A weekend was spent under the tutelage of bass master Jon at PML. This time he pulled in two 4.8 pound monsters, two 2.7 pounders, and a little one. I brought up to the boat two small 2 pound babies. Vance and Steve showed the big white stripe down their backs. All the fish were caught on Saturday; we all had empty larders on Sunday. Ah, the worst day fishing - still beats . . .
On this trip there was some question about the exact lure instructions that Jon provided. He has subsequently sent on these notes.
(Read about other fun with my friends.)
LUHR-JENSEN "KLAWDAD" TECH SHEET http://www.luhr-jensen.com
FISHING THE NEW LUHR JENSEN "KLAWDAD" (Patent Pending)
"The World Standard for Crayfish Imitation Crankbaits" Whether you are a beginning, intermediate or pro-level angler, you will find this Tech Sheet a valuable aid in fishing with the new "Klawdad" crankbait series by Luhr Jensen.
TOOL FEATURES The new Klawdad series of crayfish imitations are the most advanced crayfish crankbaits ever offered to anglers because they are outstanding crankbaits in addition to their detailed, natural profiles. We believe the natural "tail-out" position is superior in species recognition at lower lure speeds in clear water than typical "tail-tucked under" crayfish crankbaits with heavy, action-robbing claws.
(Note: Those "tail-under" designs are little more than conventional wide body alphabet plugs with claws added later along with some detail, and as such, they are no different from standard alphabet plugs when in motion. Beyond color, lure speed and bottom contact it is unlikely a bass would ever perceive the tail-under designs as crayfish.)
The Klawdad offers a long, cylindrical, "tail-out" design with full claws and detail for species recognition as the lure slow-rises or contacts cover at low speeds in clear water. This lure is the first fully-clawed crayfish imitation featuring split rings for less fish twist offs in combination with in-line belly hooks for greater snag resistance than typical crayfish lures with hooks positioned at the ends of the claws.
The Klawdad also features computer-aided design and unique patent pending claws and hook positions. The vibration and "action" of the Klawdad at all cranking speeds is superior to crayfish crankbaits with hooks positioned at the ends of the claws.
Our "tail-out" Klawdad allows for the following:
* Accurate Casting Characteristics - Target casters will love the accurate, easy-to-cast weight-forward Klawdad.
* Durability - Tough ABS plastic body and gloss protective coating survives contact with rocks and stumps for long lure life - even in cold water . * Speed-Variable Action - A wide wiggle at lower lure speeds and superior to wood vibration at higher cranking speeds.
* Blazing Speed - A tuned Klawdad will run straight as fast as you can crank a modern reel - great for clear water!
* "Klaw-Cam" design - The claws actually improve lure action and protect the hooks, yet do not interfere with strikes. * Medium Buoyancy - A medium "rise rate" to show off the natural profile and detail and float clear of snags.
* Anti-Roll-Over Feature - The Klawdad, like our popular Brush Babyr is one of the few crankbaits ever made that will not roll on its side after bottom contact! Result? Continued lure action and less exposure of hooks to snags.
COLORS The Klawdad will be offered in a range of exciting industry-leading colors that will accurately imitate most crayfish species around the continent. These will include molting, soft-shell, fireclaw, dark back and light shelled species. Also included are high visibility colors to cover water color variations and colors that have proved effective on jig and pork chunk combinations.
HOOKS The Klawdad series was carefully designed to carry certain hook styles and sizes. We strongly recommend that you replace them with identical sizes and styles and avoid casual changes of hook styles that may catch on the claws or change the lure's action.
Avoid most replacement hooks with narrow gaps between shank and point, and hooks with beaked or curved points. Also avoid those with longer shanks than those already on your lure.
The medium size Klawdad (body length 3 1/4" without claws) takes a VMC #5, style 9650 bronze treble under the claws and a VMC #6, style 9650 bronze treble near the tail. Other potential replacement hooks are Eagle Claw "Feather Lite" Teflonr-coated, L754G, sizes 4, 6 & 8; Eagle Claw L954B, Size 8 and Eagle Claw L934 Bronze, sizes 5, 6 & 8.
The small Klawdad (body length 2 3/16") features two VMC #8 style 9650 bronze trebles under both claws and tail. It also carries a smaller size #1 split ring. Be sure to replace these with either identical or similar hook sizes with closely matched gap and shank lengths.
Luhr Jensen Customer Service at 1-800-535-1711 also offers replacement hook packets with split rings if needed for the price of hooks, handling and postage, or e-mail us at ljcustserve@gorge.net for pricing.
All styles and designs of hooks eventually need sharpening, regardless of their source. We recommend a Luhr Jensen #9130 Sharp Hook File with handle. On the small Klawdad use a light sharpening or "touch-up" on both of the size 8 trebles after strikes by hard-mouthed species such as smallmouth bass and on the larger, medium-size Klawdad, we recommend aligning the treble hook tines on the hook under the claws as they are in their true running positions and then sharpening the downward turned hook point. This is the point that catches most fish and to find it, just align the split ring so it is horizontal to the body (see drawing at right). This avoids hair-thin sharpened points sticking on the claws. Sharpen all the points on the size 6 hook under the tail.
DIVING DEPTHS The Klawdads quickly reach their maximum depth on 8- to 10-lb. mono but they can be used on progressively heavier line as a means of controlling depth. The medium size lure runs 6' on 10-lb. line The smaller lure runs 4' on 10-lb. test.
FISHING TECHNIQUE TIPS
* Speed - You can simply "burn" these lures in clear water without any bottom or cover contact. Speed control and tight vibration are a fish response-plus in many situations.
* Bottom Contact - Rocks - The ABS plastic body gives a very clear, sharp bottom signal when you tap a rock. If rocks are jagged with closely positioned crevices and edges, crank down at moderate speed until you tap the first rock, then slow down your retrieve and just "thread" the lure from rock to rock. Fish will take the natural, extended body shape as it floats up after bottom contact or just after it starts to move again. The low forward speed, with a quick spurt between rocks, results in less wedging of the bottom-clinging lure lip in crevices. Hooks will rarely hang, but high speeds can wedge the body in crevices. You can also "tap" individual rocks and let the lure slowly float up. If you wedge a Klawdad, just swim it out with your rod tip underwater in the opposite direction from which it entered the crevice.
* Blip or Buzz Technique - We have found both size Klawdads to be very effective when fished in spurts along the bottom and also at low retrieve speeds in dingy water. Just make light bottom contact, then blip or "buzz" the lure with a few quick turns of the reel handle. Let the lure stop and rise, then buzz or sweep it again and repeat. This technique really triggers following smallmouth bass!
* Cover Contact - Wood - The small Klawdad, with its compact body and hook positions, is excellent in both wood and rock. The larger lure, with its ability to tightly cling to cover, requires a great technique in wood or rock cover that we call "threading". The horizontal lure body and belly axis hooks really take advantage of the "threading" technique because it reduces hang-ups or wedging and gives the fish a good look at the natural lure profile. To "thread" the lures, simply make cautious initial contact with the cover, then slowly reel the lure forward. It should feel just like you are slowly refilling your reel spool with line held between thumb and forefinger. This is a great retrieve for the Klawdad and takes full advantage of its belly hook placement. You can tap a branch, but just slowly reel as though you were filling the spool with line without a lure on. In between contact you can buzz the lure forward a foot or two and then slowly reel again. Adjust rod tip from high to low positions to work the lure through cover. Work on this type of retrieve control and you should find that fish perceive the Klawdad differently from conventional crankbaits and will often take that long, slim body profile deeper into their mouths. With this lure's closely-spaced hooks, many boated fish will be held by both hooks.
If you work out any new tips or techniques such as Carolina rigging the smaller Klawdad, send them to us at: Luhr Jensen & Sons, P.O. Box 297, Hood River, OR 97031, Attention: Customer Service. Phone 1-800-535-1711. (7:30 - 4:30 P.S.T.) or simply E-MAIL us 24 hours a day.