Chasebaits “Crusty Crab” Fishing Lure Review (Plus Retrieval Tips)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
- Found In: Crab Lures, Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Lure Reviews, Product Reviews, Retrieving Lures
Have you tried these “Crusty Crab” lures from Chasebaits?
I’ve seen quite a few anglers claiming they’ve had success catching everything from redfish, black drum, and sheepshead on them, so I figured that I’ve them a shot.
I recently did a review on the larger Chasebait “Smash Crab” (see that review here), so I was excited to see how these smaller crabs did out on the water.
Here are the overall findings (with a video review and tips below):
Pros Of The Chasebaits Crusty Crab
- Very durable (these lures will last forever)
- The always land in the water face up due to how they are weighted
- They look incredibly realistic (look just like a fiddler crab)
- 2-inches (great size lure when fish are feeding on smaller bait)
Cons Of The Chasebaits Crusty Crab
- Very light (tough to cast in the wind)
- Don’t store them without plastic lures (they will melt together)
Watch below for the full review (plus casting and retrieval tips)
Chasebaits Crusty Crab Review (VIDEO)
What are your thoughts on this lure?
Have you used it?
Any other favorite crab lure you love?
Let us know in the comment section below.
Tight lines!
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Related Posts:
Chasebaits Chasebaits Smash Crab Review (see it here now)
Chasebaits FlickPrawn Review (see it here now)
Berkley Gulp Peeler Crab Review (see it here now)
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Tony, I’ve seen a few nice sheeps in the shallows around tall grass, near the shore. I usually spook them looking for reds. Do you think the Savage Gear crab would do well in this scenario?
Hey Matt!
Yes, Thats what I’ve been using lately since Chasebaits actually doesn’t sell their product in the US anymore (Australian based, was only in the US for a short period)
I use the Savage Gear Duratech Crab 3/4″ size. Nice and small but casts just fine on light tackle.
Tony, I like the crabs, However were i fish there is a lot of current, Where can I buy some?
Thanks, Jerry
Tony – Have you tried the other crab lures? Have you tried it on Sheapshead? Thanks
Savage Gear has a similar crab lure that I feel works better in areas with more current because it sinks faster. This one is more ideal in areas with little current because it sinks a little slow. Works awesome for sheepshead around docks!
Another great review. Do you use a loop knot as with most other artificials?
Thanks Hector! Yes I use a loop knot with this lure.
Great report as always Tony. Pretty cool to have so many choices as we head into the winter. Curious on a few things. What weight flouro do you use on this lure? 25#’s ? What knot do you tie to it? The Crusty Crab has a Number 2 hook on it….seems small but looking at all the reviews I guess it works. Any issues with hook size?
Thanks George! It depends on where I am fishing. On open flats I go with 20lb fluorocarbon and if I am fishing around docks I will use 25 to 30lb. I use a loop knot to attach the lure to my leader. No issues with hook size. I have caught some very large black drum on this lure. I am a firm believer that you can never really go too small on a hook, you can only go too big.
Thanks Tony – any particular color you suggest?
The Sand Crab color seems to be the best match to fiddler crabs. Works great in cleaner water. The Muddie color works well in more dirty water.
How do these stack up to the gulp peeler crabs? I tried the gulps yesterday but they were getting absolutely destroyed by small trash fish. Two or three casts and almost nothing would be left of the gulp. If that sort of thing a problem for the Crusty’s?
Hey Dustin,
I haven’t had any issues with them getting torn up. They are a much tougher material than gulp, and they don’t have the scent that attracts those bait destroyers. I do add some pro cure scent to them and still haven’t had any issues.
I picked up some of the crusty’s and got to test them on Sunday. I was getting consistent hits under docks with a muddie colored Crusty Crab. I used one crab, caught several sheeps and the crab is unharmed. I did pretty much exactly what you said. Throw crab, let it sit for a short bit and then retrieve with a super slow crawl. I’ve never caught a sheepshead on artificials before. This crab was an outstanding buy.
ordered some crusty crabs there sending me different ones crusty crabs!from amazon guess they got sold out?
Hey Daniel!
Not sure if I understood what you said. You ordered a certain color and they’re sending a different color? Or they’re sending a completely different lure?
If so, I would just contact them directly and I’m sure they’ll fix it for you. They are pretty quick with orders when you order from their main web page.
http://www.chasebaitsusa.com
Hey Tony,
Very good review of the “crusty crab”. Are crab lures a good choice as we go into the winter, or are they
only effective in the summer?
Thanks John!
Crab and shrimp lures can be best in the winter time because that is a staple food for fish in the winter. Spring and summer they focus more on baitfish.
Hi Tony, Since this lure is so light, curious if you tried fishing it on a Carolina rig? You’d be able to throw it a lot farther and you can still drag it slowly on the bottom.
I haven’t tried that but sounds like a good idea!
I won’t be back in FLA until late January. If you get a chance to try it before then, let me know if it works. Happy Holidays, Tony.