Today we’re talking about something that can absolutely help you catch more bass and that is how to pick the right style craw! Now listen, soft plastic crawfish baits are one of the most important shapes in bass fishing. Outside of stick baits and minnow-style baits, nothing has changed the game more than a craw. Why? Because bass LOVE to eat crawfish. It’s that simple. They live around them. They hunt them. They crush them!
The other thing I love about a craw shape is versatility. You can Texas rig it, flip and pitch it, you can punch heavy mats, drag it on a football jig, use it as swim jig trailer or put it on the back of a vibrating jig …it does it ALL!
The craw flat out works! But here’s the deal, not all craws are the same. The biggest difference comes down to the arms. That’s what controls the action. And I break craws into three categories: neutral action, moderate action, and heavy action.
1. Neutral Action Craws – Subtle and Natural
A perfect example of this style is the Berkley Powerbait Chigger Craw. This craw has straight, flat arms. No big curls. No crazy appendages. Just subtle movement.
I reach for a neutral craw in three main situations:
- Cold water (mid-50s and below)
- Lethargic or pressured fish
- Ultra clear water (10+ feet visibility)
When the water is cold, crawfish barely move, bass aren’t chasing. They’re sluggish. If you throw something with wild flapping arms, it looks unnatural. That subtle, straight-arm craw mimics a real cold-water crawfish perfectly.
I especially love this style on a football jig, dragged slowly on the bottom. You can also Texas rig it and barely crawl it along the bottom”. In ultra-clear water, bass inspect your bait. Too much action can actually hurt you. That neutral craw keeps it natural and realistic.
2. Moderate Action Craws – The All-Around Workhorse
Next up is the moderate action craw. A great example is the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Stank-Bug. This bait has small curls and ridges on the arms. Not crazy movement, just enough to add some life.
This is my go-to when:
- Water temps are mid-50s to around 70 degrees
- Fish are starting to feed more
- Water is stained or slightly dirty
As water warms, crawfish get more active and bass get more aggressive. That little bit of kick in the arms matches the mood of the fish.
I love this style in two key applications:
- As a ChatterBait type trailer – The blade provides the main vibration. The moderate arms add just enough secondary movement without overpowering it.
- Punching heavier cover – It’s streamlined enough to get through mats, but once it breaks through, those small arms start moving. That subtle action on the fall gets extra bites.
The MaxScent formula is huge here too. When a bass bites, they hold on longer. And with heavier weights, ½ oz, ¾ oz, even 1 oz, that extra hold time makes a big difference.
3. Heavy Action Craws – Big Movement for Big Conditions
Now let’s talk about the big boys. The Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Crud Craw has giant hooked arms and high ridges that grab water and move a ton.
This is your heavy-action craw.
I throw this when:
- Water is hot (75–90 degrees)
- Fish are aggressive and chasing
- Water is muddy or heavily stained
In the summer, everything is amped up. Crawfish are active. Bluegill are active. Bass metabolism is high. That big flapping action matches the energy level.
In dirty water, bass rely less on sight and more on vibration. That heavy arm movement helps them find the bait.
Two of my favorite ways to rig it:
- Texas rigged and pitched to isolated cover like docks, laydowns, and stumps
- On the back of a swim jig – This is huge. A swim jig without a trailer is subtle. Add a heavy-action craw and those arms kick like crazy, making that jig come alive.
It creates drawing power. Fish feel it and react to it!
Quick Word on Color
Last thing, let’s talk about color real quick. Don’t overthink color. Keep it simple. Dark colors like black/blue and Junebug are for dirty water. Natural greens, like Green Pumpkin, work best in clear water and then slightly translucent colors for pressured fish. The trick is to stay natural.
You do not need 20 different craw colors in your boat! Have a few dark options, a few middle-of-the-road natural colors for everyday conditions, and a couple lighter, more translucent baits. That’s it.
At the end of the day, picking the right craw comes down to one rule: match the action of the bait to the activity level of the fish and the water conditions. Dial that in, and you won’t just get a few bites, you’ll get a lot more bites!
Follow Ike on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok for fishing and fun content. Subscribe to Mike’s YouTube channel for access to his educational ‘Ike in the Shop’ videos and his ‘Going Ike’ Adventure series!
