First known introduction of invasive Australian Redclaw Crayfish

[WB Staff]

Researchers from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley recently discovered the first known introduction of invasive Australian Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) in Texas. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/InvasiveAustralianRedclaw

[jiggin4bass]

Oh boy I have all the colors in that crawfish In jig skirt material.

[JVGondal]

Nice

[WRB]

Growth rate 2 lbs in 1 year and lay eggs 10 times annually, we are talking lobster size crayfish, hope they are good to eat!
Tom

[jiggin4bass]

This color going to invade and add to my jig color selection

[jiggin4bass]

You can never get enough crawdad color patterns

[JVGondal]

Let’s see em

[jiggin4bass]

This is the color pattern I come up with
1.5oz delta punching jig
Australian redclaw crayfish

[JVGondal]

Nice. I need a mold for that or at least some jig heads like it.

[jiggin4bass]

The heads are called Grass Invader jig heads
Fishingskirts.com makes them
1oz. 1.5oz heads weed guards extra
If you can air brush the head they turn out great as you can see in the picture

[mark poulson]

This is the color pattern I come up with
1.5oz delta punching jig
Australian redclaw crayfish

Beautiful!

[JVGondal]

This is the color pattern I come up with
1.5oz delta punching jig
Australian redclaw crayfish

Beautiful!

Agreed
What do you clear them with for durability?

I do air brush

[jiggin4bass]

No Name Brand
K2 Gloss Clear Coat
2oz. Set

[JVGondal]

No kidding? I use that clear for model cars
It’s actually the same clear cost used in high end automotive if I’m not mistaken.

[jiggin4bass]

Another good clear coat finish is
KBS Diamond finish it also has a hard finish
The trick with these clear coats let your paint that you air brush on the Lure heads let them set up over night and cure good before you clear coat the heads. Good room temp at 80 degrees should work on curing time.

[JVGondal]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[jiggin4bass]

I also use Sem grey high build primer comes in 16oz spray cans I two coat the heads let them cure before air brushing starts.

[mark poulson]

I prime with Rustoleum Self Etching Primer, paint with Createx, and then clear with Dollar Store clear nail polish.

[JVGondal]

Tried the nail polish clear. It chips too easy for me
Powder coat is the best in durability department
I’m sure k2 is the best shine and probably second for durability
Just depends on what you want. I mean the fish don’t care if it’s chipped
An old worn in lure with hook rash works as good or better that brand new shiny eye candy
Pretty lures catch fishermen Better than fish often times

[jiggin4bass]

That's why I've been building lures as long as I have. My customers expect a little more out of me knowing they catch fish.

[JVGondal]

It’s definitely an art that requires skills to build them uniformly on a consistent basis.

[jiggin4bass]

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[jiggin4bass]

[jiggin4bass]

[JVGondal]

Very nice work. It’s obvious you have been at it a little while

[jiggin4bass]

I wish that square living rubber was still around that was the best in reg, med and fine grade
That square they make now days don't stand up to the old school square rubber Made back then. From 1977 to 79 that's when living square rubber really took off it lasted a few years. Then round rubber and in the mid 90s silicone skirt material moved in with a different type of action. Rest is history

[JVGondal]

https://andyscustombasslures.com/produc ... ingrubber/

I use this. I have not noticed a difference from the old rubber in 90

How do you like the action of silicone?
I

[jiggin4bass]

Both round rubber and silicone have there place that rubber from Andy's is not even close to the square rubber of living rubber was.
90% of my puffball jigs I tie now are silcone material I also mix fine rubber/silicone
accent material in my puffball jigs

[JVGondal]

Round rubber still in your recipes?
I use that some times but it has a memory that takes a little fishing to work it out

Still prefer the old square cut mixed with little bit of mineral oil for most my jig fishing.
I just like the action when it’s dead stick
Silicone does not look natural to me sitting still
It’s mostly what we have confidence in

I miss the old pork more than anything
I know is starting to make a come back and tried a couple different brands out on the market today.
Not impressed

[jiggin4bass]

Top Puffball jig fine round rubber
Middle Silicone Puffball jig
Bottom reg round rubber Puffball jig
All finesse jigs
I started tying the puffball jig back in 1985
Gary Alcorn Sporting Goods was the only place at the time you could buy them. The good old days gone for sure

[jiggin4bass]

[JVGondal]

Never fished the puff

What size hook and weight jig do you like for puff jigs?
That one pictured looks heavy wire and weight like flipping

[jiggin4bass]

1/4oz and 3/8oz arkie head
1/4 oz and 3/8oz standup head
1/4oz and 3/8 oz football head
I build them from 1/64oz. to 1.5 oz on pretty much any jig head made.

[jiggin4bass]

I use 2/0 3/0 & 4/0 mustard black nickel hooks reg round rubber and silicone puffball jigs.
In mini puffball jigs I make 1/64oz & 1/32oz crappie jig round heads for spotted and small mouth bass in round rubber.

[JVGondal]

[jiggin4bass]

45 years now So it was time to turn it back into a hobby so I could start fishing more again.