8/21/2010

The Strike - Crawdads

Most anglers are familiar with the lobster-like crayfish. When crayfish (crawdads) are present in a lake, they're often the predominant food source for the lake's bass. For each full-size crayfish you see, there's a significant population of smaller crayfish trying to grow to that size. Like all crustaceans, their coloring varies with the local conditions, bottom color, and diet --- anything from bright orange to almost black.

Crayfish are especially important in the winter, spring, and fall, when baitfish schools have thinned out. For the best crawfish imitations, use jigs, skirt grubs, plastic crawdads, deep-diving crankbaits, and even single-bladed spinnerbaits. You'll get the most strikes by lifting the lure off the bottom of the lake and letting it fall (but keep the line taut to detect the hits). This imitates the way a crawfish swims backwards in quick bursts when it's surprised or in danger. Bump rocks, stumps, and other bottom structures with crankbaits for a similar effect. Bass can often be triggered into striking when a lure makes contact or noise. Similarly, adding the soft click of a lure rattle may help in some conditions.

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