One Often Forgotten Lure Category You MUST Take to Mexico
In our “Ultimate Guide to El Salto and Picachos,” I’ve written numerous articles about my favorite lures for bass fishing in Mexico – along with others that have failed, and others that are still under evaluation. Obviously, certain soft plastics like Senkos, lizards and big worms are no brainers any time you’re heading South of the Border, but the heavy emphasis on those groups occasionally obscures another category that you MUST pack if you want to be efficient: soft plastic craws.
Their value lies in their versatility. It’s rare that bass are keyed in on a lizard over a worm over a creature bait – although those situations do occasionally arise – and in those cases a big flapping crawfish can often be Texas Rigged or Carolina Rigged just as effectively. Moreover, if you choose the right one, it can also be used in the following manners:
Trailer on a flipping, casting or swim jig
Trailer on a Chatterbait
The main attraction on a Biffle Head (wobble head)
In lieu of a skirt on a buzzbait
Topwater buzz toad
All of that makes it one of the most versatile space-savers you can bring. Even if it’s not your number one bite, it can be a “utility player” in a lot of circumstances.
Here are some of the ones we like:
Crawfish Considerations
Packing – Many of the newer craws, like the Rage Craw or the Yama Craw, come in clamshell packaging. This has pros and cons – the former include the fact that the pincers will remain unbent, while the latter include the fact that they take up a lot of space in your luggage and your boat bag, particularly if you need a lot of them. If you’re going to keep the craws at the lake long-term, the clamshells are a huge boon, but otherwise they may prove to be a hassle.
Colors – As with most common soft plastics, craws come in an endless array of color patterns, so go with your confidence shades. You don’t need to go overboard. In most cases you can get away with something natural to match your jigs – browns and greens – as well as darker shades like black and blue. Some white for swim jigs and Chatterbaits will also come in handy. Of course, you should always have chartreuse dipping dye or marker pens.
Durability – There are some craws that rip more easily than others. It’s a trade off --- sometimes the softer ones have better action, but without a claw they’re effectively useless. Use your discretion when you determine how many to bring, and shy away from hollow craws. Of course, with some Super Glue or Mend It you can make them last a bit longer, albeit not forever.
Action – While the bass in Mexico can be ultra-aggressive, they are Florida Strains, which means that at times they can be moody, or even finicky. Sometimes they want a lure with a lot of action, like a big ribbontail worm, and in other situations they want something more subtle, like a Senko on the same Texas Rig. The same holds true with craws. While I haven’t fished a finesse craw in Mexico, there are times when the bass will prefer heavier flapping claws as opposed to those that are less action-oriented. Pack some of each.
Hooks – If you’re going to Texas Rig them, make sure you have the right hooks. Most of the craws listed above have lengthy bodies that can hold a 4/0 to 6/0 model. However, while I may use an EWG (or Superline EWG) with my worms and lizards, with the craws I like a straight shank model.
