Hi All, its the New Smallmouth Guy
Rusty Craws and Rusty Craw hybrids were the #1 forage base in the NB Susquehanna. But the past 2 seasons the crayfish population is at a low point. The good news is the Madtom (stone cats) and baitfish are at a all time high. We had a little trouble adjusting to this as Tubes, Jigs and Spider Grubs just were not as effective, we had few days over 50 fish.
The answer came from a close friend who proceded to give me a fishing lesson with Soft Plastic Swimbaits, while I fished a Jerkbait. Now we are catching big fish and big numbers on Swimmies. The fish are not as Fat because they expend more energy chasing bait then do picking up craws. The great thing is they work all year long, you just have to fish them differently.
We fish them on a 1/16oz head when fish are Shallow or we want to fish them slow in cold water. A 1/8oz head for current or deeper fish in warm water. Another way we use them is on a Keystone Rig, which has 3 baits and is used when fish are chasing for multiple hook up's or like you would use a spinnerbait in heavy stained water.
Couple of suggestions. Use jigheads that have a collar and a wire keeper as these baits pull off easily. Ribbed baits with large paddle tail have more action when fished slow. Try to get ones with no salt because they are more durable as we can go thru 30 baits on a 50 fish day. The baits with an extended belly have a swing as well as tail action. Timmees Swimmies in 3.5" seem to work the best for us.
Example of there effectiveness, Tuesday we started out throwing Square Bills, Spinnerbaits and Jerkbaits. One fish on a Jerkbait the first 1/2 hour then switched to Swimmies and caught 108 in 4-1/2 hrs. As a bonus they also work great on Walleye our grub fishing days are over. Anyone fishing the Delaware, Raritan or Passaic might want to try these.
Rusty Craws and Rusty Craw hybrids were the #1 forage base in the NB Susquehanna. But the past 2 seasons the crayfish population is at a low point. The good news is the Madtom (stone cats) and baitfish are at a all time high. We had a little trouble adjusting to this as Tubes, Jigs and Spider Grubs just were not as effective, we had few days over 50 fish.
The answer came from a close friend who proceded to give me a fishing lesson with Soft Plastic Swimbaits, while I fished a Jerkbait. Now we are catching big fish and big numbers on Swimmies. The fish are not as Fat because they expend more energy chasing bait then do picking up craws. The great thing is they work all year long, you just have to fish them differently.
We fish them on a 1/16oz head when fish are Shallow or we want to fish them slow in cold water. A 1/8oz head for current or deeper fish in warm water. Another way we use them is on a Keystone Rig, which has 3 baits and is used when fish are chasing for multiple hook up's or like you would use a spinnerbait in heavy stained water.
Couple of suggestions. Use jigheads that have a collar and a wire keeper as these baits pull off easily. Ribbed baits with large paddle tail have more action when fished slow. Try to get ones with no salt because they are more durable as we can go thru 30 baits on a 50 fish day. The baits with an extended belly have a swing as well as tail action. Timmees Swimmies in 3.5" seem to work the best for us.
Example of there effectiveness, Tuesday we started out throwing Square Bills, Spinnerbaits and Jerkbaits. One fish on a Jerkbait the first 1/2 hour then switched to Swimmies and caught 108 in 4-1/2 hrs. As a bonus they also work great on Walleye our grub fishing days are over. Anyone fishing the Delaware, Raritan or Passaic might want to try these.
