3 minutes ago, RRocket said:

That's really great! 

 

What is the regional/local name for such a lure? 

Gapen’s Ugly Bug, introduced in 1969 by Dan Gapen and one of their best ever sellers. Still used and around today, but it was a killer river bait, especially when tipped with a piece of crawler for scent.

I started making bugs for river smallmouths because  they preferred soft plastics with appendages over straight worms most days. I had 100 fish days with them . Then I started using them for reservoir largemouths.  Caught a few nice channel cats with them.

3 hours ago, Team9nine said:

We’ve been fishing “fuzzy baits” in the Midwest with good success since 1969…

 

Old Dan Gapen  Great guy

There's a fine line between sharing a friendly fishing tip and sharing classified information.  This thread  has crossed that line in a few areas.  😆

Saw Bobber Ann thursday @ the boat/fishing show. They are still in operation. Saw KVD also...

16 hours ago, RRocket said:

I agree with all of this which is why I've really got into these baits. And it really started with the poop baits for me, particularly the CoverScat. These flat out get bit, yet they look like nothing special. Until you see the vibrating the fat butt on these does in underwater videos.  Which is like the vibrating and water displacement you refer to.

 

Now in the more bug shaped baits, I have seen plenty of videos where the tiny legs are positively buzzing on the drop. If the lateral line is a sensitive as we've been made to believe, fish would undoubtedly detect these vibrations.

 

Check out the below video as example

 

https://youtu.be/3JK0sb49WVw?feature=shared

In the video the appendages do seem to vibrate quite a bit. Interesting.

I had a bunch of these type baits show up in a bulk plastics order about 6-7 years when I used to sell them at a flea market. I eventually was able to ID the bait as an "Arkie" bug which Tackle warehouse sells and they are not expensive.

 

I never actually threw them but believe I have a few stashed somewhere and plan on making some of these myself as well. I have a ton of old plastics stored away which are damaged etc. so now I can likely make some good ones. 

 

Appreciate the post. I have become a big fan of wacky rigs lately since the water is clear this time of year in many of the places I fish, so a slow falling bait with silicone will likely be fantastic especially in the parks which are pressured. 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Arkie_Salty_Crawlin_Fry/descpage-ARKFRY.html?from=gpmax&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1p28BhCBARIsADP9HrPvEeZ81BIipADQkhLtehcuQx8Z5Sz9zNjmY0fN0RiRmuU_XLpPrOwaAkGHEALw_wcB