working a crayfish lure

[The Flying Tench]

I read recently that crayfish swim backwards in quite fast spurts as an escape mechanism, though they can walk both forwards and backwards. So does this mean you should work a crayfish lure backwards? Has anyone tried both options?

[Anthony78]

Hi John,

I'm told that if you want to single out the bigger fish the a stand up jig head just inched along the bottom is a killer method. I've not tried it myself yet but will be taking some next time I fish Bleheim palace lake as I think it would be a killer method on there.

 

These are the jig heads I've been advised to use:

http://www.harrissportsmail.com/en/Fox-Rage-Stand-Up-Lipstick-Jig-Heads/m-17921.aspx?gclid=CK-hs5Gzk8oCFcG7GwodjpEB-A&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=UnitedKingdom

[Newt]

Backwards in fast spurts and forward slow & steady can both work depending on the fish's preference at a given time. Its a trial & error situation so you really should try both and see what works best at that particular time.

 

The lure shape, size, and colour should mimic whatever species of mud bug is prevalent in a given water.

 

The stand up jig is also an excellent idea and especially on a mud bottom since the little cloud of mud when you move the jig is much like what happens when a cray is trying to escape.

[The Flying Tench]

Thanks, Newt - will do.

[Anderoo]

I've has a little bit of success with crayfish lures on the midlands canals, for both perch and zander. Both with little tiny lures and bigger ones up to about 2.5". In both cases I fished them on a small jig head, hooked so they come in backwards. I haven't tried them forwards.

 

I caught by bringing them back very slowly across the bottom - a slow turn of the reel handle with the rod help high, then a long pause. Bites were gentle but pronounced little donks on the rod tip (ultra light rod) and often came when the lure was static on the bottom. I think fish sometimes follow the lure and pick it up when it stops moving.

 

It takes some nerve to fish them properly as you're fishing them so slowly - each cast, even on a little canal, takes ages! So it's easy to get twitchy, lose faith, and swap for a little paddle tail. But they do work.

 

I would definitely recommend trying them out somewhere you're likely to get plenty of bites. After half an hour of biteless fishing you'll be conviced it's a total waste of time

[Phone]

Tench,

 

No science - I've had better luck with artificial crayfish if I use the spray and dip goops.

 

Phone

 

edit: work them the same as Newt - any species of target fish

Edited January 9, 2016 by Phone

[Vagabond]

work them the same as Newt - any species of target fish

In other words, don't think like a fish, think like a crayfish.

 

Of course, taken to its logical conclusion, that has a lot of anglers thinking like a lump of luncheon meat.

[ayjay]

Of course, taken to its logical conclusion, that has a lot of anglers thinking like a lump of luncheon meat.

 

I'm pink, therefore I'm Spam.