dannyplug1 Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 I've been reading up on largemouth fishing. In California they use crawfish for linker hunting in the big resorvors for trophy linkers. Would be curious if others out there have had experiences using crayfish around here. And if they have what kind of rig do they use? Also interested in how to catch them for bait as no one I know sells them. Thanks Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastly Backlash Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 They are excellent for LMB. But you will end up catching a very diverse collection of fish as everything swimming from carp to catfish will eat a crawfish. Rig them on a basic slip rig, rig them weightless, or pinch a couple small split shots on the line a foot from the bait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastly Backlash Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 To catch them, get yourself a bait bucket, a pair of polarized sunglasses, and a nice clear rocky stream, lake shore, or river bank. Flip the rocks and grab the crayfish. If you have a small net, it can help too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slacker Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 They can be trapped. There are lots of articles kicking around the internet on how to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skitter Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 Shallow rocky waters and a size like coffee can Cut both ends off can remove any sharp edges Slowly lift rocks up and slide can over crayfish place in bait bucket Repeat Great baits ! (*member formerly known as 'Skitterpop') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billthe5th Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 LM do eat them, but I never caught on them any better than other baits. I always think of what my step-dad told me about stripers - how they will often have crabs in their stomach, but would rather eat something soft and fatty like a bunker in most cases. There's obviously a lot of variables, but the same happens with ling and sea bass and lots of SW fish, their stomachs will be loaded with shellfish, but guys fishing soft baits like clam will outfish them by a huge margin. Just something to think about. feeling uncreative today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 I use to catch, and use, crawfish for Smallmouths in the Adirondacks. While they work well enough, I found they didn't work any better than baitfish, like shiners or Creek Chubs, and were considerably more trouble. So I stuck with baitfish under a float. Bass can't seem to resist a struggling baitfish. "I think, that all right thinking people, are sick & tired of being told that they're sick & tired of being sick & tired. I, for one, am not. And I'm sick & tired of being told that I am." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassturds Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 if you use a jig with a craw trailer, catch a lot of largemouths. that jig looks like a crawfish, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastly Backlash Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Good idea bassturds. My favorite from Yum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassturds Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 yea the yum craw was my favorite, cant find them anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastly Backlash Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Quote:Originally Posted by bassturds yea the yum craw was my favorite, cant find them anymore It looks like they stopped producing it, but I still find them different plces on clearance. Otherwise, other softplastic craws look just like anyother small creature bait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripedbassking Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 yea the yum craw was my favorite, cant find them anymore Def good for largemouth, a craw crank baits good for rocky areas for smallies too! GOD made my Mold different from the rest, Then he broke that mold so I know I'm Blessed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dena Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Hook that crawdad from up and under the tali with the hook point coming out between the Thorax and tail. Enough weight to hold bottom, but not snag. Jerk the 'dad, and pull it backwards, mimicking their natural movements. You can net them with a seine in fast moving water by turning over rocks while holding the net down stream. Might even catch a Hellgramite, or Nymph. All make good natural baits. specially the Helly. Hook then through the collar, and you can use the bait for more than one fish...they are tough critters. Material abundance without character is the path of destruction. -Thomas JeffersonThere are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. -Soren Kierkegaard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howied Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I always contemplated using them for bass but lots of places don't sell them. I'm guessing they can be pricey? I know the river I fish for smallmouths are loaded with them. I was thinking of using them at a local pound that is heavily fished to give bass a different offering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripedbassking Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I always contemplated using them for bass but lots of places don't sell them. I'm guessing they can be pricey? I know the river I fish for smallmouths are loaded with them. I was thinking of using them at a local pound that is heavily fished to give bass a different offering. Good idea, always good to throw something different, pretty easy to trap them in like a little minnow trap GOD made my Mold different from the rest, Then he broke that mold so I know I'm Blessed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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