Catch Smallmouths Everywhere with YUM Craw Bugs

When I taught myself to smallmouth fish nearly 20 years ago, I learned my ways with the Yum Craw Bug. It caught some of my best smallmouth early on in my career on lakes, rivers and flowages. Then for a long time, it went on a retirement for me.

In recent seasons, it’s making a comeback in my tackle box. In mid-summer, it is now one of the boat’s best options for catching smallmouth during the crayfish molting period, and when bass are heavily feeding on crayfish.

The 2.5″ Craw Bug fishes well on spinning gear with smaller 1/8 oz. and 1/4 oz. football heads. This smallie snack is a fabulous finesse fishing jigging option. It may also be worked with tube jig inserts, as well as Texas Rigged with my favorite tungsten bullet weights and a Trokar Tournament Tube Hook in 1/0 and 2/0 sizes. The 3.5″ Craw Bug meanwhile is fished in similar ways, except with heavier jigs and weights.

For best durability and the most snag-proof rig, consider fishing the craw bug with a weedless ned, as pictured.  Gregg Kizewski, of 3G Smallmouth Solutions in St. Germain, WI produces his Next Level Jig that can be Texas rigged. It avoids snags beautifully.

Rigged with 3G Smallmouth Solutions Next Level Ned Jig

When it was introduced in the mid 2000’s, it seems to me that more color options were available back then. My box of craw bugs is mainly comprised of colors and unique shades of crayfish that are currently not in YUM’s color lineup or available for sale anywhere on the web.

Built to satisfy the hunger of bass, the Yum Crawbug delivers an ultra-realistic crawfish imitation is able to fool the most seasoned large bass. Designed with three-dimensional detailing never-before-seen in a soft plastic, the Yum Crawbug features a super-soft texture that makes it incredibly lifelike. Molded with a hollow body and flapping appendages, the Yum Crawbug perfectly imitates a fleeing crawfish as it scurries along the lake floor.

Don’t visit any river or stream fishery without them either.

These are universal river and stream fishing favorites, recipients of my preferential treatment. I rig up with jig head inserts, plain ball heads, and weedless 1/8 oz. Owner Weighted Worm Hook or Charlie Brewer Slider Heads. I allow my environment and potential for snags to determine which hook type to use, and whether to run exposed, texposed, or completely buried within.

Soft plastics manufacturers today have produced an array of craw baits that rival the 300+ species that inhabit U.S. waters, some with realistic claws and some with flattened claws that flap when pulled, creating naturalism and vibration. They’re great as standalone presentations jigged or Texas Rigged, and as jig trailers.

Craw baits like this one are available in all sizes and color forms. Keeping your baits looking as natural as possible, in appearance and movement, is the trick to catching smallmouths infatuated with crayfish.

Pay close attention to what fish are puking. This will clue you in on how to match the hatch, setting you up with the best odds in catching them.

The St. Croix Rod For the Job

For best feel and action, consider a medium fast. The newly redesigned St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass is a luxury of power and sensitivity to hold. The Versatile Spinning (LBTS71MF) is my go-to for dragging tubes, and casting finesse bottom baits. 

Its best characteristics are bite detection and power. It is more balanced and sensitive that the prior generation LTB models. If you currently don’t have a rod like this one, you should consider. This specific model packs a ton of power, and is paired up with a Quantum Energy 30 PT, spooled with 20 lb. Cortland Line Masterbraid.

Another good alternative worthy of a look is the Victory Light-Weight (VTS610MLXF). This one has slightly more action which would make it a better option for numbers fishing and wade fishing smaller streams.