Gapen Ugly Bug

[Mobasser]

This is an old one, created by Dan Gapen Sr. in 1969.       It was first created as a walleye jig for river fishing, but quickly became popular as a bass lure also. A crawfish, helgramite imitation.                       These are still available in several colors and weights from 1/32 on up to saltwater sizes.              The Ugly Bug has always looked like a good fish catcher. It's one of those baits I always wanted to try, but never did.                                             If you've used the Gapen Ugly Bug, what were your best colors, weights, and retrieves?

[scaleface]

I never had any but  they would kill the smallmouth in rivers. 

[detroit1]

Dan and Bobber Ann always had a display at the Detroit area fishing show since the 70's. About 6 yrs. ago i bought a half dozen hard baits he was selling that were made in Poland. He was selling them 3 for $20, i should have bought more. Beautiful baits made of wood with great paint and hardware, and worked great right out of the box. I would consider them more of a pike bait, but will catch some big lm. Dan passed a few years back (r.i.p.), but Ann is still "manning" the booth at the show. They have unique bobbers for you bobber fishers.

[Scott F]

I started using his crawfish bug many years ago after I purchased some from him at an outdoor show in Chicago. I caught fish on them in the river, but they didn’t come through the rocks as easily as Slider Heads do in and I lost them all. 

[Eric 26]

@Mobasser I haven’t seen an ugly bug for many years but if I had access to my late brother’s tackle box I’m sure he had at least one stashed away from our younger days. If I may ask where are they being sold these days as I’ve not seen them in my favorite local tackle shop and he carries quite a bit of “locally “ made tackle.

[Mobasser]

3 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

@Mobasser I haven’t seen an ugly bug for many years but if I had access to my late brother’s tackle box I’m sure he had at least one stashed away from our younger days. If I may ask where are they being sold these days as I’ve not seen them in my favorite local tackle shop and he carries quite a bit of “locally “ made tackle.

Eric, I did a Google search of Gapen Tackle. They're in Minnesota. They sell several baits, Ugly Bugs and others. They also have a line of casting and spinning rods which look like nice rods for the money. It's still a family business, and I believe they've been in business for 60 years or longer.

[Eric 26]

@Mobasser Thanks for the information which I suppose I could have googled myself 😬. Although I don’t fish rivers I’m going to go to their site now just for the heck of it😃

[waymont]

Had a bunch as a kid. Lost them over the years when I got back into bass fishing 20 years ago. Great head design and always caught fish. I use a shaky head in any condition I would have used an ugly bug now.