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Craw colors this time of year?
#13340239
11/12/19 09:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,326
rkd
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,326 |
I know it will vary by lake (or region) but for North Texas lakes in general, what color are crawfish this time of year? Will it really vary lake to lake? (i.e. Lewisville to Grapevine)
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13340439
11/12/19 11:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19,772
Donald Harper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19,772 |
It varies from Creek to Creek; not just lake to lake. You can set 3 traps in 3 different creeks and probably catch 3 different colors. I did this for many years throwing jigs matched to what was in the traps to help win tournaments. It is Nov. now so the males are out searching. Almost all the males in most lakes are Red/Black/Green. The Females are all different colors due to water conditions, cover and rock available in those creeks.
You are on the right track. Most are following the Shad patterns. When the bass get to the flats or spawning ground in the back 1/3 of the creeks and coves; they run into the Crayfish. Now is the time to switch gears to the Crayfish patterns.
Last edited by Donald Harper; 11/13/19 12:02 AM. Reason: Added a statement
Each person you work with holds some promise to your future success. Websiite Sponsors: www.eletewater.com - Staying Hydrated www.lakeoviachic.com - Booking Mexico Trips 20 Hot Spot Mapping - GPS Contour Chips - Custom Spinner Baits - Jigs -Spooks Pure Extracts - Minnow-Night Crawler-Crayfish-Craylic
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13340456
11/13/19 12:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19,772
Donald Harper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19,772 |
Set your traps. A Bass had rather fight a Female Cray than the larger Males. Although they will work hard to get them positioned just right before striking. Females are much smaller. Off shore cover on the flats is the key. Some of the baits: - Crayfish colored Cranks. - Crayfish Jigs. - Crayfish Chatter Baits - Crayfish Rattle Traps.
With the Jisgs and Chatter Baits I use a technique that I call the Crayfish Hop.
This is the technique with my Crayfish Chatter Baits. They are weed guarded for the short bottom drag working it to the defensive mode. This Technique is also used when I fish the Baby Doll Jigs. - Cast it out beside heavy cover. They may take it just like all other baits on the way to the bottom. - Fishing on slack line as it falls; be a line watcher and look for the line to jump. No pressure on the bait when it is at rest or falling. Very slowly drag it along the bottom until it touches a rock or stick. This is when a Crayfish goes to Defensive Mode and gets hammered. you will feel the tug as your line is now tight. - Make two soft up and down roller coaster lifts while turning the handle. This is the Fleeing Action. Rod at 9:00 and up to 12:00 and another 9:00 to 12:00. Now let it fall to the bottom as that is all the energy a Crayfish has is two burst. - Back to slack line while it is on the bottom. - Take up slack and very slowly drag the bait until it touches something. It is back to defensive mode. - Do this twice on an average cast beside heavy cover. - Then reel the Chatter Bait in as you would any Chatter Bait. You are looking to get bit either on the Crayfish HOP or the regular Chatter Bait slow roll back to the boat. You will soon develop a pattern that the Bass like.
Each person you work with holds some promise to your future success. Websiite Sponsors: www.eletewater.com - Staying Hydrated www.lakeoviachic.com - Booking Mexico Trips 20 Hot Spot Mapping - GPS Contour Chips - Custom Spinner Baits - Jigs -Spooks Pure Extracts - Minnow-Night Crawler-Crayfish-Craylic
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13340544
11/13/19 02:07 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,900
Topwater2
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,900 |
I've purchased a lot of plastic Crayfish lately and I'm getting anxious to throw them. Thank you Mr. Harper for the advice.
FishKen
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13340551
11/13/19 02:17 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,292
mudd
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,292 |
Shad year around gets bitten
93 Ranger 482vs 95 Bullet 20cc
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13340622
11/13/19 03:57 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,667
4Weight
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,667 |
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13341497
11/14/19 01:54 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,046
Fast Lane
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,046 |
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13341500
11/14/19 01:55 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,046
Fast Lane
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,046 |
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: Fast Lane]
#13341589
11/14/19 03:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 36
ibfishin2
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 36 |
Best imitation for a crawdad is a swinghead jig with a Strike King Magnum Rage Bug. For colors experiment with a black/blue color, falcon texas craw or green pumpkin. I prefer 3/4 oz or 1/2 oz. You want to get the bait down and banging rocks. Bring it in with a med/slow retrieve where it is dragging and bumping rocks. I keep the rod tip down, throw it on braid with a mono leader. Hang on...they will rip it!
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13341717
11/14/19 12:33 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,214
Chris B
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,214 |
The ones I have seen on Texoma have a lot of blue and white on them.
I hate photobucket.
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13341736
11/14/19 12:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,554
fivebites
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,554 |
The ones I saw yesterday were a very bright red. Along with some really yellow corn and some very brown hush puppies. That is all.
2019 Chevy Tahoe 2018 Basscat Eyra 250 Proxs PB Wife of 32 years! PB Largemouth 9.56 Ray Roberts
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Re: Craw colors this time of year?
[Re: rkd]
#13342403
11/14/19 09:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 601
Larry Mosby
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 601 |
I like throw craw colored crank baits during fall and winter months but color hasn't mattered for me lately. I have been throwing a lot of sexy shad and if they slow down I might throw a chilli craw or another color and pick up another one. For me it's more of finding the fish and making the right cast than color.
Larry Mosby
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