Jiggin' Johnsons' Craw Trailer 2.75" Soft Plastic Bait

When/Where: Wood, docks, laydowns, and grass edges—anywhere you’re pitching and expecting a “thunk” bite.

How: Thread it straight so the claws sit even. Pitch tight, let it fall on semi-slack, then hop it once or twice and move on.

Why: You get a compact craw profile that comes through cover clean while still looking substantial in the strike zone.

Tuning: If you want a tighter profile, trim a small amount off the head so it seats snug against the jig collar.

When/Where: Stained water, wind, grass lanes, and anytime you want vibration but still want a craw-ish body behind it.

How: Rig perfectly centered. Steady retrieve to keep the blade working, then add quick “tick the grass” pops to trigger reactions.

Why: The blade calls them in; the trailer keeps the bait looking meaty and believable when they close the distance.

Tuning: If the bait rolls, re-rig straighter and make sure it’s seated flush on the keeper.

When/Where: Clear to lightly stained water, pressured fish, and smallmouth water where subtle “craw on bottom” wins.

How: Drag, pause, and shake in place. Keep rod movements small—let the trailer do the “alive” part.

Why: Compact + natural reads as forage instead of a big presentation fish can inspect forever.

Tuning: If bites are light, slow down and lengthen pauses—make it easy to pin.

When/Where: Rock, gravel, and hard-bottom transitions where you’re dragging and keeping contact.

How: Drag steadily with occasional hops. Pause when you hit a rock cluster—often that’s where the bite loads up.

Why: The trailer adds profile and “craw posture” while the head does the bottom work.

Tuning: If you’re hanging too much, lighten up or reduce your drag angle (raise rod tip slightly).

When/Where: Grass edges and shallow cover when fish are feeding but still want a compact, craw-ish look.

How: Swim it steady, then kill it next to cover and let it fall—think “swim…drop…swim.”

Why: You get a small profile that moves clean through cover and still looks like food on the fall.

Tuning: If it rides too high, slow down and keep your rod tip down to maintain depth.

When/Where: Flats, points, and transition areas where you’re searching while keeping a bait near bottom.

How: Drag and pause. When you feel a “tap,” stop moving it and let the fish load up before you lean in.

Why: A compact craw profile behind a leader looks natural and stays in the zone without constant hopping.

Tuning: If you’re missing bites, slow down and keep the rig moving less—more pause, less drag.

When/Where: Thick grass and matted cover when you need a compact bait that slips through clean.

How: Rig it straight and keep the profile tight. Punch, let it hit bottom, hop once, then re-punch.

Why: компакт craw silhouette + controlled appendages = fewer hang-ups and faster decision bites.

Tuning: If it bunches on the hook, re-rig and make sure the bait is perfectly straight and snug.

When/Where: Rock, sand, and open-bottom areas where you want a simple hop-and-drag craw look.

How: Cast, let it settle, then hop lightly and drag between hops.

Why: A straightforward way to show a craw profile without the bulk of a skirted jig.

Tuning: If you’re snagging, reduce hop height and keep it moving more smoothly.

When/Where: Weeds, brush, docks, and mixed cover where you want craw action but need weedless.

How: Pitch, let it fall, then crawl it with tiny hops. Pause longer around isolated targets.

Why: It’s the cleanest “craw anywhere” setup—simple, efficient, and effective.

Tuning: If fish are just pecking, lighten up and slow down so they can get it.