Alexei Volkov
Soft plastic crawfish are a versatile and effective tool for fishing, particularly for bass. There are several ways to rig a soft plastic crawfish, depending on the presentation and cover. A Texas rig, for example, involves threading the hook through the nose of the crawfish, out the side, and back into the bait near the head, paired with a bullet weight to achieve a slow fall. Wacky rigging, on the other hand, uses a thin wire hook pierced through the middle of the crawfish, allowing both ends to dangle free. Anglers can also use jig heads with soft plastic crawfish, choosing a jig head size that matches the bait and swimming or bouncing it along the bottom to imitate a crawfish's natural movement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hook type | Worm hook, EWG Gamme, Extra Wide Gap hook, thin wire hook |
| Hook placement | Through the back, through the tail and out the side, through the nose, through the middle |
| Weight | Bullet weight, tungsten weight, pegged weight, drop shot weight |
| Weight placement | Above the hook, on the tag line |
| Technique | Texas rigging, wacky rigging, jig head rigging, drop shotting |
| Use case | Rocky areas, shallow water, isolated cover, pitching or punching |
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What You'll Learn
Using a worm hook
First, choose the right worm hook for the job. A 2 or 3 worm hook is ideal for crawfish. If you're using a larger craw, you might need a bigger hook, and vice versa for smaller craws. An offset hook with an L-shaped bend below the hook eye can also work well, as it allows the crawfish to dangle freely, imitating its natural movement.
Now, it's time to rig your plastic crawfish onto the hook. One effective method is to start by pushing the tip of the hook into the center of the plastic crawfish's body. You want the hook to be embedded at least 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) to prevent the plastic from tearing too easily. Maneuver the hook so that it slightly bulges the outer surface without breaking through. This will help ensure the crawfish stays securely on the hook.
Next, guide the hook point out of the side of the crawfish's body. You want the hook point to emerge near the head of the crawfish, about 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) from the top. This will create a weedless presentation and help prevent snags.
Finally, finish sliding the crawfish up the hook shaft until it reaches the hook eye, or the ring where you'll tie your fishing line. You can also try a "'Texas' rig" or a "'Carolina' rig". For a Texas rig, thread a bullet sinker onto the line before tying on the hook, with the sinker touching or almost touching the top of the crawfish's head. A Carolina rig, on the other hand, separates the sinker and the hook, using a spacer bead and a barrel swivel.
With your plastic crawfish securely rigged on a worm hook, you're now ready to try your luck at catching some bass or other fish species! Remember to experiment with different techniques and adjust your approach based on the fishing conditions and the behavior of your target species.
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Texas rigging
To Texas rig a soft plastic crawfish, you will need a wide-gap hook, usually 3/0 to 5/0 in size, depending on the size of your crawfish bait. You will also need a bullet weight, with most anglers using tungsten weights ranging from 1/8-3/4 oz. The weight can be adjusted depending on the current, depth, and cover.
- Insert the hook into the nose of the crawfish.
- Push the hook through the body and exit about a quarter-inch down.
- Slide the bait up the hook's shank and twist it, so the hook point is buried back into the bait. This keeps it weedless, reducing the chances of snagging.
- Attach a leader (a lighter line) of 1-2 feet to the other side of the swivel. This allows the crawfish to float just off the bottom.
- Pair your Texas-rigged hook with the lightest bullet weight you can use, allowing the craw bait to fall slowly to the bottom.
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Wacky rigging
To wacky rig a soft plastic crawfish, start by tying a small hook (size 1 or 2) directly to the main line with a Palomar knot, leaving about 12-18 inches of tag end. This tag end is where you will attach your weight. For wacky rigging, a thin wire hook is ideal. Next, pierce the hook through the middle of the soft plastic crawfish, so both ends dangle free. This differs from the Texas or Carolina rigs, where the hook is threaded through the bait.
When wacky rigging, it is best to use a floating plastic crawfish, as this will create a natural presentation that mimics the defensive position of a crawfish. This alert position is irresistible to bass.
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Jig head rigging
Firstly, select a jig hook that suits the size of your plastic craw. Slide the craw onto the jig hook, ensuring that it sits snugly on the shank against the skirt of the jig. Some jigs feature notched or wire trailer keepers, providing a secure hold. If your jig lacks these features, a small amount of Super Glue can be applied to keep the craw in place.
When rigging, it's crucial to match the jig and trailer combination to resemble something a bass would want to eat. For instance, a black-and-blue combo imitates a bluegill or dark crawfish, while a camo skirt with a green pumpkin craw mimics a crayfish or bluegill. You can also opt for a white or black skirt with a white or pearl craw to mimic shad.
Once the craw is securely attached to the jig, you can choose to swim or bounce it. Swimming involves slowly dragging the jig along the bottom, imitating a crawfish's natural movement. Alternatively, bouncing involves jerking the jig off rocks and logs, replicating a crawfish darting in and out of hiding. This technique is particularly effective when fishing on rocky bottoms, drop-offs, or ledges, and when bass are feeding on crayfish or other bottom-dwelling prey.
Additionally, you can enhance your jig head rigging by adding a weight. This can be achieved by tying a drop shot weight to the end of your fishing line, allowing the crawfish to hover just off the bottom, making it more appealing to bass.
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Choosing the right jig head size
- Visual Proportion: Opt for a jig head size that visually fits the bait. Avoid pairing a tiny bait with an oversized jig head, as it may appear unnatural to the fish. The jig head's hook should be mostly concealed within the lure's body, with only enough of the point and gap protruding to hook a fish easily.
- Lure Type and Action: Different crawfish lures are designed for specific fishing situations and techniques. For example, the YUM CrawBug is ideal for rocky, snag-free areas, and works well when dragged like a tube or hopped along the bottom. The YUM Craw Papi is versatile and can be used for Texas or Carolina rigging, jig trailers, or finesse techniques like Ned rigging and drop-shotting.
- Water Conditions: Consider the water clarity and visibility when selecting jig head colours. Red is a popular default colour choice for various situations. Chartreuse is recommended for murky waters to provide contrast, while grey or other subtle colours are preferred when fish are spooked.
- Weight: The weight of the jig head should complement the lure and your fishing technique. For example, when using a Texas rig, some anglers prefer to use the lightest weight possible, allowing for more natural movement of the lure.
By considering these factors and understanding the specific characteristics of your plastic crawfish lure, you can make an informed decision about choosing the right jig head size and type to maximise your fishing success.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to rig a plastic crawfish, including wacky rigging, Texas rigging, and Carolina rigging. Wacky rigging involves piercing a thin wire hook through the middle of the crawfish, allowing both ends to dangle free. Texas rigging involves threading the hook through the nose of the crawfish, pushing it through the body, and exiting the hook a quarter inch down. Carolina rigging is used for fishing in deeper water or trying to cover more ground.
A small hook, typically size 1 or 2, is recommended for plastic crawfish. You can also use a worm hook, a 2/0 or 3/0 EWG hook, or a Gamakatsu skipgap hook.
A bullet weight can be added to your line to help the crawfish sink naturally. The weight should be sliding freely above the hook. When using a Texas rig, pair it with the lightest bullet weight possible, typically ranging from 1/8-3/4 oz.
Plastic crawfish can be fished in many ways. You can drag them behind a kayak or cast them in front of weed beds. When using a jig head, swim the jig slowly along the bottom or bounce it off rocks and logs to imitate a crawfish's natural movement.
