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Craw colors this time of year? #13340239 11/12/19 09:03 PM
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rkd Offline OP
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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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Donald Harper Offline
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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

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Re: Craw colors this time of year? [Re: rkd] #13340456 11/13/19 12:10 AM
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Donald Harper Offline
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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.


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Websiite Sponsors:
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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


Re: Craw colors this time of year? [Re: rkd] #13340544 11/13/19 02:07 AM
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Topwater2 Offline
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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
Re: Craw colors this time of year? [Re: rkd] #13340551 11/13/19 02:17 AM
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mudd Offline
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Shad year around gets bitten


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Re: Craw colors this time of year? [Re: rkd] #13340622 11/13/19 03:57 AM
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Great info Don thanks.


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Re: Craw colors this time of year? [Re: rkd] #13341497 11/14/19 01:54 AM
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Here's the expert..

Re: Craw colors this time of year? [Re: rkd] #13341500 11/14/19 01:55 AM
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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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ibfishin2 Offline
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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!

Re: Craw colors this time of year? [Re: rkd] #13341717 11/14/19 12:33 PM
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Chris B Offline
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The ones I have seen on Texoma have a lot of blue and white on them.


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Re: Craw colors this time of year? [Re: rkd] #13341736 11/14/19 12:55 PM
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fivebites Offline
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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.


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Re: Craw colors this time of year? [Re: rkd] #13342403 11/14/19 09:28 PM
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Larry Mosby Offline
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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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