Which Are Better? Craw or Beaver Style Baits For Texas Rigs?

There’s a big debate going on regarding whether craw style baits are more productive than beaver style baits when using Texas rigs. I’ve got plenty of thoughts on this subject! Which do you prefer?
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I was born and raised in Chicago, but after working 12 years in the financial Industry regulating the futures and options markets at the CME/CBOT I decided to pursue my passion fishing professional tournaments and left my full time corporate job. At that point, I moved to Junction City, WI with my wife Sara and two boys Hank and Duke. I've been fishing professionally since 2011 and full-time since 2015. I've qualified for seven MLF Championships and won over a half million in tournament winnings at the professional level.

[@FullTimeFishing]

Beaver in the dead of winter or dog days of summer. Craw in the spring and fall for me. Great video!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@arthurdirindinjr1792]

Matt you have never failed to utterly amaze me with your content This was the first and only video Ive ever seen that even established there is a difference between beaver and crawfish soft plastic baits let alone different applications for both. Ive spent a lot of $$$ at TW using your links and buying tackle based on solely your recommendations Thank you for making both myself and my son's better more knowledgeable and ultimately more successful fisherman

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for your support!

[@ChrisMiller-bu8yo]

Great info no one else has even come close to explaining that well thank you again! Keep them coming!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks, will do!

[@clintperry799]

Good information, I should take notes , between you and Randy the information is endless. Thanks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

glad you liked it!

[@chrismichaelson5668]

Thank you for this video, agree with you that it is easy just to grab what is comfortable but that could just be from lack of knowledge of when to use one over the other. This video has definitely will definitely help me to open up more and use different baits more even if inexperienced with them

[@MattStefanFishing]

glad to help!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Matt, That was one of the best explanations on the differences between Beaver & Craw Style Baits!!🤛👍 Sure made a lot of sense and will remember this for the up coming season!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@williamgould2470]

I can't believe you're not triple the subscribers you have. Subscribers need to pass the word.

[@MattStefanFishing]

it would be nice! But i dont have the glitz and glammer to draw big subscribers...just sharing fishing info

[@mikecollett8513]

Well put together video, and well presented. T rig probably my favorite and my confidence technique. Thanks for sharing.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i love a texas rig as well!

[@holdengamble]

Your channel has become one of my top 3 for sure. you, randy and mikeyballz are the best for sure. I fish every day but I’m definitely not a pro. We appreciate the in-site man.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I appreciate that!

[@jasonemeric9902]

Throw debo in there and I'm on the same page bro

[@williamgould2470]

Another excellent Mini seminar on flipping and when to use each Style bait. Aside from flipping I pretty much always use a crawl style bait as a trailer on my swim Jigs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff

[@donpanico7708]

Hey Matt good info as always. The forage where I fish has blue gill mostly so I use the beaver style and I turn it on its side when I thread it on the hook and I dip the tail in chartreuse.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds great!

[@peterhing3608]

Great video and thank you as that was a perfect explanation on when to throw either bait. I love craws but did not have a lot of chances to throw either bait last year as we focused on reaction bites with top water and hard baits. Got a new medium heavy rod for my son so we both can pitch, drag, pitch lighter craw and beaver baits this season. Really looking forward to dialing in my finesse jigs, footballs, flipping, and Texas rigged baits once the quick reaction bites slow down. Thanks again Matt and keep the great videos coming!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for the support!

[@jasonrutherfordbassfishing]

Awesome info, great vid! I’ve always relegated the beaver style to flipping only… craws on a jigs and only Texas rig ribbon tails and brush hawgs, definitely need to experiment more!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Great information once again Matt👍 and I totally agree with what you said. This is one of my favorite techniques as well and I’m extremely confident while doing it. I’d like to add that if you feel the bass are suspended under docks and many times they are. If you make that accurate/perfect cast you want your bait to fall slow but APPEAR to be moving really fast. This helps the so called “reaction strikes”. The baits that can do this are worth every penny. For me that is hands downs the Keitech crazy flapper followed in second place by the Reaction Innovation kinky beaver.🤠 I have no idea what they mimic🤷‍♂️but they certainly work on suspended dock fish.🤠

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great info thanks for sharing your experiences with us!

[@johnroskosky7816]

Matt, thanks for explaining the difference between these two baits and where you use them. I think I have used the craw where I should have been using a beaver style bait. I did not consider the different fall rates. Keep them coming!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help!

[@edwardwicht5271]

Awesome video. Great advice. VERY thorough. Really appreciate it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeffreyreilly7155]

I put a hot fire pit boss on a all black chatter bait I made and I think it looks crazy good. The blade, jig head, and skirt all black!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@JLaird-ji1qr]

Great content……. My best bag of the year came on a unpegged maxx scent creature hawg ….. I use both quite often though……

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff!

[@mattwest6669]

Matt thank you for explaining this. I often wonder the difference.

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@BobbyBalsaRNM]

Good video! Been using Maxscent chiggers and beavers 99% of the time the past 2yrs. Really believe they're worth the extra couple dollars.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yes they are!

[@farrzmd3038]

Interesting video, great information. I always thought they both fell vertical. One has movement and they other doesn’t.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@LowBrowFishing]

That was extremely in depth. I don't know if there was anything else you could have said about it. I mainly use beaver style baits for punching or thick cover where a 1 oz weight will kill any gliding motion. I don't really throw them on a "regular" Texas rig. I might have to change that based on what you said.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yeah they heavier the weight the less difference between the two

[@davidhidalgo5662]

Another great video. Keep up the great work and Thank you

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks, will do!

[@wvufan0524]

Great video. Where would you classify the bug style (rage bug or bandito bug) in these scenarios? Strictly depend on the appendages and vibration they cause?

[@MattStefanFishing]

its all about appendages IMO

[@rodlinvon-hugenstine5142]

Past 2 years now… I’ve been hooked on the imo ripper. If I need displacement I’m chuck’n the kemushi. They have absolutely been kill’n it for me! Now GC has the bugpee… I have no doubt that the Bugpee is gonna be a game changer.

[@MattStefanFishing]

the bugpee looks good!

[@rodlinvon-hugenstine5142]

@@MattStefanFishing it’s gonna get smoked… see how long it actually takes to catch on. I’ll put something in the comments after the first day I run em

[@learningtofish7036]

Thank you Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

My pleasure!

[@seizedcarcass8440]

Beavers are for heavier cover or cooler water. Craw is for semi heavy cover but better in warmer water.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@EvanMorsell]

This is such quality information. My only question pertains to whether or not these rules apply to using these soft plastics as jig trailers as well?

[@MattStefanFishing]

100% It does!

[@EvanMorsell]

@@MattStefanFishing wow, I've never felt more confident going into the prespawn in my life! Thank you sir!

[@camhester4251]

great info , i use both

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome, thank you!

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

They both have their time and place. I prefer a craw in the warmer water or when fish are real aggressive. I prefer a beaver when the water is cooling down or the fish are a little turned off and not wanting to eat anything

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@billtiritilli5271]

Good morning. Question for you upgrading my trolling motor to a lowrance ghost what would be the reason for the different shaft lengths I have a Nitro 17ft boat my choices are 47in 52in 60 in. Possible video idea.

[@MattStefanFishing]

mostly based on the type of water you fish...if its big water longer shaft to stay in control in big waves. If its small weedy lakes with low sitting boats a shorter shaft is better. 52 is a good mid range shaft

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺 Beaver and or craw🤔. That’s a no brainer for me.🤠

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@Fatenarr]

So which is it?

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

@@Fatenarr 🤔🤷‍♂️😂.

[@ThumperSpinnerbaits]

How about soft platic lizards? I generally flip these in the spring.

[@MattStefanFishing]

they can be great!

[@mikeeller557]

Thanks Matt, You and your electric blue.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@samuelschult985]

Good information 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@jimtandlmayer9146]

Where does the Pit Boss fit , in-between them ? I use the small Pit Boss. On Fire Ball jigs I make on football heads .

[@MattStefanFishing]

i consider the pit boss more of a craw style bait, but its a hybrid for sure

[@terrytresemer2864]

My advice to everyone is to throw a bag of each on deck as I do. As I move around the lake I'll be in one bag or the other, it's a time saver for me! Just like pre-rig'n 5 or 6 rods, time saving.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good idea!

[@johnlantz7278]

As a team angler fishing from the back I watch an have found that if he is through thing a beaver I’ll choice the large craw with big flapper claws an I’ll just toss over cover an yo yo as he try’s for aggressive fish it’s the old double whammy team partners your son is heading toward being a great angler with a good attitude to his game.

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@kj197734]

I like the craw better myself. Though I grew up on Gene Larew Salt Craws, that stuck with me.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i like the skirted slat craws myself!

[@russellkamp8923]

Do you rig the beaver style horizontaly or verticaly to memic a bluegill?

[@MattStefanFishing]

i rig it horizontally

[@emilianobanzi9432]

beaver style bait in tigh cover, in the coldest months when creatures have less activity or lethargic and in super clear water in general. Craw in more open covers, in stained or muddy water and in general when bass and creatures are more active

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@hookreelfishing]

Great video ++

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thank you 👍

[@poorichard2]

What hooks do you use with either bait?

[@MattStefanFishing]

i like these Berkley Fusion 19 EWG size 4/0 www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Fusion19_Hooks_EWG/descpage-SFEH.html?from=MSFG

[@chadjohnson6407]

What about a z craw? Is that kinda a hybrid?

[@MattStefanFishing]

kinda hybrid but id catagorize as a craw still

[@k1llerdir]

I tend to agree with you that both baits are needed.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@alcav54]

The Reaction Innovations Kinky Beaver gives the best of both worlds

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes it does

[@williamknight5142]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@rickhensley2251]

Craw in the spring and fall, and the beaver for summer and punching..

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@secretbassrigs]

In clear water I prefer beaver tail.

[@MattStefanFishing]

me too!

[@brandonelliott5345]

I would have said chigger craw at one point, but now it’s the beaver for me!

[@MattStefanFishing]

both are good!

[@wolverinex4243]

Due to my inability to choose between one or another, I have made a spinnerbait/chatter combo. Nah, I was rather bored. I am not entertained. I did use a Khara blade and an original Z-Man blade with a premium jihead and dipping trailer. Who does these things? Let me tell you how it went; not great. The damn blade hung up on itself like all chatters do....the swimming action got worse. It's a cross between that ring spinnerbait and the Okishira jighead where there is a random break in the blade spin or swim. IDK, that can be a good thing or a bad thing. Guess no more imparting action. I do know my spinnerbaits slaughter fish as are. As have?

[@MattStefanFishing]

most concoctions do not work, but when you find a good pairing it can be fantastic!

[@jetfuelg4083]

In conclusion… everyone needs a little beaver from time to time 😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

hayooo!

[@cerebraltackle]

Shooooot...give me a Zoom Speed worm with a glass rattle.

[@MattStefanFishing]

that works too!

[@jerrylanglois7892]

Which one is better ? The one you get the closest to the fish's nose.

[@MattStefanFishing]

they both can be great!

[@jerrylanglois7892]

@@MattStefanFishing That's about it, no real difference. Come on, dude, how bout making a video with some real value, some real info ?

[@wolverinex4243]

Think like a fish, do I want to eat a crawfish or a beaver? Lol. I would eat creatures off the floor and baitfish, maybe on a pizza.

[@MattStefanFishing]

you should make a pizza bait!

[@Fatenarr]

Why is it called a beaver bait 🦫 when it doesn’t look like a beaver and in my opinion doesn’t look much like a bait fish either…

[@topwaterwes2339]

I assume because the head of the bait (not the flappers) resembles a beaver tail.

[@MattStefanFishing]

considering the company that created the beaver has naked girls on the bag you might be thinking of the wrong "beaver." haha