush hog is the original creature bait and is hard to beat; go with the baby if the regular size is too big for ya.

[Munkin]

1 hour ago, ww2farmer said:

I have a system.

 

3 categories.

 

#1 "no action" baits...examples would be: R.I. Beavers, GYCB Fat Baby Craws, Jackall Cover Craws

 

#2 "subtle action" baits...examples would be: Berkley Chigger Craws, Jackall Sasuteki Craws, Berkley Pit Bosses, Berkley Craw Fatties

 

#3 "high action" baits....examples would be: Netbait Paca Craws, R.I. Man Bear Pigs + Kinky Beavers, Kietech Crazy Flappers, Yum Christie Craws and Creatures, Rage tail products, etc...

 

I tend to use baits from category #2 as the default year round....if I'm getting bit on these baits I keep rolling with them. If not, I'll re-think the situation/conditions I am observing and either change presentations totally or go with baits from #1 in high fishing pressure/post front/clear and or cold water situations, or baits from #3 in dirty water and/or the height of the summer when activity levels are at the peak for the season.

 

 

These are basically what I use for baits for fishing at this time of year I start with #1 or a jig. I base my choice on what I expect the fishes activity level for the day to be. In the early spring a beaver bait works great but in the summer I want more action. Not this is a starting point and not a hard rule as I have caught them in March on a 8" lizard and a smallie beaver in July.

 

Allen

[txchaser]

One of the things I'm taking away from this is that 'low action beaver A' and 'low action beaver b' are likely not as different as senko vs knockoff, at least in the middle, but maybe a little different out on the heavy (yamamoto) or light (zman) end for fall rate. And that difference doesn't matter nearly as much as action level. 

 

Am I getting that correctly?

 

[ww2farmer]

11 hours ago, txchaser said:

One of the things I'm taking away from this is that 'low action beaver A' and 'low action beaver b' are likely not as different as senko vs knockoff, at least in the middle, but maybe a little different out on the heavy (yamamoto) or light (zman) end for fall rate. And that difference doesn't matter nearly as much as action level. 

 

Am I getting that correctly?

 

 

Yes, no an maybe.

 

With beavers, even though they seemingly sometimes all look similar different ones do different things.

 

For example: Yum Wooly Bugs vs R.I. Sweet Beavers....both look almost identical, BUT the ribs on them face opposite directions giving off a different "disturbance" in the water. Which one is better?? Who knows, it might not even matter...most of the time.

 

Then take the Yum Bad Mamma....that bait falls like a tube even though it's a "beaver". Spiraling and seesawing down, where as most other beavers fall straight down or "glide".

 

I will say one thing for "low action" beavers. I catch more and bigger fish on ones that have some kind of ribbing/secondary water displacement feature than ones with "slick" sides. Zoom's beaver style baits come to mind as ones I don't care for much.

[Fishes in trees]

I'm thinking the best way to choose a bait within any given category is to get a system that makes it NOT YOUR FAULT if you guess wrong.   This season, I'm thinking some form of divination, maybe reading coffee grounds in my morning cup, perhaps divining shapes caused by pouring beer on the boat carpet.    Maybe a supple willow wand, I'll wave it over the gear and which ever one it points at, that's my choice.   Kinda like figuring out where to drill a well.

It's a work in progress, like many other aspects of my life.

[gilkeybr]

The creature bait you have the most confidence in and throw the most often is probably the one thats going to get you bit the most.

[the reel ess]

On 3/30/2019 at 5:40 PM, txchaser said:

I'm noticing I seem to be able to discern which version or flavor of lots of different baits I can/should throw, but the bug/creature world has got me a little confused. And since there's such a difference (apparently) between an actual senko and the knock-offs, it seems like an important line of questions. 

 

Some example questions:

Is there any difference between a missile baits d-bomb and an RI sweet beaver? I can tell the difference between rage tail and other stuff with big flappy arms but (just as an example) I can't tell the real difference between these two. Oh and the pit boss and the rage structure bug too. 

 

When would I throw a yamamoto kreature vs the double tail hula?

 

When would I throw a rage hawg vs a zoom brush hawg?

 

Is a lizard really a lizard presentation, or a slender creature presentation?

 

When should I use something bugg-y vs hawg-y vs craw-y?

 

 

I feel good throwing the double tailed Hula Grub anytime. I don't think there are many fish that can leave it alone if it drops in their personal space. There is not much difference in the comparisons you're asking about. Find a few that you have gained confidence in and go with them. They all catch fish and you can't fish every one every time you go out. Time is better spent finding fish than it is worrying about minute differences in baits.

[fishballer06]

The bait monkey thanks you for your curiosity. 

 

Now, go out and buy every brand and style, in 5 different colors each.

[jtharris3]

FWIW the top five that have worked well for me is:

1. Missile Baits D Bomb

2a. Rage Craw

2b. Berkeley Chigger Craw

3a. RI Beaver 4.20

3b. Yum Christie Craw

YMMV

[Jleebesaw]

On 3/31/2019 at 12:54 PM, Fishes in trees said:

I'm thinking the best way to choose a bait within any given category is to get a system that makes it NOT YOUR FAULT if you guess wrong.   This season, I'm thinking some form of divination, maybe reading coffee grounds in my morning cup, perhaps divining shapes caused by pouring beer on the boat carpet.    Maybe a supple willow wand, I'll wave it over the gear and which ever one it points at, that's my choice.   Kinda like figuring out where to drill a well.

It's a work in progress, like many other aspects of my life.

That is a divine idea. Dont forget, chicken bones have been used by our Haitian friends for generations. They have many answers.

[jtharris3]

30 minutes ago, Jleebesaw said:

That is a divine idea. Dont forget, chicken bones have been used by our Haitian friends for generations. They have many answers.

 

Chicken bones only work if they have the rage flange on them!  ?

[txchaser]

Reflecting on my orignal post:

Although my sample set isn't very big, this year so far I've caught far more quality fish on a powerbait maxx pork looking chunk in GP, at least for jig-fishing.

[Munkin]

On ‎3‎/‎31‎/‎2019 at 12:34 PM, ww2farmer said:

 

 

I will say one thing for "low action" beavers. I catch more and bigger fish on ones that have some kind of ribbing/secondary water displacement feature than ones with "slick" sides. Zoom's beaver style baits come to mind as ones I don't care for much.

 When those Z-Hogs came out I figured they would work great but have been very disappointed. Now I just rip the side appendages off and use them as a jig trailer. The Zoom Super Hog has caught me a lot of big fish but only seems to work at certain places. 

 

Allen