What is the best way of rigging a small plastic craw for river smallmouth?

[Ohioguy25]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Savage_Gear_Ned_Craw_4pk/descpage-SGNC.html

I got these 2.5” Ned craws from savage gear. I have previously used the TRD Crawz, these are an even more lifelike imitation with hyper realistic detail.  
 

I know the general consensus around hyper realism is that it is no more effective, possibly even counter productive but they were on sale so I figured I’d give them a try. 
 

What are some alternate ways besides Ned to rig these, possibly to play into the realism? I considered a swing head or finesse bulletz to give it more range of motion, something to make it go up and down rather than just standing straight up.

[Pat Brown]

Free rig.  Drop shot.  C rig.  

[Ohioguy25]

8 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

Free rig.  Drop shot.  C rig.  

Carolina? How would I control it?

[Pat Brown]

Carolina rig is more about using the leader length and current to your advantage and a heavy weight will surely keep it where it needs to be.  Just a way of presenting soft plastics in current that works well!  You just drag it around and let the secondary action get the bites mostly.

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, Pat Brown said:

Carolina rig is more about using the leader length and current to your advantage and a heavy weight will surely keep it where it needs to be.  Just a way of presenting soft plastics in current that works well!  You just drag it around and let the secondary action get the bites mostly.

Yeah I can see how that would keep it in the strike zone longer 

[Scott F]

Did you watch the videos within the link you provided? 

[FishTank]

BFS gear, braid with leader, 1/0 EWG and 1/16 bullet weight or a 1/16 free rig. Just let it sit. Current will be a big factor. 

[heavyduty]

Sled jig in 1/16 or 1/8oz on a #1 hook.

https://northbranchtackle.com/products/sled-jig

 

They also have a weedless football jig on a #1 hook.

[PaulVE64]

On the river I'm probably trying different wts.

So a split shot rig until I figure it out, then probably a texas rig 

[WRB]

I would rig the Craw using a 90 degree hook 1/8 oz  football jig, no weed guard. The hook eye should be extended about 1/16- 3/32” above the top of the jig head. The hook eye is pushed up through the center of the craws flat tail exposing the hook eye on top of the tail and tied on. The hook is rigged Weedless skin hooked on the top Craw body.

This is how I rigged plastic Crawdad that look like a real crawdad. 

The retrieve moves the Craw backwards like a panicked crawdad.

Tom

[bowhunter63]

Bitsy Bug jig trim the skirt a little bit. It flat up catches them 

[Ohioguy25]

19 hours ago, WRB said:

I would rig the Craw using a 90 degree hook 1/8 oz  football jig, no weed guard. The hook eye should be extended about 1/16- 3/32” above the top of the jig head. The hook eye is pushed up through the center of the craws flat tail exposing the hook eye on top of the tail and tied on. The hook is rigged Weedless skin hooked on the top Craw body.

This is how I rigged plastic Crawdad that look like a real crawdad. 

The retrieve moves the Craw backwards like a panicked crawdad.

Tom

Can you possibly link me a visual? That sounds awesome I’m just having trouble envisioning.

[WRB]

PM your email

Tom

[WRB]

Sent, let me know if received,

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

Got it, thanks bud!

[Siebert Outdoors]

shaky head it.

[BASS302]

@Ohioguy25

I don't mean to derail this thread - I went to the link and it said:

"Custom Duratech formulation"

What is Duratech, and does it play well with other plastics?  Or is it like ElaZtech?  Or is it another name for ElaZtech?

 

[Ohioguy25]

All of these “ultra durable plastics” I believe use the same or a similar derivative of Elaztech - Nikko, Savage, Z Man. All have the same inability to mix.

On 9/19/2023 at 10:11 AM, Siebert Outdoors said:

shaky head it.

What about a swing head?

[Bdnoble84]

On 9/16/2023 at 8:34 PM, WRB said:

I would rig the Craw using a 90 degree hook 1/8 oz  football jig, no weed guard. The hook eye should be extended about 1/16- 3/32” above the top of the jig head. The hook eye is pushed up through the center of the craws flat tail exposing the hook eye on top of the tail and tied on. The hook is rigged Weedless skin hooked on the top Craw body.

This is how I rigged plastic Crawdad that look like a real crawdad. 

The retrieve moves the Craw backwards like a panicked crawdad.

Tom

Wow, this is genius. Never would have considered that method.

[WRB]

Thank you?! I should include The original Charlie Brewer Slider 1/8 oz is ideal for the flat tail craws.

Tom

[flyfisher]

Confidence baits draggin head in whatever weight you want

[Sylvaneous]

I have to say, super realistic lures like that can be a problem.  They spin.  They don't look ALIVE when fished, when in action.  A crayfish like that is walking forward or sitting still, and that's probably not what you want to do with it. I have a very impressionistic  weighted crawfish streamer fly that looks so much like a craw MOVING over the bottom...