I've received a few emails from anglers on how to rig the Matrix Craw, so I made a video to help them out. Now you can see it, too!
Some knowledge I take for granted and, as a result, I tend to overlook it.
This is why I make sure to write articles that better explain this knowledge and go into detail with a video.
How to Rig The Matrix Craw
This video gives a breakdown of how I do it.
Why a Matrix Craw and Owner Flashy Swimmer?
Louisiana's inshore waters are not quite uniform. In fact, they vary in different areas.
In some places, like the Biloxi Marsh, there is little to no aquatic grass.
Throwing a lure with an open hook, like a Golden Eye Jighead or spinnerbait is easy to do; there's nothing for it to get hung up on.
But, in freshwater marsh we come across aquatic grass. That same jighead would become fouled by grass, destroying a good presentation to fish.
Spinnerbaits aren't as weedless as a Flashy Swimmer.
So We Use Weedless Tackle
Swimhooks can be rigged onto soft plastics, such as a Matrix Craw, so they are weedless and easily slide between aquatic grass.
Combine this with the skin hook technique and you have an ultra-weedless presentation!
Better yet, the Flashy Swimmer has an underspin, a blade that spins beneath the body of the bait.
This gives you a little flash and vibration like a spinnerbait without fouling.
But it rigs a little differently...
As you can see in the video there is a "screw lock" (or "twist lock") that secures the butt of the craw, the hook then goes through towards the head (craws are retrieved backwards through the water).
Anyone new to this may be confused at first, but once they see how it's done they're good to go.
Where to Learn More
Knowing how to rig weedless lures is only one piece of the puzzle.
The rest are found in Sight Fishing Mastery School.
With Sight Fishing Mastery School you learn:
- which equipment works and what you shouldn't waste money on
- best tackle for redfish in saltwater and freshwater marsh
- lures that work and don't work and when to use them
- how to handle "spooky" reds
- avoid getting stuck
- how to stealthily approach reds so they are ready to eat
- and more
I believe it’s the 3/0.
This is great information, keep it coming!
Are the hooks you’re referring to belly weighted or are they jig heads?
Are you molding them yourself?
Thanks for commenting, George. Hope to hear back!
Ok Devin, I’m gonna leave comment, not because I’m that good a fisherman it’s because I’m a tightwad. I’ve bought some of those owner hooks before and they are great but you only get 3 for 5 or 6 dollars. I go ebay and buy a pkg of 25 60 degree jig hooks and a pkg of those spiral springs with the pen in the middle and make my own. Much cheaper
What size hook is that owner spinner?
I can’t say I really have one. White, I guess. It’s easier to see, especially when the fish eats it.
If that’s too much for the fish, a more natural color seems to work better.
Thank you!! I catch alot on the avocado matrix shad gold spinner…i appreciate the response!!
I’ve had the most success on the white lightning, but I have also caught them on the avacrawdo and blue magic. I think the newer color ‘cobalt’ blue will work too as its colors mimic a blue crab.
Whats your favorite color matrix craw to fish this way?