Alexei Volkov
Rigging a plastic crawdad is a popular method for bass fishing. There are several ways to rig a plastic crawdad, including the Texas rig, the Carolina rig, and the wacky rig. The Texas rig is the most common method, where the hook is inserted into the nose of the crawdad, pushed through the body, and buried in the body, paired with a bullet weight. The Carolina rig is used for deeper waters, with a similar hook placement but with the addition of a bead to prevent the sinker from damaging the knot. The wacky rig is a simpler method, piercing the middle of the crawdad with a thin wire hook, and can be used with or without a weight.
How to Rig a Plastic Crawdad
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rigging Technique | Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Wacky Rig, Jig Head Rig |
| Hook | Wide-gap hook, Worm hook, Thin wire hook, Twist lock hooks, Gamakatsu skipgap hooks |
| Weight | Bullet weight, Egg sinker, Drop shot weight |
| Line | Main line, Tag line |
| Other Equipment | Plastic bead, Swivel |
| Fishing Conditions | Shallow water, Deep water, Open water, Heavy cover, Grass, Rocks, Docks, Trees |
| Bait | Garlic, Netbait Green pumpkin magic craws, Zoom super speed craws, Sled heads, Buckeye sledheads, Outkast Tackle 401Kraw Jigs |
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What You'll Learn
Texas Rigging
To Texas rig a plastic crawdad, you will need a wide-gap hook (usually 3/0 to 5/0, depending on the size of your crawdad) and a bullet weight. Start by inserting the hook into the nose of the crawdad, pushing it through the body, and exiting the hook about a quarter of an inch down. Then, slide the crawdad up the hook's shank, twist it around, and bury the hook point back into the body to keep it weedless. This allows the lure to move through weeds and structure without snagging.
When choosing a weight, opt for the lightest bullet weight you can use while still allowing the crawdad to fall slowly to the bottom. Most anglers use tungsten bullet weights ranging from 1/8-3/4 oz, adjusting the weight depending on the current, depth, and cover. Pairing your Texas-rigged EWG with a light weight will allow the crawdad's legs to dangle as it falls slowly to the bottom, mimicking the natural movement of a crawfish.
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Wacky Rigging
To wacky rig a soft plastic crawdad, start by taking a thin wire hook and piercing it through the middle of the crawfish. This is much simpler than Texas or Carolina rigs, where the hook is threaded through the bait. With wacky rigging, both ends of the crawfish will dangle free. You can then choose to fish this rig weightless in shallow water, or add a small weight to the hook for deeper presentations. The weightless option will create a slow fall, while the weighted option will produce a natural fluttering action as the crawfish sinks. This unpredictable motion can be extremely enticing to bass, especially in clearer waters. Try fishing this rig in areas with docks or overhanging trees.
When rigging a soft plastic crawdad, you can also get creative with colours. You can be as specific as you like, even using ink pens to add detail. Dying the tips of the claws in chartreuse, orange, red or another colour can be effective. Alternatively, you can keep it simple and mimic a bluegill with black and blue, or try a red, green pumpkin or olive shade.
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Carolina Rigging
To set up a Carolina rig, you will need a two-way barrel swivel, weight, leader, beads or clackers, hook, and your plastic crawfish lure. The process involves tying your main line to the swivel, then attaching a 12-18" leader of lighter line to the other side of the swivel. This lighter line allows the plastic crawfish to float just off the bottom, creating a natural, free-swimming action that attracts bass. The weight keeps the crawfish at the desired depth, and the beads or clackers add some extra appeal to your rig.
When choosing a hook for Carolina rigging, consider using an Extra Wide Gap (EWG) hook, which is ideal for fishing through and around cover such as grass, wood, docks, and rocks. You can pair this hook with a lightweight bullet weight, allowing your crawfish bait to fall slowly and naturally. Remember to match the weight to the current, depth, and cover you're fishing in—a slower, natural fall is often more enticing to bass.
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Choosing hooks and weights
When rigging a plastic crawdad, there are several factors to consider when choosing hooks and weights. The type of hook and weight you use will depend on the specific technique you are using, the type of water you are fishing in, and the behaviour of the bass you are targeting.
For Texas rigging, a wide-gap hook is typically used, usually sized between 3/0 to 5/0, depending on the size of your crawfish bait. The hook is inserted into the nose of the crawdad, pushed through the body, and then threaded back up through the body with a quarter-inch gap between the entry and exit points. A bullet weight is added to the line, with the weight sliding freely above the hook to allow the crawfish to sink naturally. The weight should be chosen based on how fast or slow you want the crawdad to fall, with 3/8 or 1/2 ounce being common sizes, but adjustable depending on the current, depth, and cover. When fishing in heavier cover, such as grass, wood, docks, or rocks, a heavier weight may be desired.
For Carolina rigging, the weight is also an important component. The weight keeps the crawfish at the desired depth, while a lighter leader allows for a natural, free-swimming action. The setup typically involves a two-way barrel swivel, weight, leader, beads or clackers, hook, and craw. In clear water, a longer leader is preferred, ranging from 18 to 24 inches, or even longer in deep, clear water.
When fishing in shallow water, you may choose to go weightless or add a light weight to create a slow fall. This natural fluttering action can be enticing to bass, especially in clearer waters where they can observe the subtle, lifelike movement of the crawfish.
Additionally, keel-weighted hooks, such as the Moaner Hooks, can be effective for fishing certain craws, such as the Spear Craw. The weight distribution on these hooks can make the craw stand up at an angle, resembling a defensive posture that can attract bass.
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Jig head rigging
To rig a plastic crawdad with a jig head, first choose a jig head size that matches the size of your soft plastic crawfish. Select a lighter jig head for shallow water, or a heavier one for deeper water. Then, insert the hook into the nose of the crawdad and slide it down the hook's shank until the soft plastic is snug against the jig head. Some jigs have notched or wire trailer keepers, but if yours does not, a small dab of superglue will do the trick.
When fishing with a jig head-rigged plastic crawdad, it is important to match the colour of your jig and trailer to something a bass will want to eat. A black-and-blue jig, for example, can mimic a bluegill or dark crawfish, while a camo skirt with a green pumpkin craw can imitate a crayfish or bluegill. If you're swimming the jig to mimic a shad, a white/black skirt with a white or pearl craw will do the trick.
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Frequently asked questions
Texas rigging is a popular method for rigging a plastic crawdad. This method involves inserting a wide-gap hook (usually 3/0 to 5/0) into the nose of the crawdad, pushing it through the body, and exiting the hook about a quarter inch down. A bullet weight can also be added to the line to allow the crawdad to sink naturally.
A wide-gap hook is typically used for Texas rigging a plastic crawdad. The size of the hook will depend on the size of your crawdad bait, with sizes ranging from 3/0 to 5/0. Other hook options include a worm hook or a thin wire hook for wacky rigging.
In addition to Texas rigging, other rigging methods include Carolina rigging and wacky rigging. Carolina rigging is better suited for deeper water or when trying to cover more ground. Wacky rigging uses a thin wire hook pierced through the middle of the crawdad, creating a natural fluttering action as it sinks.
