rlcam Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 This may have been done before or it may be just crazy thinking,either way if it is just ignore it.I was thinking about making a crawfish imitating crankbait and at the back drill a hole through the bait(from side to side).In the hole epoxy in a skirt or (something similar) to mimic claws.I have seen some baits with claws painted on the bill,but isn't that backwards.When a crawfish is in defense mode he backs up so the claws will be pointing at the Bass or other predator.If you could make it a suspender it would stay put once it hit rock or bottom.I know they make cranks that are built in the shape of a craw but this was just an idea that hit me as I sit here at work:?(really keeping my mind on my job:whistle:huh).Oh well it's late and theres no one on the lake fishing tonight to watch.....Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I think it would be awesome and more realistic. Why not give it a try and see what happens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 It is similar to an idea that is on my list of things to do, only my application was a pair of plastic frogs legs, pulled through the hole in the crank. I think it is a very good idea (well I would, wouldn't I!) and I think that you should persue it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Haha, VMan, what else is on that "list"? Hehe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Don't you like surprises? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Yeah... I guess... lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Here's mine. Shape of the old wooden bomber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 And while I am at it, how about one covered with real rattlesnake skin!! Yes real. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hold on Coley. I haven't seen a real rattlesnake since I left New Mexico in 1986, but looks like real rattlesnake hide to me. Did you hunt it up at one those rattlesnake roundups out west? Used to see them a lot lying around the sound suppressor pad soaking up the heat as sundown was going on. All the sudden, it they'd hear a noise, you'd hear rattles. The most I ever saw at once was 5, but my old supervisor claimed to have seen 7. The good ol' days??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac10 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Ricam, Just be careful what soft plastic you use, some will still react with the finish on the crank, and some will still eat the plastic itself....you'll just have to find a soft plastic that doesn't. Sounds like a great plan......good luck, Mac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clemmy Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I saw a Japanese homemade lure website with a silicone skirt attatched on the first hook, this was the "legs", the "claws" were represented in the bait itself. Kind of like an improved version of the old Creek Chub crawdad..... Clemmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughesy Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Mine isn't a skirt but soft plastic claws that just super glued to the belly. I like the legs also. Its suprising how long you can fish it before it gets torn up. This is on an old Rebel Super R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hold on Coley. I haven't seen a real rattlesnake since I left New Mexico in 1986, but looks like real rattlesnake hide to me. Did you hunt it up at one those rattlesnake roundups out west? Used to see them a lot lying around the sound suppressor pad soaking up the heat as sundown was going on. All the sudden, it they'd hear a noise, you'd hear rattles. The most I ever saw at once was 5, but my old supervisor claimed to have seen 7. The good ol' days??? I've lived in NM all 18 years of my life and never seen a rattlesnake... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooksLikeSinbad Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I like this idea. Another option would be instead of drilling a hole to feed the plastic through, you could put a coil on the back of the bait and attach a plastic craw trailer. OK, I just tried it and it looks pretty good. I suppose you'd want the paint scheme to be the other way though so the head is in the back and the tail is in the front. Coil Full trailer: Small trailer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Nice, I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captsully18 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 "OK, I just tried it and it looks pretty good. I suppose you'd want the paint scheme to be the other way though so the head is in the back and the tail is in the front." LooksLikeSinbad Do you really think the fish know difference? Great idea. Have you fished it yet? How does the weight of trailer affect the crankbait action? I do like the idea though. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooksLikeSinbad Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 "OK, I just tried it and it looks pretty good. I suppose you'd want the paint scheme to be the other way though so the head is in the back and the tail is in the front." LooksLikeSinbadDo you really think the fish know difference? Great idea. Have you fished it yet? How does the weight of trailer affect the crankbait action? I do like the idea though. David I have not fished it, I just did it today after reading this thread. I am sure that the plastic will affect the action, but if your fishing the crank along the bottom to simulate a craw it might work fine. I'll def. try it this spring. Oh, and yes. All fish notice the most minute details we put on lures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Try it and see how you like it. Many designs over the years have included soft plastic craws, leather, rubber, skirt material, foam claws, etc..... See how you like your design and how it stacks up to similar bait without claws. That is one of the fun parts about making lures trying out new things. Always interesting concept I know the Moonlight and Paw Paw craw was always one of the "old" lures that I thought looked neat. I have a Paw Paw Crawfish but legs and claws are long gone. I believe research articles indicate that bass show stronger predation on clawless craws (last time I collected craws I did to!!). I think berkley scientists came to the same conclussion when trying to design a super craw. I think they were disappointed to find a boring hunk of plastic elicited the most strikes. I did have a paper somewhere that suggested that it was also dependent upon size of the bass with larger bass being less intimidated but haven't been able to locate it. I like the skirt concept or other permanent styles better. As much as I get cranks snagged temporarily on stuff soft pastics would be a constant reattachment issue. I have only messed with a few and most of my concerns were with the action of the crank being deadened, but am sure could be worked around. I had a guy want a craw done like the one below with foamy claws so they would rise. Not for sure what would happen to the action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senkoman85 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Take a look at the River2Sea Crawler for some ideas, as well. It's a sweet little crankbait with claws that are free-swinging and made from (I assume) plastic, along with the rest of the bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captsully18 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I have not fished it, I just did it today after reading this thread. I am sure that the plastic will affect the action, but if your fishing the crank along the bottom to simulate a craw it might work fine. I'll def. try it this spring. Oh, and yes. All fish notice the most minute details we put on lures. Yeah, right. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooksLikeSinbad Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I like the skirt concept or other permanent styles better. As much as I get cranks snagged temporarily on stuff soft pastics would be a constant reattachment issue. I have only messed with a few and most of my concerns were with the action of the crank being deadened, but am sure could be worked around. I suppose you could make a jointed hard swimbait with the rear joint being the claws and moving independently from the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smirkplug Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 I love the rattlesnake ! and the bomber. I tried the river2sea alot in the ocean bays without much luck. You guys gave me an idea for a crab bait made from a spoon drilled in the side of the center with a hook on the other side of the center to swim like a fouled spoon. ... Ill let you know , thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 http://www.bettencourtbaits.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=284&start=0 Here is my version...They sink really slow.I built a wooden frame for the bodies too attatch too.. Coley,I like the looks of that crawbait of yours....did you make the rattle snake bait?..Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Nathan_ I will have to buy some of these when I get there, you even have AU colors, great work, you had better start toiling. pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
