Is This Lure a Cheat Code?? Breaking Down The Hottest Craw Lure to Hit The Market!!

[@wilmerpruitt6324]

Thanks Ben. I appreciate it when you do a breakdown on a "single bait" like this, and the one you did on the Kanata-great one. Very eye opening information there. I'm an old guy, but always learning. Thanks again.

[@Mr.BassJaw-Jackin75]

The Sleeper Craw has became my favorite soft plastic crawfish lure. It was the reason it got me 2nd place in a local smallmouth tournament this past weekend. Workin the sleeper craw on a dark sleeper rod paired with a Shimano Chronarch MGL using 15lb Abraz X help me land 19 smallie which shot me up to 2nd on the leader board. Great content Ben, love the tips especially on the color selection! Keep the vids coming guys, it’s always awesome info! #tightlines

[@skidemn]

It’s not one of the best crawfish imitations, it is the BEST of them all. I first started fishing it about a month after it was released, and I was skeptical but hyped by the marketing videos I saw. It took about 15 minutes to learn what it does and how to best work it, and then BOOM, the bites started coming. I spent my first 3 days fishing it in Parker AZ, and caught several dozen smallmouth and some largemouth as well. I’m not sure color even matters, as I bought 6 different colors and caught fish on five different ones so far. The technique that works best for me is to drag it like a football jig, then at the end of my drag give it a little pop to jump it off the bottom and let it glide a short distance. Reel up slack, then repeat. The bites are not subtle, they smash this thing with a vengeance!

[@dwightshelford3061]

I need to spend a little more time fishing it. My first time out I felt like it didn’t live up to the marketing hype in a couple ways. The first bass I caught on it ripped one of the claws off. Sure, it will still catch fish with one claw but that didn’t match the durability it was touted to have. The second one is the snag resistance was terrible on the one that I used. If you ran your finger towards the hook point it took almost no pressure to expose the hook. It got snagged on some wood a few casts after catching that one and only fish. Not sure if I just got a bad one but for $10 I’m not sure I will buy too many more unless the other couple that I have a better than that first one.

[@skidemn]

@@dwightshelford3061 they aren’t snag-proof, but will come through light cover just fine if you pull gently, rather than pop it. When it hits wood, it wants to roll over, like a chatterbait, so just like a chatterbait, I avoid throwing into wood. It works best around rocky or gravelly areas, and is much less prone to hang up, unless you’re fishing rip rap, like a dam, in which case it case can fall into holes.

[@Bnicebassfish]

This is hands down my favorite lure. I listened to Ben and bought the dark sleeper specifically for this bait and it is sooo dope. The sleeper craw is literally tik tok to a teenager for smallmouth.

[@mikehauck5832]

Awesome tackleotaku, in deeper waters the Perfect Pitch has helped me with the Sleeper craws.On sandy bottoms with gravel. A great man once said." You can do a ton of 💩 with the Perfect Pitch" 🎣🙏😎

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

Yes!

[@esoxchris]

Absolutely fantastic baits they fish lovely with Super Destroyer. Anyone else hold their breath everytime Ben bends a rod 🫣 Another great detailed vid well done y’all

[@rogercastle2434]

Ben, I fish them on an X-bites and have had great success! I may look at a Dark sleeper down the road! I drag mine a little too.

[@Smiththebat]

My lake in Ontario has a lot of black blue yabbies! So when you showed the ghost craw I said, “bingo!”

[@TKsw191145]

I like the Daiwa Steez AGS Sensor for this and all compact jigs. Paired up with a color matching previous gen Steez SV TW. Thanks Griff for the advice

[@victortrejo1133]

great editing i love the clips and slides really helps!!!

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@jamesadkins864]

After watching your video on spinnerbaits I purchased the dark sleeper. I can't wait to try this sleeper crawfish out on it!

[@robertdaly6512]

I use the Dark Sleeper rod for fishing the Sleeper Craw. I bend the hook up a smidge for better hook up ratios.

[@Daiwa_Is_King]

Never bend your hooks this is telling me your not using the correct rod.

[@smallmouthmaster]

nice breakdown Ben!

[@coverter]

Great video! I wish I saw this before I had my first Sleeper in my bag as I didn't know it was elastomer and it melted before I could even use it! lol Happy Tuesday guys and thanks again for everything! Cheers and welcome to the camera crew Kalin! 🍻🍺

[@adrianalvarado7407]

Good to know thanks I got a bunch but still haven't used them

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

Thank you for watching!!

[@karlhenricsson4517]

Nice video! Can you throw the sleeper craw on the windbuster? Or is it not strong enough?

[@caseysaunders2137]

No smallies in my local Texas lake, but large mouth definitely hit it. Using a tach shaft and 16 lb FC sniper. Will consider to maybe use a softer rod but my thought was to better ensure that hook buries into the roof of the mouth on hookset, and that's been the case. Another less costly (per bait) rig is the Reins 2.5" craw. I'm throwing that on BFS gear with 8 pound flouro, 1/0 Owner heavy wire offset hook, and pegged 1/16 oz strike king tungsten weight. Only downside there is the Reins craw is super fragile.

[@albertojvel]

I don’t have the dark sleeper rod yet, but I do have a BMG, and because it’s parabolic I’ve been smokin em on Sleeper Craws and Sleeper Gills!

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

BMG is a great option as well!

[@DavidBronstein1961]

Gonna fish the Delaware River in PA next week. Very clean, clear moving water. What color(s)? No idea what cover craws really are there)

[@creek_stalker]

This is an incredible lure, I once had a nice 5 lber follow a glide right to the bank but wouldn't eat it, the fish wouldn't swim away so i proceeded to tie on 5 different lures and he wouldnt eat but showed some interest, Finally i tied on the sleeper and pitched it about 5 feet away, the fish immediately charged it and snapped it up with zero hesitation😂😂 this lure fool veteran bass every time, also really good for bed fishing

[@Bassmaster_Ice318]

Should I use a 7'2" or 7'3" MH rod? And which colors are best for clear water?

[@Veritas84Aequitas]

The GLF Juvy Craw is the deal. I was catching at least 10 smallmouth to every 1 of my buds using SC

[@MultiXMeGa]

It's a lure where I KNOW I'm going to get a bite no matter what. Absolutely love em, wish they made a "heavier" one.

[@RyanMiller-wy3pi]

Been slaying em from the bank with Sleeper Craws on my P5 Tachyon Shaft.

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

Nice!!

[@caseysaunders2137]

Same here, but on a lake in shallow water. Tach shaft with 16 lb FC sniper and 6.3:1 Tatula Elite. Zero issues with hook ups. I love this bait. Wish it was a little cheaper or they sold replacement bodies. I'm gonna remove the body from the last one that ended up with the pinchers torn off and see if that jig hook might work well with another plastic.

[@RyanMiller-wy3pi]

@@caseysaunders2137 They seriously get bit! Mine usually end becoming line-thrus or lose one or both claws. I've still caught bass with one claw and NO claws on it!

[@caseysaunders2137]

@@RyanMiller-wy3pi Even no claws you still get bit. haha. Maybe I'll toss my torn up sleeper craw a few times before I peel off the plastic and replace with a new one. I'm guessing that hook will be good for another plastic or elastec worm.

[@RyanMiller-wy3pi]

@@caseysaunders2137 You can use that hook on other smaller tube-like craws. The hook is fully exposed though.

[@lexm0]

I throw my sleeper craws on a NRX+ 873 CRR with a 16 Metanium, 40lb braid to a 15lb flouro leader and I will rarely ever lose fish. Ive thrown them on my Madbull also

[@alanstein9722]

Can you fish this bait with the Windbuster?

[@jordannarlock7995]

I throw these a ton and maybe I am using the wrong rod. But in the Levante lineup, since they are softer by nature. Any Levante specific rods you suggest if the dark sleeper rod isn't happening?

[@blakesmith1921]

I’ve been fishing the sleeper craw since it came out and it’s legit. Caught my first Muskie on it as well😂

[@peteaguilar9227]

Great video Ben ! I fish with a med heavy mod fast , most of the time they bite in the falling, or when I do a big pull, they react to that, it’s so realistic that I caught my pb catfish, even tough I was not expecting that bite 😂 , also guys, don’t get scared to use it if you lose one clamp or both, they will bite, a helpless craw will be a easier meal for them.

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

Yes!

[@bigmikefishingchonicles9950]

great video i love that bait but i have a question about The Karashi do you guys sell a replacement back treble hook with the freather on it

[@Daiwa_Is_King]

Just use the owner ST 26 trebles in a size 10. That’s what I switched mine out too and man it’s a game changer

[@monstblitz]

My experience with this bait has definitely been mixed. I’ve caught a lot of first cast fish using it, but almost every time I’ll never get a nibble after that first fish. It’s almost like it immediately attracts every bass in the nearby vicinity and they all see what happens to the first poor bass that bites it! 😅

[@JoseMartinez-dq4km]

I throw mine on the mad bull 14 sniper or imx 855 on 14 sniper also

[@shawnmassie6983]

Love the sleeper craw. I bank fish a river in Ohio. If you are getting hung up too much, bend the hook down a little, and then to one side a little. Gets that hook point down in the bait a tad, little more weedless for those random branches or heavy cover areas. I throw it on a Megabass Triza stympaladies, totally butchered that spelling. 15lb Tatsu

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

Why is the sleeper gill not made of the same plastic as the craw!? I have had to repurpose the hook on 2 already!

[@tucsonarizonarealestate]

Which Loomis rod whoud your recomend?

[@juli82E]

What's a good Victory rod to throw the sleeper on? I bought a couple of these and forgot about them!😬

[@youtubzkoz]

Like a frog, let them turn and give them a second to eat then smash the hook set on the regular jig gear. They are awesome for sight fishing beds and such. Destroyed it almost instantly on quite a few beds. Scent in the claws. Keep them in the clam shell packaging.

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

Scent in the claws is a good idea 👍

[@gavinbutler4054]

Whay scent are you using? Baitfuel?

[@smithism]

Is there a rod in the St Croix lineup that would be a decent substitute for the Dark Sleeper rod? I have several different Croixs and a P5 isn't in the budget right now

[@samsuathao]

it's a killer lure on mille lacs that no one is throwing here... i spent all this spring and last fall throwing it, and caught lots of fish less than 4lbs, 80+ 4lbers and a few 5lb smallies, not to mention my buddies who also each caught the same amount. If you have big smallies, bump up your rod. I run the FMJ with a 22 Zillion HD with 17lb tatsu. We have to crack them hard and crank them in fast or else we lose them every time. We went too light last fall with lighter jig rods, lighter line, and playing the fish. Our hook up to landing ratio was 50/50. Once we bumped up the power and gear, the landing ratio went up to around 90%. Slow drag, pop off rocks, or slight movements like you said in the video is key to getting bites. it's so effective that i stop throwing or barely throw neds and football jigs for smallies here... P.S. it's also super effective for smallies in the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area)

[@Nabbington-fn8ng]

Ever catch a walleye with one? Sometimes they love the red crawdad blade baits in bwca

[@samsuathao]

@@Nabbington-fn8ng oh all the time on Mille lacs. Every walleye I’ve caught on a sleeper craw, they have it deep in their mouth that I don’t see it until I look in their mouth. And I always get one every trip on the sleeper craw

[@cloutmaster965]

Can you please ask Megabass for a elastomer dark sleeper. The dark sleepers durablity is atrocious. I haven’t tried to gobius but I am tempted since my 5 dark sleepers all are broken or have a face filled with superglue.

[@Daiwa_Is_King]

If you’re having durability issues with the sleeper craw I suggest you try the Nikko baits craw. I have caught 62 smallmouths and counting with the same nikko craw going back about almost three months ago. It’s remarkable how durable that bait is. Give it a shot ya there expensive but you get what you pay for in this case.

[@uniq7778]

This my if first year of bass fishing and the sleeper craw caught all my big bass even my PB…..just set the hook good and you’ll be fine

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

👍👍🍻

[@03clarkkent03]

The P5 is not in the budget for me. Can you recommend something in the Levante or Zodias line?

[@MRQturbo]

Levante perfect pitch

[@bryceslavik6730]

I don’t have the dark sleeper Rod, but I have the super destroyer, Rod. I’ll try that one and see how it works and use 16 pound super sniper line.🤷

[@WarEagleTheBest]

Is it smallmouth predominantly bait? I don’t see people use it in Florida.

[@umairfaizuddin3429]

What do you think about using the x-bites for this? Since you said not to use a heavy rod my other option would be a 7’2 MH Expride B or dobyns champ xp 734C (more of a MH than H imo). Thanks!

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

X bites is a good option also 👍

[@yerneight]

What Steez rod is equivalent to the Dark Sleeper rod?

[@vansaukam799]

When Legendary brands become the dominant daily used word/terminology to define the totality of that type product's market... It's becomes a Lexicon... I.E., "Coke, Kleenex, band-aid" etc.

[@hyang9195]

Can you guys get Megabass to do a white color sleeper craw. I saw it in the JDM market.

[@markschiano3447]

How would the Braillist work for this?

[@darthjar9117]

I use Zman pro craws and they look a hell of a lot more realistic than this one and I can catch numerous fish on one bait.

[@pineomt]

Been throwing this on the GLX 892c and it works well. Not under powered.

[@mikecamalier2653]

Great information thank you. Bassmd

[@rhodesianhunter9360]

For whatever reason the smallies where I’m at target a very specific color. It’s not even the color of the real craws where I’m at. They’ll bite other colors, but they smoke this color every year, year after year. It’s basically a chocolate color with a tiny bit of red mixed in and purple flake.

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

Give em what they want!!

[@rhodesianhunter9360]

@@thehookuptackle_usa Yep, maybe a custom shop color in the sleeper craw….😉

[@IsraelGarcia-qr9vq]

Why do you hold your line do you feel the bite more?

[@timeintheoutdoors]

Great video. Please please turn off the back ground music. With head phones on this is very distracting. I’m not trying to be a jerk. I just wanted to provide this feed back in case you didn’t watch your video with headphones on. Keep up the good work. I love your info that you provide.

[@Chaison18]

When you drag this thing on the bottom it’s like crack for the bass.

[@xDx0xUxGx]

I tried fishing them in my local river. They were getting torn apart by the rocks within the first few casts. I gave up after destroying 6 of them...

[@hellyeahfishing]

Definitely a cheat code

[@polychris5961]

Sounds like the bushadder would throw it nicely

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

Bushadder is great too - it's super powerful so you just have to slow down your hooksets.

[@logicalrationalfishing7481]

They have worked great for me, just DO NOT put them with other plastics. I do not know how or why I forgot this, but I ruined a good bit of plastics in my bank fishing bag.

[@casiokids91]

My buddy lost both of his claws after one dink on this thing lol might catch fish but not durable at all

[@oregonsmalljaw3732]

In my opinion, a texas rig beaver or craw will get just as many bites and will be more weedless.

[@Blenheim-king-li]

daemos or x bites triza f5 70 zillion/steez 73mh capable of handling this job.

[@lisaAIdol]

They break too easily so i sew the claws before use. Keeps them attached 10x longer.

[@tylerharrison5189]

How?

[@Westmichddangle]

❤

[@truthsleuth271]

3.5” Zman crawz on a Zman smh shaky head is 1/4 the cost and just as good. You’re welcome.

[@hookfynn82]

smallmouth crystal meth

[@davidthomas2921]

You need to bend the hook out a little.. The hook is too small..

[@thehookuptackle_usa]

You don't need to do this, you just need the right rod!

[@davidthomas2921]

@@thehookuptackle_usa BELIEVE ME I HAVE THE RIGHT RODS, SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE..ALL MEGABASS..P5 X BITES..WOULDN'T BUY A ROD, FOR A BAIT THAT HAS A 2 SIZE HOOK IN IT..JUST TELLING THE TRUTH..

[@hellyeahfishing]

Do not bend your hooks!!!!

[@davidthomas2921]

@hellyeahfishing WELL THE HOOK UP IS OVER 50% BY BENDING THE HOOK OUT A LITTLE..ACTUALLY THE HOOK IS TOO SMALL.