A Lure That Lives Up to Its Name

"Something getting ready to transform from a bumblebee to a bird, ready to take off"--that's one way I've seen the Heddon Crazy Crawler described. First introduced in 1940, this lure's unique shape and metal wings are a throwback to the earlier days of bass fishing, when many of the unorthodox topwater lures were manufactured.

The Crazy Crawler originally was designed by New Jersey lure builder Jim Donaly. Complete with the standard "Donaly" clip, used to hold the wings on the side, it first was made of wood. Around 1939, Heddon bought the patent from Donaly Lure Company.

Available in both 1/4- and 5/8-oz. models, this legendary topwater lure has an action that is hard to describe. The perfectly tuned metal wings dip and dive while grabbing a wing full of water, leaving a trail of bubbles behind as the lure is retrieved.

Unlike a lot of other lures that require an angler to master the skill of using it, the Crazy Crawler requires absolutely no skill. You simply reel it fast enough to make the lure splash from one side to the other. Reel it too slowly, though, and the lure won't make the gurgling sound that attracts bass. On the other hand, if you reel it too fast, the lure hydroplanes, with no action. Anytime you can't draw a strike with a steady retrieve, try adding an occasional pause or twitch, say the experts.

Anyone who ever has fished a Crazy Crawler likely would tell you the best part of using this lure is to watch the explosive strikes that usually occur. Game fish just can't seem to resist trying to crush this bait.

While most people fish the Crazy Crawler during the daytime, savvy anglers usually wait until the sun goes down before using the lure. Their advice is to fish the lure around such areas as lighted boat docks and long, extended points. Another popular place is a pond--not surprising, since the swimming action of the Crazy Crawler resembles a frog. It can be thrown out into open water or fished around grass--either can be deadly.

The most desirable Crazy Crawler to collectors is the musky model 2150, which first appeared in 1940. It only was made for a short while before going out of production, then came back for another brief period in 1950. These lures have a value range of $75 to $150, depending on color. Another rare model is the model 2120 chipmunk Crazy Crawler, again first introduced in 1940. Newer plastic Crazy Crawlers have a collector value ranging from $10 to $20, and, again, color makes a difference in the value.

At age 75, there's no denying this lure has withstood the test of time. It also seems a pretty safe bet that everyone will agree no more idiot-proof lure ever has existed.