|
Creature Fever: Getting serious with the Power Team Diesel
Craw
| Date: |
2/6/13 |
| Tackle type: |
Lure |
| Manufacturer: |
Power Team |
| Reviewer: |
Wolbugger |
Total Score: 7.41 -
GOOD
Introduction:
While
certainly not one of the largest bait manufacturers out there, relative newcomer
Power Team Lures makes a modest range of quality plastics from drop shot worms
to bulky creature baits. Keeping up with our ongoing Creature Fever theme, we
decided to get our hands on some of their premier craw imitations, the 4” Diesel
craws. TackleTour first visited Power Team Lures at ICAST 2010, where owners
Katie and Bob Bernotsky showcased several unique baits. It was obvious that
these were not just run of the mill plastics, and that each bait was well
thought out and exhibited some unique characteristics. With a colossal array of
crawdad imitation plastics on the market, does the Diesel Craw have what it
takes to run over the competition?
|
Power
Team
Diesel
Craw
Specifications |
|
Type |
Creature
Bait |
|
Material |
Soft Plastic |
|
Depth |
0 ft |
|
Size |
4"
|
|
Colors/Patterns |
10 |
|
MSRP |
$6.99
(6 per pack) |
The Diesel Craw comes packaged in a large plastic bag with resealable enclosure.
Impressions:
Available in just a 4 inch size with 10 colors to choose from, the Power Team
Diesel Craw has big fish written all over it. Though only 4 inches, it's chunky
profile gives it a noticeable presence. This is not a bait that will pass near
a Bass and go unnoticed!
Something that
makes these craws unique is simply what they are made out of. Power Team uses a
neutral buoyancy plastic that helps lift the bait off the bottom, supposedly
creating a fluid, lifelike action. Don't think that the plastic is just dry and
hard either. It exhibits a moderate softness, and is infused with crawdad
scent, garlic, and salt. Upon opening the bag, your nose will have no trouble
smelling these. The baits are also quite oily. You'll definitely need a towel
after rigging one up!
These baits are loaded with scent and will give you slick
fingers.
As mentioned,
these are full bodied baits. On one end of the craw, you'll find a built in
plastic skirt, similar to what a twin tail spider jig features. This adds to
the action of the bait, as well as the bulk. With the added skirt mass, it
helps the bait displace more water and get intercepted even easier in dirty
water.
Moving down the
bait, the back is relatively smooth with just a hint of detail. On the
underside, the belly features deep grooves designed to create air bubbles under
water for added appeal. The grooves also give the craw a more lifelike texture,
likely tantalizing a Bass to hold onto the bait just a tad longer. At the other
end of Diesel Craw, lifelike claws and a set of antennas completes the package.
The claws come attached to an extra piece of plastic, likely to
keep them from being bent and mangled. Carefully break the head and claws from
this piece, and start fishing!
Real World
Tests:
Testing mostly took place on lakes and ponds in southwest Florida. Due to the
weedy nature of many waterways here, the Diesel Craw spent 90% of it's time
being flipped, pitched, and even punched through some modest cover. The bait
was predominantly Texas rigged with both pegged and free sliding bullet weights,
and also spent some type on keel weighted swimbait style hooks.
The plastic strands can easily be cut off if a more streamlined bait is
preferred.
Casting:
There is really nothing major to note as far as casting goes. Since it is
somewhat of a thick bait, expect the wind to catch it a bit on the cast. Just
compensate accordingly, and you'll find it casts satisfyingly well. You won't
set distance casting records with the Diesel Craw, but it casts very much like a
standard jig and trailer combo. In actuality, it really kind of is a jig and
trailer combo just built together into one bait!
The claws feature nice detail and have an aggressive appearance.
Retrieving:
As
mentioned earlier, the plastic used has a neutral buoyancy. This causes the
claws and head to float up off the bottom in a defensive fashion. The claws are
quite animated and a shaking of the rod tip causes them to quiver enticingly.
The skirted end also undulates nicely and really makes things come alive. Any
type of current also causes the claws and skirt to come alive and pulsate.
Next
Section: Multiple retrieve options |
