Rebel Craws...love 'em Or Hate 'em?

[ozark trout fisher]

I don't think I've ever heard more disagreement about one lure as I do about the Rebel Teeny Craw. Some smallmouth fisherman absolutely couldn't do without them, and rely on them almost exclusively throughout the warm months, and others wouldn't be caught dead with them. I am solidly in the first category, as I'm sure you all know. I've relied on them heavily ever since I got into smallmouth fishing, and I can count on one hand the trips that they haven't produced well during the summertime. I am a big believer in finding a lure or fly that I have almost complete confidence in, and using it until it becomes clear that it is the wrong choice for a given day...then try other things if the need arises.

But anyway, I feel like starting a friendly debate here, so what do you all think about them?

[Fish Ogre]

That is a no vote from me.

I used to use them when I first started fishing, but have long ago moved on to other lures for my river fishing.

I do however still carry a few with me on almost every trip.

[usmcgrunt]

I love those things! It's not my "go to" lure, but when nothing else works, they almost always produce a fish of some sort. My tackle box wouldn't be complete without one. or three...

[Wayne SW/MO]

They're a good lure, but all good lures have a problem. We all sometimes get so hung up on one lure that we fail to experiment and often avoid those slow days.

If you like to throw hard baits then it's certanly one to consider starting with, but you should never rate a trip on how it alone produces.

[Fishslayer88]

Yes vote! I like the little ones for goggle eye too.

[Stoneroller]

I love them, I just don't like how the rear hook will get hung in the opening between the claws, but I really feel like that opening and the overall design of the craw is what sets it apart from similar lures, most of which are just regular crankbait bodies, painted to 'look' like a craw (fail!). Cabelas make a similar craw crainkbait which I have not tried.

This year I picked up some of the Kopper's LiveTarget crayfish cranks to try. so far, nothing, but i've only used it for less than 50 casts, so the jury is still out on it. (btw it's the old style with the flat paint, not the new shiny or translucent ones)

[jdmidwest]

Nope. SSR5 Rapala Shad Raps or SR5 Shad Raps in crawdad color are better producers. Then there are the little yammies in various colors that go good too. Yum makes a good craw.

[Al Agnew]

Nope. No doubt it's a good lure, but it doesn't fit my "needs". I've got my homemade crankbait for a shallow runner, and I use Wiggle Warts and Norman Middle Ns for deep runners. The Rebel is kind of a medium depth runner, and I just haven't found the need for one that runs in between shallow and deep.

[Jack Jones]

Al I can appreciate you using the homemade one, but assuming you didn't or couldn't make one homemade, would you then consider using the Rebel? Or would you chose something else for the shallows?

[ollie]

I have a couple of them in my box, but haven't put one of them on in years. They do produce fish don't get me wrong, but for me they seem to produce all the dinks! lol