Comparing Crawfish Bass Baits to Live Crawfish UNDERWATER

This video compares a wide range of popular bass fishing crayfish presentations next to live crayfish underwater. The purpose is to help anglers gain a better sense of how different baits perform and imitate crayfish, and when each may be appropriate for various fishing situations. *See FEATURED PRODUCT links at the bottom.
Host McKeon Roberts introduces each bait from a variety of lure categories including soft plastics, jig and plastic pairings, crankbaits, Neko rigs, skirted bass jigs, swinging jigs (wobble head, Tokyo Rig, bladed jigs, and more. As McKeon notes, there’s no ‘best’ crayfish bait for all situations. Some are extreme anatomical and color matches (match the hatch) while others are abstractions of the real thing and offer unique fish-triggering attributes.
FEATURED PRODUCT (in order of appearance):
• Plano A-Series 2.0 Backpack: wired2.fish/Pl...
• Z-Man CrawDadZ (Discontinued). Good substitute: Z-Man Punch CrawZ: wired2.fish/Pu...
• Mustad Grip-Pin Ned Jig Head: wired2.fish/Gr...
• Z-Man TurboCrawZ: wired2.fish/Tu...
• Mustad Football Head: wired2.fish/Mu...
• Savage Gear 3D Craw: wired2.fish/Sa...
• VMC Ike Approved Neko Hook: wired2.fish/Ne...
• VMC Half Moon Weight: wired2.fish/Ha...
• VMC Neko Rings: wired2.fish/VM...
• WOO! Tungsten Nail Weights: wired2.fish/WO...
• Gene Larew Salt Craw: wired2.fish/Sa...
• Z-Man TRD CrawZ: wired2.fish/TR...
• VMC Neko Ring: wired2.fish/VM...
• Gary Yamamoto PsychoDad: wired2.fish/Ya...
• VMC Tokyo Rig: wired2.fish/To...
• VMC Tungsten Flippin Weight: wired2.fish/VM...
• Gene Larew Hammer Craw: wired2.fish/Wh...
• 13 Fishing Ninja Tail Craw: wired2.fish/Ni...
• Z-Man TurboCrawZ: wired2.fish/Tu...
• Lunkerhunt Descend Series Craw: wired2.fish/Lu...
• Gene Larew Biffle HardHead: wired2.fish/Bi...
• Gene Larew Biffle Bug: wired2.fish/Bi...
• 13 Fishing Rabbit Ear Wobble Craw: wired2.fish/13...
• Culprit Incredi-Punch: wired2.fish/Cu...
• Mustad Grip-Pin Max 3X Punch Hook: wired2.fish/Gr...
• WOO! Tungsten Never Chip Flipping Weight: wired2.fish/WO...
• 13 Fishing Ninja Tail Craw: wired2.fish/Ni...
• 13 Fishing Cliff Banger 70 Crankbait: wired2.fish/13...
-Strike King KVD HC Square Bill Silent Crankbait: wired2.fish/SK...
-13 Fishing Scamp 2.5 Sqaurebill Crankbait: wired2.fish/13...
-MEGABASS X Dad Crankbait (Discontinued)
-Z-Man CrossEyeZ Football Head Jig: wired2.fish/Cr...
-Z-Man TurboCrawZ: wired2.fish/Tu...
-Terminator Shuddering Bait: wired2.fish/Sh...
-13 Fishing Ninja Tail Craw: wired2.fish/Ni...
-Mercury Dockline Store: wired2.fish/Me...
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[@catboyzee]

One thing I noticed is that crayfish walk backwards in the same way that crabs do. Another thing I noticed is how slowly crawfish move when there's no obvious threat nearby. Its a reminder that likewise I really need to work on fishing creature baits very VERY slowly and with more subtlety. Patience when finesse fishing is definitely no easy undertaking. Very interesting footage to see, thanks for posting.

[@buithuc2848]

Having fished multiple s in different sizes and colors, kzbin.infoUgkxCbNOWAGmn6nfbCbJDmasvBq7J38KZNw2 this is by far my favorite. One thing to be aware of is the sided willow blade. One side is silver and the other is the green/orange shown. This is not bad, just unconventional. In terms of fishing, I have found the lure works just fine without a tail like a craw or shad. That addition is up to you. Also, the hook part where you attach the swivel snap or tie the line is a problem on baits these days, since it's able to slide up and down. However this lure seems to be tight enough that that doesn't happen often, and you can solve it by putting a thin slice of medical tube over the hook before attaching the line. Like others have said, it's really magic on a good windy day.

[@Robinson08853]

This is one of the best vids I have see on presentation. Please keep ‘me coming I think these are great for all levels

[@Wired2Fish]

Thank you, Lamar Robinson. The sole purpose of this was to give people a perspective not normally seen. We love doing these kinds of videos so let us know what you want to see and we'll shoot it-

[@jholl7339]

Even though a lot of the baits look good, many of the actions didn't exactly look realistic, especially when standing up on end.

[@noahbaldonado6327]

It’s 3 am, I’m watching a comparison of live crayfish and fake bait What has my life come to?

[@Wired2Fish]

And we love you for this Noah 😁

[@Stafernisy]

Theres only one way to become a bass pro

[@basshuntet607]

Things can be a lot worse! Sitting in a tree 19 degrees last November, bagged a big 9pt.large and small love crawdads.

[@basshuntet607]

@Noah Baldonado - good for you!! Largemouth and smallmouth love crawdads!! Learn it !! Live !!! Love it!!!

[@tomb9420]

Its 4am for me

[@diggy561]

Whoever gave this video a thumbs down has issues

[@reellifewithcinco7858]

Russian bots

[@Wired2Fish]

@@reellifewithcinco7858 😂

[@isayedit1806]

Yes indeed

[@84FrankDaTank]

I agree with you

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Dyslexic.

[@Nate_Cross]

This was an amazing video! Watching the actual crayfish react was awesome.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks a lot Nathan Cross! Helps dial in each presentation when seeing them side by side-

[@bassdogg8551]

I really like your videos where I live, I take new products to one of the many clear canals and works them so I can see the action and work on my speed of retrieve. Then when I go deep the mental picture of the best way to work the crayfish truly ups my capacity to catch bass and sometimes channel cats and flatheads. Your video is basically the same. Very nice job.

[@Wired2Fish]

We like how you think and operate Bass Dogg 🙌. A lot of the fun is about the presentation and trying to get bit on something artificial.

[@darrenhall7990]

I don't know how I missed this video. Fantastic! I pour/inject a 3.5" crawdad. I usually go worth lighter colors. Lighter colors look more like juvenile Crawfish, which are usually softer. You can really see how the real crayfish react, swim, and go into a defensive stance. Awesome!

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for giving it a watch Darren. We'd enjoy seeing your baits in action.

[@charlesbronson2806]

Great footage. I think the z man looks the best. Even the other crayfish were attacking it lol.

[@mikekosek2476]

What about some the live target, been eye balling them but not really sure, absolutely great video!

[@LeadMunitions]

Swing head for the win!!👍

[@isayedit1806]

This was great footage, really well done. Kudos guys

[@Wired2Fish]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeremiahgiles3593]

Needed the greatest craw bait of ALL TIME, the Strike King RAGE CRAW

[@Wired2Fish]

👍🏼 Next time??

[@josephshew6359]

I see everyone is suggesting single baits, which is great, but how about a video comparing some craws, beavers, and maybe a crawl worm style bait. And for a future thought, maybe compare the fall rate between a 7 and 10 inch worm on different weight/ hook setups. Good videos, keep'em coming guys.

[@Old-School-Bassin]

My hard bait of choice is my MudBugs model 20 and my favorite Big Bass model 22 I’ve accumulated over the years…… 👍 Would be cool to see that under water footage! Get Some! I Got Mine!

[@chrishimstedt9542]

Absolutely amazing idea with great video comparisons. You guys ROCK!

[@fishcamptv]

This is very useful to see the side by side! 😍

[@DaveC409]

Id like to see you do the Rage Craw, hammer craw, and the Net Baits Paca Craw compared to the live craws. Also I think a little more horizontal presentations. Slower drag and stop and go retrieves would help as well. I have a bass in an aquarium and feed him crawdads occasionally and he really doesn't mess with the craws that are in a fighting position. Thanks. This video you just did was great! One of the best video's I've watched on KZbin!

[@Wired2Fish]

Thank you DaveC409! Cool to hear that you have observed the crayfish and the bass interact. Definitely something to think about. To be honest that flat rock was kind of hard to impart action over unless you got it going a little fast on some baits. We did do the hammer craw on the Tokyo rig. Coulda done it on a Texas rig too since it’s such an awesome lil flippin bait. Thank you again for the insight!

[@AAGGProductions]

I'm just getting back into fishing and this video was helpful. Thanks.

[@Wired2Fish]

Glad to hear it Michael. There's a tremendous amount of lure options out there and they all catch fish under the right circumstances. We like the knowledge of knowing what different baits look like to help us make smart, informed decisions.

[@aggressiveanglerz2859]

How about the YUM "Crawbug" & the JAWBONE Craw Crankbait(with moving Claws)?

[@randallscheller8219]

yum craw bug 3.25"

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

Some of these look so good!

[@michaelmonkman5483]

Wow, this was great! I learned a lot from this!!!

[@Wired2Fish]

So did we! Thanks for watching-

[@haroldrogers6566]

Loved the presentation!!!!! The first z man crawdadz looked the best to me, and even the minnows liked it 👍👍

[@Wired2Fish]

It was really cool to see how they stack up against each other and how to work the lures to mimic the best crawfish action.

[@redneckinvegas]

Awesome job. Yum craw papi is one of the best crawdad baits. I thought you cranked a bit fast to mimic the crawdads. Dirty jigs is the best jig.

[@Wired2Fish]

We had to really wind up the crankbaits do get them to deflect in the shallow water. Definitely looked like it was being burned but did you see that paint job on the cliff banger? Changes color so fast and looks pretty sweet.

[@redneckinvegas]

@@Wired2Fish definitely some awesome baits and colors. Didn't care for the strike king stuff.

[@hooksetsarefree]

Wow, thank you for making this! A few that I thought looked particularly good were the Savage Gear on the football head, the TRD Crawz neko rigged, swimming the Turbo Crawz on the Tokyo Rig, the new 13 Fishing Wobble Craw on the swing head, and the football jig with the Turbo Crawz. Will be employing some of them ASAP, cheers.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for watching Hooksets Are Free! We agree! Some pretty awesome action imparted across a variety of rigging styles there. Hard to pick a favorite.

[@williamkrejca4641]

Thanks for the great demos. I honestly do not feel that any of the soft baits look like/act like a crawfish. Perhaps because I think the action being imparted simulates that of a wounded minnow, the way we have just been accustomed to retrieve most baits since forever, and nothing like the way a crawfish moves. None of the multiple real crawfish are in a vertical position, the baits look, imho, just plain silly, the floating aspect being vastly over valued, however when fished in rocks, this could be an asset, not on the bottom as shown. Just my opinion, I still appreciate taking the time to make/show the video.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@richardallen8465]

A very informative video , best video I have seen in awhile, great job

[@daviddura1172]

here it is March 15th, last week I was at the Houston Fishing Show and saw a "shrimp "(craw with out the claw) bait [ LOT OF SALT WATER DISPLAYS ] that had a tail the flexed under and back forward....the bait was fished backward and looked REAL popped across the bottom or fished as swimming.....the tail was slit crossways alternated top and bottom of the tail at each segment of the tail and had a springy rod in the tail for flex and spring.......IT LOOKED ALIVE AND REAL......

[@firemandan5959]

Great video I will be sharing this with several of my friends.

[@Wired2Fish]

Awesome, glad to hear it FiremanDan!

[@djones4113]

Thank you @wired2fish! Awesome!

[@lagobluefish1289]

Fishing show my friend, long live the channel, a big hug and TMJ !!! 🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@HanSoloxcs]

That camera guy got pinched by a bunch of crawdads that day xD

[@Wired2Fish]

🦞😖! Our staff have a tendency to mess with wild critters when they should keep their fingers to themselves.

[@jesusreinoso7306]

The old school jig and trailer doesn’t disappoint!

[@Wired2Fish]

We thought the same, the skirted football jig and trailer is awesome looking.

[@americanstriper8666]

Some of them looks so vertical with the claws all the way up that it looks like the crayfish is surrendering

[@chasingthefish9042]

Claws up dont shoot....

[@justjerkinit5249]

Maybe do a jerkbait video. You could match them with different tackle: baitcaster, spinning, line diameter, styles of line(mono, fluorocarbon, braid).

[@lt.pickles6383]

Great and informative video. I personally have a bunch of craw style baits, but i have only done well with the zmsn u

[@jimmin9802]

Z,an looked the best n got a good reaction from other crays.

[@sobifishing]

Sick video, really cool perspective

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks, Sobi- It has been a helpful comparison on how to modify baits and what actions to impart to mimic crayfish. Something to keep in mind when fishing a few of these rigs. Thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@BigpapamoneymanMVPtypebeat]

Savage gear with the football head weight looked best i think

[@dangerfield85]

This footage convinced me that the long nail weight would be better presentation than a half moon for a craw style plastic.

[@Wired2Fish]

We would agree!

[@BMBfishing]

I did learn a new technique from this video… the Tokyo jig is something new I’ll be fishing.. I’m stubborn to the crawl fish.. Out of 100 cast I would say 60 are a crawldad . In some shape or form..

[@west777s]

Thanks! This is a really good vid, footage was great! Hard to beat the football and wobble heads!!

[@Wired2Fish]

west777s, I know I will be mixing up my cadence now after watching what the crayfish do. I think all the presentations have their strengths but you're right, something scooting on the bottom IS hard to beat. Appreciate the comment!

[@mikeminney4113]

Excellent video! Very helpful.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for watching! We learned a few things too.

[@jerrodknapke7324]

EXCELLENT VID!! Id Like to see Googan Bandito, Krackin craw, and Trench Hogs!

[@kenadams711]

Great look and comparison. I would like to see you pause the baits as well. The actual crawdads did not seem to move as much or as fast. It may not make a difference, but if imitation of look is the object, wouldn't acting the part help with catching?

[@Wired2Fish]

I think you are right LeadMunitions. That said we were trying to compare traditional retrieves next to real crayfish. Now that you have seen it, a guy might switch up his cadence a little more. Which is what we were hoping to find out! Thanks for the comment-

[@tunit8946]

Great video. One of the best I've seen.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks much Todd Thorne- Helps to paint the picture!

[@richdowdy4626]

The original weighted hook for the Stanley Ribbet is an excellent craw hook.

[@Wired2Fish]

Interesting, are they still available?

[@brettg2309]

Amazing video! One of the best I’ve seen

[@Wired2Fish]

Much appreciated brettg2309. 🙌🏼

[@moisesbarrera2188]

River2Sea, “clackin’ crayfish”.

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

@Keys - this is an oldie but a goodie that slipped by me- funny watching the live ones scootch out the way of the line or posture up.. If you guys ever are looking to expand your network of contributors ; my jon boats almost as decked out as your kayak; & I can catch some fish..Sealocks' seen my PB smallmouth. I'm unsponsored with no brand allegiance. I just catch all types of species. You guys are THE fishing show,chan,website..however you wanna phrase it.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for watching man! We're just about to post a very similar style video-👀

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

@@Wired2Fish y'all got the BEST underwater footage ever ever. Tell Kyle and Jason and Chris and all the other contributors pre pre spawn is right around the corner. #FishingLife #BestFishingBrand #KeysaKaKayakMan

[@johngullotta3987]

Amazing footage!!! Excellent work 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Wired2Fish]

Thank you, John Gullotta!

[@goldsher]

How about delving into the “creature-style” or “beaver” soft plastics? Some of my favorites are the Berkeley Powerbait Pit Boss, Missile Baits Baby D-Bomb, and Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver. Also, the Tokyo Rig in my opinion looks great but how about the Jika Rig (eg Owners Jig Rig or Decoy Zero Dan)...getting the bait closer to bottom.

[@treyferguson9393]

That savage gear bait looks good!!!!

[@Wired2Fish]

So real!

[@84FrankDaTank]

Man the one bait I thought you definitely would be using in this video was a zoom critter crawl ):

[@sonofafisherman743]

I needed this video thanks 👍🏻

[@Wired2Fish]

Helps with the imagination! Thanks for watching-

[@reportedstolen3603]

I’m gonna start doing my crawfish dance 2:10 lmao

[@always_of]

great video i would like to see some creature baits for instance a sweet beaver

[@michaelshoffner6584]

the Zman crawfish are really to small for me but i like the idea

[@Wired2Fish]

Finesse to the max! Maybe they’ll come out with a bigger size but when fish are on those fresh new baby craws it’s deadly.

[@fukluk88]

Everything! I want to see every lure on the shelf rigged every kind of way ie different line sizes and types, different weights, leaders/no leaders, deep and shallow. EVERYTHING!!!

[@TheMoonEcat]

Very informative. Will have to try some of them.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks, TheMoonEcat. We'll be considering a few of these presentations a little more often after seeing the footage!

[@j.wildoutdoors8483]

you missed marabou, I would have really liked to see that.

[@weshare03121984]

very good video my country no have crayfish.

[@AndrewFishman]

great that you mentioned the defensive claw up pose and that fish do not always commit to that. I did a video myself a few months ago about that topic.

[@Wired2Fish]

Hey Andrew, great minds think alike 😉

[@rickb6694]

Fisherman: lol muh baitssss Crayfish : DAMN KIDS, GET OFF MY LAWN!!

[@Mr.Higgs.]

Watching this video 2 years later again. I've realized crayfish in different regions all scoot close to the bottom. That probably why football head and swing head jigs get really big bites.

[@k9feces]

Chasebaits Mud Bug is the best I’ve used

[@setinmn]

I've been to this spot before! Just down from a dam at the beginning of a great smallie fishery

[@dantegmo]

Yo Zuri makes a great crayfish lure, but mine melted in the truck from the GA heat. None the less it was pretty good.

[@Redman_30]

Football head straight drag and pause best one

[@Wired2Fish]

Hard to beat!

[@dadaiwaman66]

OMG!!!!! Great video!!!!!

[@Wired2Fish]

Thank you, Charles Bradley. Pretty cool to see!

[@hashiramasenju4846]

AWESOME JOB GUYS!!!

[@Getitright488]

Amazing video. You just saved me a few bucks:)

[@Wired2Fish]

Happy to hear it Radomir. Happy holidays to you.

[@swburton316]

How about experimenting with tubes a little bit? One of (if not the) most popular baits to catch crawfish eaters and weren't there a few studies done on bass preferring a tube profile over about everything else?

[@Wired2Fish]

Chris W, Completely agree about the tube being a geat crawfish imitator. Might have to try this again with tubes and a few other baits that have been suggested. As mentioned you could do this all day with the number of crawfish profiles out there. That said we'd love to compare them all. Great suggestion and thank you for the comment!

[@johnblythe6284]

I make Craw Dad baits by using Deer hair or Marabou ,and different kind Chenilles. John Blythe Southern Illinois. You have great videos thanks.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks so much for tuning in and dropping a comment! Hair is great for that subtle craw action!

[@coolbreeze4u2nv]

🤘🏼 Excellent video man!!!! Definitely going to help a lot of people. How u retrieving it?

[@Wired2Fish]

Thank you Gilberto Lopez- We were hoping to provide a good perspective. I will be using a variety of these presentations. The neko rig stuff looks awesome but swing heads and Ned rigs will always have their place!

[@skippyboy88]

He is in a shallow pool and can manipulate the bait by sight to make it preform. What would it look like 30-50 feet

[@petridigga573]

Your Stuff is very very nice. . I don't get that in Germany

[@txlines1209]

I got that bag for my birthday 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@Wired2Fish]

Love the look. Fit everything needed for the vid and then some in that bag too. Thanks for watching-

[@creighart]

does it matter what way you put the tungsten on the tokyo rig. i put mine with the bullet facing down but see its rigged upright here/.

[@Wired2Fish]

It doesn’t matter but pointing down might be a little more arrow dynamic. Pointing up might be slightly better for staying out of rocks.

[@creighart]

that makes sense thanks

[@MichiganOutdoors4Life]

Theirs so many crayfish

[@TeamJesusOutdoors]

Great footage!

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks Team Jesus Outdoors!

[@Assassin___Gaming]

Do the tackle hd craw. Just bought some. Have been killin the small mouth on them

[@Wired2Fish]

Noted, thanks for the recommendation Kenneth.

[@giovannim5101]

Very good info, thank you.

[@Wired2Fish]

Amazing to see the crayfish in action, really helps to gain perspective. Thank you for tunning in Giovanni m!

[@scottholweger5773]

The new Livetarget hollow belly craw

[@262Fishing]

We don't want to see which is best, just want to compare to see what mimics the best. Sometimes you want to match the hatch, sometimes you want a different color. What??? I'll say this, though, the underwater footage was really cool.

[@Wired2Fish]

We explain our intent in the video description and through the delivery. Definitely don't make any assertions to which is best, rather showcase a pile of proven baits. Thanks for watching.

[@nickcavazos5718]

AMAZING!!

[@Grogers70426]

I use the Biospawn VileCraw and VileBug but I would like to see how they look compared to crawfish

[@Wired2Fish]

Good call Geoffrey Rogers. They make some cool baits.

[@steveking8548]

How can you have over 12,000 views and ONLY 361 thumbs up????

[@cheekychaps2411]

do river2sea claki'n crayfish

[@1treyton1]

Can you imagine how big a bass would get in that pool

[@jsalterxpress.2480]

You ran some traps after you cut the camera off, right? My wife cooked a crawfish fettuccine last week. Loved the lure comparison but it made me hungry.

[@Wired2Fish]

That pasta sounds delicious!

[@drdoutdoors1603]

I think the weightless was the most realistic especially the fall.

[@kennethdennis9335]

Awesome video!!

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks, Kenneth Dennis!!

[@BigpapamoneymanMVPtypebeat]

For a second I was thinking “wow the fish really aren’t biting for this guy” then realized there is a camera fallowing the lure scaring the fish 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@25centsapop]

That's crazy how many craw there are in there. That's a huge imbalance in the ecosystem Also hilarious to see those craw get bumped into by the bait and freak out hahaha

[@Wired2Fish]

They are Rusty Crayfish which are invasive up here. They get to be a little overabundant. Displacing native crayfish numbers and species.

[@chasingthefish9042]

Ever wonder why crawdad dont have eyes on the back side? Image running away from something completely backwards not really knowing if there a bigger predator behind you.

[@Wired2Fish]

I like that perspective.

[@bassnwbuddy2617]

Savage gear craw with a wobble head

[@markwarren3535]

I got as much from watching the live ones get out of the way. They don't continuously move. About 1 foot then dull stop of slight twitch. Gonna change my retrieve now.

[@Wired2Fish]

Exactly!

[@eddieharper1486]

The savage gear craw to me LOOKED the most realistic bit didnt have much action.