Bugs for Smallies

I spent a hot September day on the Rum River chasing Smallmouth. Everywhere we found low overhanging trees, there wee beetles falling into the water and the Smallmouth were going crazy for them. Nothing I threw seemed close enough. Either my bug was too big or it floated to high, and it moved to quickly. I had a lot of lookers but no takers. Thinking about this, i have concluded I was looking at Cicadas falling into the river. I found a dead one on the sidewalk last fall and used it as a model to come up with a better imitation. I think these things just might work. Of course I have to wait 7 or 8 months to find out….

SR

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Looks grrreat to me have fun with them

I fish the rum for smallmouth in July and August, mostly with a small 2 inch storm subwart. It’s a discontinued shallow running crank bait that floats. Some of the best spots are near downed trees. It never occurred to me that my presentation could be representing a cicada.

We always had fun with zonkers and maribou leeches of the fox river. Anywhere rock met mud

I’ve been wanting to experiment more with bug baits myself. Mainly for cold water suckers. They are easy to find up in Monticello this time of year but I have zero luck catching them. Have tried hair with no luck (except smallies).

Floating definitely looks like it could pay off for you. Good looking bait.

Marabou jigs have worked for me all year. It’s rare when they aren’t the best lure. Otherwise a scum frog deep in the trees.

Steve, I originally saw your post on this on FB and it’s hard to gauge size/scale but thought it might be the first official Murder Hornet lure – ha!

Once Pandemic calms down hopefully by next fishing season, Murder Hornet frenzy will be back on the rise. I think you have a business opportunity to come up with a 3 inch Queen version. Whether it catches fish is immaterial, you might be able to sell thousands of them

LOL The real bug measures 1 1/4 inches long by 1/2 inch wide. Pretty substantial critter, and I can see why the Bass would be happy to eat one. The hook I used is a #4 streamer hook that is 3X long. That way I can tie this the same size as the real bug. My version is pretty close to the same size as the original.

SR

Well done, Rootski! Really nice design.

Interesting the SMB were that selective. It looks like there may be some dubbing and fur underneath the foam?

Tegg, here’s the recipe:

Hook: #4 Streamer hook 3X long
Underbody: White chenille colored with a brown permanent marker
Legs: Hen hackle, grizzly died yellow. Tied in over the thorax.
Back: Brown 2mm craft foam
Wings: Fine deer hair
Eyes: Plastic beads glued to a piece of 50# mono