I was looking for a crayfish bait and came across the 3.25” YUM crawbug at a local shop.  At a price of $3.99 CDN for 8 they seemed like a steal compared to other brands, so I picked up a bag in green pumpkin chartreuse.  This is the first YUM brand bait I’ve tried.  I’m planning to try one on a 1/4oz. Texas rig tomorrow with an Owner light wire EWG short shank hook.  After tying it up, I wondered if a 1/8oz. might be better for this little bait (?).

 

Anyone else using this bait?  What’s your favourite way to fish them?

I use alot of yum brand baits these are some of my biggest produces and favorites 

They work just as good as any craw.  I used to use them river fishing for smallies.   You can either use a round jig head or t-rig them.  
 

I think they work better for more finesse stuff in clear water 

I've used the Yum craw baits also. T rig, light 1/8 or 3/16 weight. I usually use the natural craw color. Slow hops on the bottom with an occasional pause. Sometimes, drag them a few inches at a time works also.

I can’t find much YUM on a local scale. What few YUM soft plastics I have used has worked well. Smaller Dingers and the Swim Dinger I bite off and use as a trailer on some jigs and buzzbaits. I’ve written off every Wally World, DICKS and tackle shop in my area to have what I want. Maybe online? I go like their Garlic scent masking spray. 

They've been awesome for me as a jig trailer.  I haven't used them for any other application, but I'm always tempted to T-Rig one.  I tend to rig up larger baits for T Rigs, though.

What hook size to use on a crawbug (texas rig)?

1 hour ago, Ravox said:

What hook size to use on a crawbug (texas rig)?

I believe I could get the bigger size to fit on a 4/0 hook. 
 

smaller size probably 2/0

This is my number 1 river smallie soft plastic and no other bait even comes close. I mainly fish the 2.5" crawbug on a slider spider head with a 2/0 hook. For the 3.25" I would use a slider spider head with a 3/0 hook.

 

Not sure what it is about these, but the fish just eat them. I have a big stash of these, but the durability is extremely good. 

Never tried Texas rigging the Yum Bug ; but the 2.5 inch Yum Bug on a 1/8oz Round Ball Jig, is a simple but productive way to catch Smallmouth Bass. 

These work great when fished as a tube with an tube insert jig as well. 

I have used them as a trailer for jigs with some success but Texas rigged has not been very productive.  I have better luck with Rage Craws.  

 

 

5 hours ago, Ravox said:

What hook size to use on a crawbug (texas rig)?

I’m pretty new to this, but am using a 3/0 Owner EWG J Hook that looks about prefect.  A 2/0 would work too, but might me a bit tight for hook sets.  A 4/0 looks too long.

 

Here’s a pic with hooks (top to bottom) being an Eagle Claw 4/0 EWG, Owner 3/0 J Hook and Eagle Claw 2/0.

I use size 3/0 hook or a shaky head 

Where can I find a few packs of Yum 2 1/2" Crawbugs in the black & blue color??