CrustaceanintermediateSoutheast & Carolinas
Appalachian Crayfish
$6.95
Available Sizes#4 - #8
Color Variations
Olive/OrangeBrown/OrangeRustTan
The New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world, and its smallmouth bass have been eating crayfish for longer than most civilizations have existed. This pattern honors that ancient tradition with a weighted body that hits the bottom claws-first, rubber legs that twitch with crustacean anxiety, and an olive-orange color scheme that says 'I am a crayfish trying to cross open water, and I am aware that this was a mistake.' The dumbell eyes keep it oriented bottom-down, and the marabou claws flare on the pause, creating a defensive posture that smallmouth find absolutely intolerable.
Quick Facts
TypeCrustacean
Difficultyintermediate
SeasonsSpring, Summer, Fall
Target SpeciesSmallmouth Bass, Brown Trout
Sizes#4 - #8
Best LocationsNew River, WV; Chattooga River, SC; Shenandoah National Park, VA
Where to Fish It
New River
WV · Freestone River
Chattooga River
SC · Mountain Freestone
Shenandoah National Park
VA · Mountain Freestone
Map unavailable. Locations for Appalachian Crayfish: New River, WV; Chattooga River, SC; Shenandoah National Park, VA
Related Reading
region guide
Southeast: From Smokies Brookies to Lowcountry Reds
The American Southeast spans an extraordinary gradient — from native brook trout in the cold headwaters of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to sight-casting for tailing redfish in the spartina grass of the Lowcountry. This is the guide to fishing both ends of that spectrum and everything in between.
species science
The Bronze Back: Smallmouth Bass on the Fly
Smallmouth bass fight harder than trout, eat more aggressively than largemouth, and live in some of the most beautiful water on the continent. From Driftless spring creeks to Great Lakes tributaries to Appalachian smallmouth rivers, the bronze back demands respect and rewards understanding.
You Might Also Like
CrustaceanintermediateNear Nuff Crayfish
$6.50Great Lakes
#4 - #8
Simplified crayfish pattern with a spun deer hair head and rubber legs. Lighter than heavily weighted versions, making it ideal for shallow river smallmouth in clear water.
Olive/OrangeBrown/TanRust/Cream
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Brown Trout
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
CrustaceanintermediateBlue River Crawdad
$6.95Midwest & Driftless
#4 - #8
Weighted crayfish pattern with rubber legs and dumbbell eyes designed for Oklahoma's Blue River and Lower Mountain Fork tailwaters. Olive/orange coloration matches the native crawdads that trout and bass feed on heavily.
Olive/OrangeBrown/RustTanCopper/Orange
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Smallmouth Bass
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
CrustaceanintermediateEP Shrimp
$7.95Southeast & Carolinas
#2 - #6
Enrico Puglisi fiber shrimp for Carolina and Georgia flats. Translucent body pulses in the current. Deadly on tailing redfish.
TanRoot BeerPinkOlive
Redfish · Speckled Trout · Black Drum
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
CrustaceanintermediateRedfish Crack
$8.95Southeast & Carolinas
#2 - #6
Epoxy-backed crab and shrimp hybrid. Weedguard equipped for fishing oyster bars. Named because redfish eat it like an addiction.
TanOliveBrown/OrangeRust
Redfish · Black Drum · Sheepshead
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
CrustaceanintermediateClouser Crayfish
$6.00Southwest & California
4-8
A weighted crayfish imitation that rides hook-point-up for bottom-bouncing through rocky desert rivers. Smallmouth bass in Arizona and Nevada canyon waters can't resist it.
olive/orangebrowntan
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Brown Trout
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
CrustaceanintermediateSmallmouth Crayfish
$6.95Great Lakes
#4 - #8
Weighted crayfish pattern for Great Lakes smallmouth. Lead eyes and rubber legs crawl it along the bottom through boulder fields and gravel bars.
Olive/OrangeBrown/OrangeRust
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass
SprSumFallWin
View Details →