For fast movement go with Rage Tail.

 

For slow movement go with Zoom, Paca Craws or other name brands.

 

Sometimes you want a lot of action and other times you don't.

 

As for hooks, personal choice. If you want the craw to sit properly on the bottom like a crawfish, rig the hook from the side of the craw or lizard or other creature bait through the bait so the hook is actually going right to left in lieu of up and down.

 

I like the EWG hook but that's just me.

i really like the damiki air craws

I fish craws as a jig trailer and rarely by themselves. I'll use them to add bulk, action, adjust fall rate,etc.  I couldn't choose only one favorite as both the Paca and Rage Tails would tie for the title.

young and on a budget?

 

Depending on how much you fish 2 packs of Z Man Turbo Crawz could last you an entire season.  After switching Z man ElaZtech it's hard to go back to regular soft plastics- they fill 90% of my needs.

 

 

I'm also on the Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw wagon, but I use mine on a spot remover shakeyhead. Seems to keep it standing up better in current as its getting carried down stream. Or at least that's how I see it in my mind. 

My favorite is the Producto Crawdad. Favorite color is the H12 (Junebug/Blue Glitter)

It's like asking "what's the best plastic worm?".  There are a ton of really good ones - it's just a matter of knowing when to use them. 

 

I probably have  two dozen different craw imitations from Bitsy Craws to Rage Lobsters.  I break them into a few different groups based on bulk and action like a lot of you guys, but I also modify a lot of crayfish baits.  

 

Beaver style baits, I might trim off appendages to reduce action, but keep bulk.  Similarly, I may cut a body in half to decrease bulk/increase rate of fall.  

 

Longer, narrow baits like Speed Craws, I might cut down substantially if I'm using it as a jig trailer. If I'm fishing it T-rigged or on a swinging football jig, I'm most likely only going to cut them to match the hatch. 

 

If I want big profile and lots of action but fast rate of fall, I may use a Rage chunk, or cut down a Rage lobster.  

Much like my answer for the "favorite worm" question, I am very biased towards Zoom. They're a local company, and I swore by Zoom worms fishing ponds for years after catching my first bass on one. These are what I'll use for trailers on jigs.

 

Warm- Ultra Vibe Speed Craw, Fat Albert Double Tail Grub, Z-Craw

Cool- Big Salty Chunk, Super Chunk, Z-Hog

my favorites are on the more realistic side , for using on a shakey head or jig , i use the Savage Gear 3D craw and for punching i use the Savage Gear Rattling Reaction craw , both in red crawfish

included a picture of a natural craw found in the places i fish ..