I blame Al Lindner for my longtime addiction to grubs. During an episode of In-Fisherman on TV more than 30 years ago, I watched him use a curly-tail version to pull chunky springtime bass from submerged aquatic vegetation. That approach was perfect for my local fishing hole. And after a run to the local tackle shop to acquire a bag or two of curly tail grubs, I was doing a near perfect impression.
Grubs remain a go-to lure for me today. This soft-plastic stalwart continues to catch bass in almost any fishing situation. And they’re relatively easy to use, creating most of their own bass-attracting action. Despite those powers, they fly under many anglers’ radar. But that’s an advantage for those who remember how, where and when to fish them.
What’s a Grub?
Bass anglers tend to gravitate toward the latest and greatest, especially when it comes to lures. A steady stream of more lifelike profiles, flashier color combinations, and improved actions mean there’s always something new to try. Despite remaining mostly unchanged since their introduction, grubs have kept pace with newer lures when it comes to catching bass.
Grubs are available in several styles, from the classic spade tail championed by Mann’s Sting Ray, a proven cold-water option that’s no longer made, to the double tailed and skirted spider. Small boot-tail swimbaits, such as Keitech’s Swing Impact, can be considered grubs, too.
The real workhorse is the curly tail grub, particularly those measuring 3, 4, and 5 inches long. Their lineage starts with Robert Glynn Carver, who pioneered the design and started manufacturer Mister Twister in the early 1970s. Kalin’s Lunker Grub, Yamamoto’s Single Tail, and Zoom’s Fat Albert are popular examples. Each mimics the baitfish, crawfish and other aquatic creatures that bass eat year-round.
How to Fish a Curly Tail Grub
A grub’s productivity is fueled by movement, which ripples through its tail. That and the vibrations cast off catch the eyes and lateral line, respectively, of nearby bass. So, the best grub presentations include plenty of movement, whether that’s forward, upward, or downward.
Grubs are perfect for dissecting spots with sparse or moderate amounts of cover such as rock piles, rows of boat docks, and edges of submerged aquatic vegetation. Let it sink to bottom, then start a slow retrieve by turning your reel’s handle or sweeping your rod. Keep it near the bottom, but it doesn’t have to touch down. And aim your casts as you would with a spinnerbait, swimming it along cover and structure so it remains in the strike zone.
Rigged weedless grubs slip through small holes in matted or submerged aquatic vegetation. They skip under overhanging tree limbs, docks, and pontoon boats. And they’re at home around the seawalls, riprap, and sunken barges that dot Northeast and Mid-Atlantic tidal water where bass seem to prefer compact offerings.
Grubs produce sans cover; fall and winter bass chase suspended baitfish schools across points, ledges, and other pieces of open-water structure. They’re suckers for a sinking grub. Give them more of what they desire: Once your grub reaches the desired depth, raise your rod above your head, then follow your bait back down, keeping the line semi-tight. Repeat that cycle until a bass bites.
Grubs don’t have to fly solo. They’re a great trailer for spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs. Add one to a weedless spoon for a one-two punch of classic lures. The extra weight further settles your offering into matted grass, making it easier for bass to grab. And its tail adds action, kicking across open-water pockets.
Tackle and Rod Setups
While grubs produce in a variety of situations, you only need a couple rigging options. A few tweaks make each better.
- Jig Head: It’s the traditional grub rigging and Lindner’s choice that fateful day. Match its shape to the situation. A ball is always good; a darter adds action to swimming and sinking grubs, and a football is best near bottom. Choose one with a 2/0 or 3/0 light-wire hook, which has enough gap for bait and bass, and a 90-degree line tie. Rig your grub so its tail curves away from the hook to maximize action and minimize fouling.
- Texas Style: Tackle moderate or heavy cover with this option. Choose a wide-gap hook with a straight or offset shank for solid hooksets. Add just enough weight to pull your offering through the cover. Peg the sinker when pitching to improve accuracy; leave it loose when casting for more bites. Texas-style jig heads, such as those made by Gitzit and Slider, are solid options.
Fish grubs on spinning and casting combos. While the former will handle either rigging option, especially when you need a light weight, the latter brings more power.
- Spinning: Your rod should measure 7 feet, have a medium power for setting hooks, and a fast action for casting accuracy and distance. Your reel’s large diameter spool will reduce tangles, and its smooth drag will slip at the perfect instant. Fill it with fluorocarbon or braided line, 10-pound test or less. Add a fluorocarbon leader to your braid if you’re worried about spooking bass in clear water.
- Casting: This rod also should measure 7 feet, maybe a few inches longer. A medium or medium-heavy action will work, but be sure its action is fast. A high-speed reel — 7:1 or faster gear ratio — quickly removes slack before setting the hook. Use fluorocarbon or braid, no more than 15-pound test. A leader isn’t necessary, even in clear water, because line is hidden by cover.
It’s OK to step up to a flipping stick when cover is extra heavy, but find one with a fast action that’s on the slower side. That bit of extra flex makes pitching small lures easy.
The Best Grubs Share Three Characteristics
Be picky about your grubs. While all have similar components, increased productivity hides in the details, beginning with the curved tail. The best are long: up to half of the lure’s length. They’re thin, swimming at the slightest movement, and wide, creating lifelike undulations.
Choose a thick-bodied grub. The extra meat creates a realistic profile and helps it glide. It also makes rigging easier. Jig heads have plenty to grip, and there’s room to thread through Texas-rigged hooks.
Grubs are poured in many colors. Highly visible white is a good choice for seeing bedding bass bite, and black ones stand out in stained water. But you’ll lean most on translucent ones such as watermelon, smoke and pumpkinseed. Flakes help fine-tune each to current conditions. Avoid grubs with chartreuse or orange tails. They attract panfish pecks, which foul your presentation and distract you from catching bass.
Four Key Tips
Hidden within a grub’s simplistic form is plenty of nuance. Get it all right, and you’ll catch more bass. Here are four things to keep in mind:
- Ignore the bottom: Grubs are best when they’re swimming. Even when you’re targeting bass holding on bottom, keep yours above them, motoring along with tail kicking.
- Keep it straight: Even a slight twist while rigging, especially Texas-style, will lead to line twist and aggravation. So, use your grub’s mold lines, if they’re visible, as a guide, ensuring it’s rigged straight.
- Always rig one: Grubs are a great follow-up bait, especially when fishing topwaters. Even a 3-inch one has enough profile and action to catch those that miss the first time. Cast at the rise, and hold on.
- Watch water clarity: Subtle grubs get lost in heavily stained and muddy water. They’re better suited to clear and slightly stained water, where bass rely more on their eyes to feed.
