Custom Baits - Forum
Soft Plastic Bait Making => New Releases => Topic started by: Jason on 09/19/11 16:37 UTC
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I get request for a Paca Craw on a pretty regular basis. I've fished it quite a bit and personally think it is a fine bait. With that said, there is no comparison for on the water testing, but here is a tank video of both. The Mud Bug is first, then the Paca Craw. Conditions are identical: same rod, same line, same jig (1/4oz). The Mud Bug is poured in a medium soft blend and felt a little firmer than the Paca Craw.
As for on the water testing, hopefully you realize by now how the Mud Bug performs...
The video can be seen here (bottom of the page): http://www.caneycreekmolds.com/375-Mud-Bug_p_227.html (http://www.caneycreekmolds.com/375-Mud-Bug_p_227.html)
or here: http://youtu.be/UBfoVw-z3Ps (http://youtu.be/UBfoVw-z3Ps)
Tight lines!
Jason
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I think what everyone is looking for is the swimming action on a slow retrieve that the Paca Craw has. Those tails flap well at any kind of retrieve, fast or slow, lift and drop, hopping or just swimming. It may be hard to do in the fish tank but maybe you could show us how it swims on that kind of retrive. I know I don't fish a jig straight down with an up and down motion. I throw it out and lift the rod to get the jig swimming towards me just above the bottom until it hits bottom and lift again, for me thats where the claws need to move. Whats nice about the Paca is you can fish it fast or slow. Your baits look more natural than Pacas they just need the slow flapping action the the Paca has. This is just my take on what I think everyone wants, not trying to get any one upset. Love your baits, keep it up.
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I agree Joe.
Jim
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Hi Joe,
This is why I used a 1/4oz jig.
The resistance in the water is the same if you are moving it vertically or horizontally. I doubt if many fish it on a lighter jig, so you can see what they both do moving slowly (falling on slack line), and when moved faster (lifting). In order to lift it off the bottom you are going to have to move it faster than it moves when falling on slack line, otherwise it is just going to drag the bottom (unless lifting straight up).
The main point of the original video is to illustrate the Mud Bug is in what I would consider a consumable state much more than the Paca Craw (increasing the odds you will get bit). They both have a lot of claw action, however, at rest the Paca Craw fills with water and wants to fall over. If it does stay upright, in a normal defensible position, the claws flop over.
I wish I could honestly say I knew what a fish is thinking when it hits certain baits at certain times. My best guess is it thinks it's a craw when being worked along the bottom, hopped, swam in short spurts or dead sticked. I am inclined to think it is a reaction strike on a bait fish when swimming long distance, but I truly don't know...
Here is a video showing the Mud Bug swim.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhpLMoIaa_c&feature=player_profilepage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhpLMoIaa_c&feature=player_profilepage)
The important thing to remember with any bait is you have influence over the action based on how you pour the bait. I make mine with regular plastic, you can make it with soft and get even more action (this craw was made with a regular / soft blend).
Hopefully this helps.
Jason
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My 2 cents: When I want the bait to look like it is swimming (baitfish)...I use a curl tail bait (like the new Chub Grub or my new personal favorite the Baby Berry).
When I want it to look like a crawfish...I LOVE the action on my Mad Dad 3xl. It really looks like a real crayfish. The claws sticking up and looking mean! Crawfish claws flap...not swim.
My observations anyway.
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The characteristic "flapping" of the claws on the Paca Craw is mostly due to the way the craws or wings are attached to the bait as well as the claws.
That portion (the way the claws are attached) is patented by NetBait and is the subject of the HUGE patent infringement claim that NetBait has out there right now.
A lot of guys use Paca Craws to punch mats due to that flapping motion as it does cause a reaction bite. Many also use the Paca chunks when they swim jigs. Those wings flap and make motion. Like Andy said though, typically when I put on a swimming trailer, I am trying to imitate a baitfish vs a craw.
I don't see a lot of guys using Paca Craws for jig trailers when not swimming or moving the bait. From the video, we can see why.
Not moving, to me the Paca Craw is inferior in action if you are trying to mimic a crawfish. It rarely gives that defensive posture a crawfish shows.
Jim
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First Id like to say, That the mud bug has way more action than I ever envisioned it to have! Looks Great Jason, Thank you for the videos, it really helps!
As for the paca craw, Jim id have to disagree with many guys using it as a jig trailer when they are not swimming it. I know TONS and TONS of guys who swear buy net baits paca craws and furthermore the ragetail craw and chunks for jig trailers. I do agree that many guys use them on swim jigs and such because of the action, but I know more people than i could count who use these baits to flip and pitch a jig all the time. The intense flutter on the fall is what they love. I know it doesnt sit very well on the bottom realistically but most of them are leaving it there maybe 1-2 secs max and hopping it once and then picking it up to flip again! Id have to agree, if your dragging it on the bottom or deadsticking these baits then yes, they look like crap and the claws dont flair up.
The hardest "flutter" action to get is on the initial fall... many craws out there, when you stroke them off the bottom "flutter" but do not flutter on the fall... the mudbug looks to do that
This a very interesting topic for discussion but like i said the MudBug in that video has surprised me! -- dont judge a book buy it cover ;D Looks like a nice bait Jason and great flapping action!
-- and jim just curious... what exactly has netbait patented about the claw meeting the body? its seeems very basic and cant believe they could get a patent for that, its seems to meet the body just like any other bait, am i missing something?
Brian
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Not moving, to me the Paca Craw is inferior in action if you are trying to mimic a crawfish. It rarely gives that defensive posture a crawfish shows.
Jim
AGREED 100%
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... what exactly has netbait patented about the claw meeting the body? its seems very basic and cant believe they could get a patent for that, its seems to meet the body just like any other bait, am i missing something?
I have read this and if I remember correctly it is how the arms are flat where it enters the body. I too can not believe they got a patent and don't believe they will be successful defending it - however, I'm no attorney and am just glad I'm not involved.
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We don't fish jigs a lot here Brian as they are tough to get through the slop so you will actually know better that me on that. We are using them in the spring a bunch and that is when you are dragging them as to mimic the craw. Fish are not biting them on the fall much then.
On that NetBait patent, you can google it. It has something to do with the way it connects and I promise you, they are trying to enforce that patent. I believe there are 19 different baits listed on the suit. No clue how they got it or how is was judged different but companies have to live by it or possible be subjected to a patent infringement suit.
Jim
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I have read this and if I remember correctly it is how the arms are flat where it enters the body. I too can not believe they got a patent and don't believe they will be successful defending it - however, I'm no attorney and am just glad I'm not involved.
Maybe its the patent on the "unique" way that EVERY TIME a bluegill or baitfish picks at the claws they rip off really easy so you need to tie a new one on!!!!! LOL ::) ;D
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You know what actually swims great as a trailer on jig? The Big Foot! I tried that this past weekend and I was impressed. I really like it for hopping and swimming a jig. It also provides bulk if you are looking for a bigger bite. Makes the bait very versatile. I love baits that I can use in more ways than the intended design and the Big Foot is just that.
My experience with the Mudbug is that it will swim but you have to get the bait moving a little faster than I would like at sometimes . I really don't think there is one bait that can do it all every time is a great blend of "natural" action in slow movements and good swimming action when you want to move the bait faster.
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Lol..
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You know what actually swims great as a trailer on jig? The Big Foot! I tried that this past weekend and I was impressed. I really like it for hopping and swimming a jig. It also provides bulk if you are looking for a bigger bite. Makes the bait very versatile. I love baits that I can use in more ways than the intended design and the Big Foot is just that.
My experience with the Mudbug is that it will swim but you have to get the bait moving a little faster than I would like at sometimes . I really don't think there is one bait that can do it all every time is a great blend of "natural" action in slow movements and good swimming action when you want to move the bait faster.
I think the key in what you are saying is "bait". A bait is a finished product - which you as the bait maker have an extreme influence over. You can take a mold and inject it with hard, regular, soft, etc. and in most cases it is going to perform very differently. You could take a mold like the Mud Bug and pour it in regular for the Spring to fish like a craw, and soft in the Summer to swim it. It is going to be effective both ways, but in different scenarios. I think this is especially helpful during transition periods, fronts, etc. to have this versatility (maybe a regular / soft blend).
The Toad is an awesome bait. I am 100% confident we are going to see some double digit fish pics off someone swimming that bait.
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I am a complete newb when it comes to fishing a jig. I have 2 in my tackle box, I can't tell you the weight, couldn't tell you it's for swimming, but one is brown and one is blue and black. Oh, and they prefer water to land or limbs ;D I have 2 packs of paca craws that's been in my boat for about 2 years. Last year in the spring I said what the h***! I stuck a craw on the brown jig and caught a fish 2 to 3 pounds. The paca was black with anise blended in and pig fat??? Don't ask, I don't get it either. This year I caught a non keeper on the same rig next to a stump. I can't say the paca craw helped, but it didn't hurt. I'm sure any craw bait will do as long as it has good action.
My father and I used to wade Toledo Bend lake at night picking up crawfish to make gumbo or whatever. They were as big as lobsters! Shoot, I got crawfish living in my yard right now, bunch of free loaders. My point is the Mud Bug acts like a real crawfish at rest (defensive), ask my dog's nose..ok the last couple of lines have nothing to do with baits other than I have experience with living crawfish. I would buy it.
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Here are a couple of videos of the Mudbug from my visit to the pond today ( I am a better angler than I am videographer) :o
I had the MB rigged on a 4/0 Gamakatsu Wide Gap Worm Hook, 20lb braided line - NO WEIGHT
As you can see the bait swims - swims real good and its profile in the water is awesome at rest.
I poured these baits using a 50% mix of CC Reg and LC 502 soft. I used MF Floatant to give them some lift too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJBzQp_Aulc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqlPHZ-POxE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7X1Fjeae84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QacBRUL85OQ
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Love the video. Thanks.-Andy