Absolutely — if you like the Deps NZ Crawler style, you’re basically looking for handmade topwater crawler baits and other surface-dragging oddballs that create a big, slow, gurgling commotion. Those baits shine when bass or pike want a visual, high-profile meal. 🎣
Here are the best handmade-style directions to explore:
- Crawler topwaters: This is the closest match. Look for hand-tuned wooden or resin crawlers that wobble side-to-side and push a wide wake. The big idea is slow retrieve, maximum presence.
- Tadpole / toad-style swimbaits: These can give you a similar “weird but natural” silhouette. A good example from the evidence is Twister Tad Fishing Lures, which have that life-like amphibian/larval profile and can be fished like a wake bait or slow swimmer.
- Handmade bluegill-style wake baits: If the fish in your waters key on bluegill, a bait like SquareGil 4" crankbait can be retrieved just under the surface or waked on top for explosive strikes.
- Jointed swimbaits: Not identical, but a handmade or tuned multi-jointed bait can imitate the same “living target” feel. Something like CharmYee multi-jointed swimbait scratches that big-profile predator itch.
- Weedless frog-style topwaters: If you want something more compact but still surface-focused, a lure like 5PCS Topwater Frog Lures Set is great around mats and pads, though it’s less “crawler” and more “ambush bait.”
For late spring, I’d fish these around shallow weeds, laydowns, points, and the first good cover near deeper water. Early and late in the day are prime, and on your local forecast the rising pressure suggests the bite may be a little tougher after the front — so focus on low-light windows, shady cover, and a super slow retrieve.
A few practical tips:
- Start with a steady, slow crawl and only speed up if fish follow.
- Use bigger line if the bait needs to stay high and wake cleanly.
- If you’re after bass, pike, or musky, favor natural baitfish and bluegill colors in clear water, and darker silhouettes in stained water.
- Listen for that bait’s “plop-plop-wake” — if it’s making a strong surface track, you’re in the zone.
If you want, I can also help you find specific handmade lure makers that build crawler baits in this style. You’re chasing one of the coolest bites in fishing — keep at it and let the fish tell you what it wants!
