Creature Baits

Why Buy the Yamamoto Nuki Bug?

Built on the DNA of the wildly popular Yamatanuki, the Yamamoto Nuki Bug takes the power-finesse concept and adds a whole new level of lifelike movement. Two flanged claws and six legs create a constant, quivering action that bass simply can't ignore — whether it's falling through the water column or sitting on the bottom twitching in place. At 3.5", it's the ideal finesse size for clear water, pressured fish, and situations where a smaller, more natural profile gets more bites. 6 per pack at $7.19.

Main Use & Benefit

A 3.5-inch finesse creature bait designed for lifelike crawfish and aquatic insect imitation — its two flanged claws and six legs produce constant, quivering action that triggers strikes on weightless EWG, jig trailer, Ned rig, and finesse flipping presentations for pressured bass in clear water.

Problem It Solves

Standard creature baits are too bulky for finesse presentations and don't produce the subtle, multi-appendage movement that triggers finicky bass in clear water. The Nuki Bug's 3.5" profile and six-leg design create constant, lifelike action at rest and on the move — looking alive even when sitting still, which is exactly when pressured bass commit.

Advantages

• ✅ Two flanged claws + six legs — maximum lifelike movement at rest and on the fall
• ✅ Built on the proven Yamatanuki platform — tournament-tested design
• ✅ 3.5" finesse profile — ideal for clear water, pressured bass, and finesse presentations
• ✅ Versatile — weightless EWG, jig trailer, Ned rig, finesse flipping
• ✅ Yamamoto premium salt-impregnated soft plastic formula — natural feel, fish hold on longer
• ✅ 8 proven color patterns matched to real crawfish and aquatic forage
• ⚠️ 6 per pack (vs. 10 for smaller craw baits) — premium bait at a premium count
• ⚠️ Finesse-focused — not designed for power fishing or heavy cover applications

When to Choose It

Reach for the Nuki Bug when bass are post-frontal and finicky, you're fishing clear or heavily pressured water, or you need a compact creature bait with maximum appendage action for weightless and finesse presentations. It's the go-to when you need more movement than a standard craw bait but a smaller profile than a full-size creature bait.

Best Fishing Techniques

• Weightless EWG — rig on a 2/0–3/0 EWG hook and swim with a subtle, natural action that perfectly mimics a small crawfish or aquatic creature; the claws and legs flutter on the fall
• Jig Trailer — pin onto a finesse jig or football jig; the flanged claws and six legs add bite-triggering secondary movement on every hop
• Ned Rig — thread onto a 3/16–1/4 oz Ned head for a stand-up presentation on hard bottom; the legs quiver naturally on the pause
• Finesse Flipping — Texas-rig on a 2/0–3/0 EWG hook and flip into sparse cover, docks, and laydowns for a compact creature presentation
• Texas Rig (Light) — 1/16–1/8 oz bullet weight for a slow-falling presentation through open water and sparse cover

Best Conditions

• Clear water (visibility 2ft+) where natural, subtle action is critical
• Post-frontal high pressure and slow-bite days
• Heavily pressured tournament lakes where bass have seen everything
• Hard bottom, rock, gravel, docks, and sparse cover
• Year-round — especially effective in spring (pre-spawn) and fall when crawfish are most active

Best For

Key Features

• Two flanged claws — flutter and kick on the fall and retrieve for maximum visual appeal
• Six legs — constant, quivering action at rest and on the move
• 3.5" finesse profile — compact creature bait for clear water and pressured bass
• Built on the Yamatanuki platform — proven tournament design
• Salt-impregnated Yamamoto formula — natural feel, fish hold on longer
• 8 proven color patterns
• 6 per pack

Models & Specs

Size: 3.5" | Count: 6 per pack | Water Type: Freshwater

Tackle Express Tips

1. Swim it slow on the EWG — The Nuki Bug's best action on a weightless EWG is a slow, steady retrieve just below the surface or through the water column. The claws and legs flutter naturally — resist the urge to twitch or jerk; let the bait do the work.
2. Match the bottom color — Green Pumpkin Black Flake (#297) and Dark Green Pumpkin / Amber Laminate are your best natural bottom-matching colors for clear water. Switch to Blue Craw in stained water or rocky environments where blue-tinted crawfish are common.
3. Trim the legs for a jig trailer — When using the Nuki Bug as a jig trailer, trim 2–3 of the legs for a more compact profile on smaller jigs (3/16–1/4 oz). Leave all six legs intact on larger football jigs for maximum action and bulk.

FAQ

Q: How does the Nuki Bug compare to the Yamatanuki?
A: The Nuki Bug is built on the Yamatanuki's proven platform but adds two flanged claws for additional flutter and visual appeal on the fall. The Nuki Bug is the more finesse-oriented option at 3.5" — ideal for clear water and pressured fish. The Yamatanuki is available in larger sizes for power-finesse and heavier cover applications.

Q: What EWG hook size works best for the Nuki Bug?
A: A 2/0 or 3/0 EWG hook works best for weightless presentations. Use a 2/0 for a more compact, subtle profile in clear water, and a 3/0 when you need better hook gap coverage for larger fish or heavier cover.

Q: Is the Nuki Bug good as a jig trailer?
A: Yes — it's one of the best finesse jig trailers in the Yamamoto lineup. The flanged claws and six legs add constant, bite-triggering secondary movement on every hop that complements the jig's action perfectly. It works especially well on finesse jigs (3/16–1/4 oz) in clear water and on football jigs over hard bottom.

The Zoom Baby Brush Hog 4" is the mid-size version of the legendary Brush Hog lineup — a 4-inch multi-appendage creature bait with flapping appendages, curly tails, and subtle legs that create lively movement on the fall and with even the slightest rod twitch. The 4-inch profile is the sweet spot of the Brush Hog family: versatile enough for Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, flipping setups, and jig trailers across a wide range of conditions, pressures, and water clarities. Made from Zoom’s soft, salty plastic that bass hold on to longer. 12 per pack in 12 colors.

Key Features

• 4" Mid-Size Profile — Versatile Sweet Spot — The Baby Brush Hog’s 4-inch size sits between the compact Tiny Brush Hog (3") and the big-bass full-size Brush Hog (6"); the 4" profile is the most versatile size in the lineup — large enough to draw strikes from big bass but compact enough to work in finesse situations, clear water, and when bass are keying on smaller forage; effective across the widest range of conditions of any size in the Brush Hog family.
• Multi-Appendage Action — Flapping Arms, Curly Tails & Subtle Legs — The flapping appendages, curly tails, and subtle legs move independently on the fall and during slow retrieves, producing lifelike action that mimics a fleeing crawfish or large insect; the multi-appendage profile displaces water from multiple directions, making the bait detectable to bass through their lateral line in both clear and stained water.
• Salty Zoom Plastic — Natural Feel, Longer Hold — Made from Zoom’s soft, salt-impregnated plastic; the salt taste triggers a natural hold response that keeps bass on the bait longer, giving you more time to detect the bite and set the hook through cover.
• Versatile Rig Compatibility — Effective on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, flipping rigs, and as a jig trailer on flipping and casting jigs; the 4" profile fits a wide range of hook sizes and jig styles; also effective on a shaky head and drop shot for finesse applications.
• 12 Colors — 12 Per Pack — The widest color selection in the Brush Hog lineup with 12 colors; twelve baits per pack.

Color Selection Guide

Best For

• Texas Rig — All-Around Application — The primary application; rig on a 3/0–4/0 wide gap hook with a 3/16–1/2 oz bullet weight and fish through cover; the multi-appendage action on the fall triggers strikes from bass holding tight to structure.
• Flipping & Pitching — Pitch into heavy cover on a flipping rig; the 4" profile is large enough to draw big bass out of cover while compact enough to work in tighter cover than the full-size 6" Brush Hog.
• Carolina Rig — Open Water & Transitions — Effective on a Carolina rig for covering open water, points, and transition areas; the multi-appendage action on a long leader produces a natural, drifting presentation that triggers strikes from roaming bass.
• Jig Trailer — Thread on the back of a flipping or casting jig for a full-profile craw presentation with active appendage action.

The Zoom Brush Hog 6" is one of the most trusted creature baits in bass fishing — a multi-appendage design with fluttering appendages, subtle legs, and a compact body that moves naturally on the fall and comes alive with even the slightest rod tip shake. The 6-inch size is the big-bass version, built for targeting larger fish and fishing in heavy cover where a full-profile creature bait draws strikes that smaller baits can’t. Made from Zoom’s soft, salty plastic that bass hold on to longer. 8 per pack.

Key Features

• Multi-Appendage Design — Maximum Movement & Water Displacement — The Brush Hog’s multiple fluttering appendages and subtle legs produce movement and water displacement from every angle on the fall and during the retrieve; each appendage moves independently, creating a chaotic, lifelike action that mimics a fleeing crawfish or large insect; the multi-appendage profile pushes more water than a single-tail or twin-tail creature bait, making it detectable to bass through their lateral line in both clear and stained water.
• 6" Big-Bass Profile — The 6-inch size is the larger version of the Brush Hog lineup, designed for targeting big bass that are keying on larger prey; the full 6" profile is most effective in heavy cover (matted vegetation, laydowns, dock pilings) where big bass are holding and a larger bait is needed to draw them out; also effective for punching through matted vegetation where the bulk of the 6" body carries the bait through the mat.
• Zoom Salty Plastic — Natural Feel, Longer Hold — Made from Zoom’s soft, salt-impregnated plastic; the salt taste triggers a natural hold response that keeps bass on the bait longer, giving you more time to detect the bite and set the hook through heavy cover; the soft plastic also compresses naturally on the hookset for better hook penetration.
• Versatile Rig Compatibility — Effective on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, flipping rigs, and punching rigs; the compact body threads easily onto a wide hook and the appendages remain active regardless of rig configuration; also effective as a jig trailer on large flipping jigs for a full-profile craw presentation.
• 8 Per Pack — Eight baits per pack.

Color Selection Guide

Best For

• Texas Rig — Heavy Cover — The primary application; rig the Brush Hog 6" on a 4/0–5/0 wide gap hook with a 1/4–3/4 oz bullet weight and fish through heavy cover; the multi-appendage action on the fall triggers strikes from bass holding tight to structure.
• Flipping & Pitching — Pitch the Brush Hog 6" into heavy cover on a flipping rig; the 6" profile is large enough to draw big bass out of thick cover; use heavier weights (1/2–3/4 oz) to punch through matted vegetation.
• Carolina Rig — Open Water & Points — Effective on a Carolina rig for covering open water, points, and transition areas where bass are suspended or roaming; the multi-appendage action on a long leader produces a natural, drifting presentation that triggers strikes from bass that are not holding tight to cover.
• Jig Trailer — Thread the Brush Hog 6" on the back of a large flipping jig for a full-profile craw presentation; the appendages add bulk and action to the jig that a plain chunk trailer cannot match.

The Zoom Lizard is a proven bass creature bait built around curly legs and a curly tail that produce action with the slightest movement. Every twitch, current, or rod tip shake sets the legs and tail in motion — producing a lifelike, multi-appendage action that triggers strikes from bass on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and shaky heads. Made with Zoom’s Super Salt Plus formula for a natural feel that keeps bass holding on longer. Available in 4", 6", and 8" sizes across 19 color and size combinations.

Key Features

• Curly Legs & Tail — Action on the Slightest Movement — The Zoom Lizard’s curly legs and curly tail produce action with the slightest rod tip movement, current, or line twitch; the curly appendages flutter and pulse independently, creating a multi-directional action that mimics a live lizard or large insect moving through the water; the action is most pronounced on the fall and during slow retrieves where the curly legs and tail have time to move freely.
• Super Salt Plus Formula — Natural Feel, Longer Hold — Made with Zoom’s Super Salt Plus salt-impregnated plastic; the salt taste triggers a natural hold response that keeps bass on the bait longer, giving you more time to detect the bite and set the hook through cover.
• 3 Sizes — 4", 6" & 8" — The 4" is the finesse/all-around size for pressured fish, clear water, and lighter rigs; the 6" is the mid-size versatile option for standard Texas and Carolina rig applications; the 8" is the big-bass magnum size for targeting large bass in heavy cover and deep water on Carolina rigs and heavy Texas rigs.
• Versatile Rig Compatibility — Effective on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and shaky heads; the lizard profile is particularly effective on a Carolina rig where the long leader allows the bait to float up off the bottom and the curly legs and tail produce action on the drift.

Size & Pack Count Guide

Color Selection Guide

Best For

• Carolina Rig — Primary Application — The lizard profile is one of the most effective Carolina rig baits ever made; the long leader allows the bait to float up off the bottom and the curly legs and tail produce action on the drift; most effective on points, ledges, and transition areas where bass are roaming; use the 6" or 8" for maximum profile on a Carolina rig.
• Texas Rig — Heavy Cover — Rig on a 3/0–5/0 wide gap hook with a bullet weight and fish through heavy cover; the curly legs and tail produce action on the fall that triggers strikes from bass holding tight to structure.
• Shaky Head — Finesse Application — The 4" size on a shaky head for a finesse lizard presentation; the curly legs and tail quiver on the shake and produce action at rest, triggering strikes from pressured bass in clear water.
• Spawning Season — Bed Fishing — Lizard-style baits are one of the most effective bed fishing presentations; bass are highly aggressive toward lizards during the spawn because lizards are natural nest predators; the curly legs and tail action on a slow presentation over the bed triggers defensive strikes from bass protecting their nest.

The Zoom Tiny Brush Hog 3" packs the proven multi-appendage action of the full-size Brush Hog into a compact 3-inch profile built for finesse presentations, pressured fish, and clear-water conditions. Fluttering arms, curly tails, and subtle legs move naturally with the slightest current or rod tip movement — producing lifelike action on the fall and during slow retrieves that triggers strikes from bass that won’t commit to a larger bait. Made from Zoom’s soft, salty plastic that bass hold on to longer. 15 per pack.

Key Features

• Compact 3" Finesse Profile — Downsized Brush Hog Action — The Tiny Brush Hog delivers the same proven multi-appendage action as the full-size Brush Hog in a 3-inch profile sized for finesse presentations; the compact size is most effective when bass are pressured, in clear water, or keying on smaller forage and won’t commit to a larger creature bait; the 3" profile also fits smaller hook gaps for finesse jig heads and light wire hooks used in finesse applications.
• Multi-Appendage Action — Fluttering Arms, Curly Tails & Subtle Legs — The fluttering arms, curly tails, and subtle legs move independently with the slightest current or rod tip movement, producing lifelike action on the fall and during slow retrieves; the multi-appendage profile displaces water from multiple directions, making the bait detectable to bass through their lateral line even in clear water where visual detection is primary.
• Salty Zoom Plastic — Natural Feel, Longer Hold — Made from Zoom’s soft, salt-impregnated plastic; the salt taste triggers a natural hold response that keeps bass on the bait longer, giving you more time to detect the subtle bites that finesse presentations produce.
• Versatile Finesse Rig Compatibility — Effective on light Texas rigs, finesse Carolina rigs, shaky heads, Ned rigs, and drop shots; the compact 3" profile fits a wide range of finesse hook sizes and jig head weights; also effective as a small jig trailer on finesse jigs.
• 15 Per Pack — Fifteen baits per pack.

Color Selection Guide

Best For

• Shaky Head & Ned Rig — Finesse Bottom Fishing — Thread the Tiny Brush Hog on a shaky head or Ned rig jig head and work slowly along the bottom; the multi-appendage action produces movement on the shake and on the fall that triggers strikes from pressured bass; most effective in clear water and post-frontal conditions when bass are finicky.
• Drop Shot — Effective on a drop shot for suspending the Tiny Brush Hog above the bottom in the strike zone; the appendages flutter naturally on the drop shot with minimal rod movement, producing action that triggers strikes from bass that are holding tight to bottom structure.
• Light Texas Rig — Finesse Heavy Cover — Rig on a light Texas rig (1/16–1/8 oz) for a slow-falling finesse presentation through light to moderate cover; the compact 3" profile punches through cover more easily than the full-size Brush Hog while still delivering the multi-appendage action.
• Pressured Lakes & Clear Water — The primary scenario where the Tiny Brush Hog outperforms the full-size version; when bass have seen every large creature bait in the lake, downsizing to the 3" Tiny Brush Hog with a finesse presentation triggers.