An Old Bait For Christmas

[Mobasser]

Like many of us, I've managed to accumulate way too many baits over the years.                                                 So I definitely didn't need any new fishing baits for Christmas. But my wife surprised me with an old craw finish Arbogast Mud Bug, which she bought at an antique shop.                                    As soon as I opened it, the memories came flooding in. The Mud Bug was the first diving bait I ever bought, back in the early 1980s.                  Mine was a craw finish, I I think 5/8 oz in weight. I threw it shallow while bank fishing, and deeper when  I got my first flat bottom jon boat.                                                   I caught a good number of bass on it too, before I finally lost it to a snag. This one was recommended to me by a tackle shop owner, who was also an experienced bass fisherman.          I'm tempted to sharpen the hooks, and cast it this spring, but I'd hate to lose it.           Certain baits, like this one, bring memories, and have a sentimental value.                 What were your experiences with the Arbogast Mud Bug?

[Smells like fish]

I’ve accumulated several of those looking lures of different brands but have never cast one. I vote for you using it to at least catch one! Great topic. 

[scaleface]

I caught a lot of big early season bass on the crawfish pattern Mudbugs . I threw them where a lot of anglers throw Warts .

[Jig Man]

Some of my friends did well on them but not me.  Now the Super R is a whole different story.

[WRB]

Arbogast Mud Bugs sizes are in inches long; size 300, 400 and 500 (3”,4” # 5”) as I recall. 

Tom

 

 

[Woody B]

I've got a couple, as well as a few Bomber 300s.   

[A-Jay]

I've collected a few myself over the years.

Fish many of them.

Sold a bunch.

And saved some special ones to help remember a certain time in my life,

a notable trip, or that special fish.

It's just one of the many aspects of this sport that can always

'take you back' to a memorable time & place.  

This Mud Bug does that for me. (circa 1974)

A-Jay

[Dogface]

10 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

This Mud Bug does that for me. (circa 1974)

 

A-Jay

 

If that is a translucent brown I have a Mud Bug in that same color. 

[Dogface]

I guess I should replace those hooks. ?

[river-rat]

 

The Arbogast Mudbug is one of my all time favorites. I've been using them with great success since they first came out in the 1970's. Toledo Bend was the Mudbug capital of the world at one time and I still catch fish on them there and at Sam Rayburn. I also use them in the Mississippi River oxbow lakes I frequent. 

 

In my opinion, for what it's worth, the Mudbug is the best crankbait for cranking wood I've ever used. Thankfully I've still got a good supply. You can still find them on Ebay if your interested in purchasing more. 

 

 

[Dogface]

I was looking through some lures and found this old Mudbug.