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Learn More »Berkley Powerbait Crabby Lure: A Proven Soft Plastic for Aussie Estuaries
Every estuary angler knows that fish like bream and flathead love eating small crabs, but imitating them effectively with a lure can be a challenge. The Berkley Powerbait Crabby is the purpose-built solution, designed to perfectly mimic the subtle, natural movements of a crab to trigger aggressive strikes from wary, structure-hugging fish.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"I've been in the fishing trade for over two decades, running my tackle shop, and I've seen a lot of crab baits come and go, but let me tell you, the original Gulp Crabby? That soft bait was legendary! The new Powerbait model, while still a soft bait, is more durable than the old Gulp. It's a ripper of a plastic lure to fish around oyster leases, particularly on a run-out tide when the bream are actively feeding. It's interesting to see our online sales data back this up; our NSW customers are having great success with the Swamp Gas and Camo colours, while the Black UV is a standout in South Australia."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop
"I'm excited to see the Powerbait crabby on our shelves! A cracker of a lure for bream around pontoons and pylons, especially when lightly weighted. I suggest casting the lures around these sorts of structures, letting the lure flutter down. The bream typically smash it when fished these ways."
- Damo, Team Member, Fishing Tackle Shop
Why The Powerbait Crabby Gets Eaten
Pro-Tips: How to Fish The Crabby Lure
- Choose the Right Jighead Style: To get the best action, use a light jighead. Styles with a hidden weight or a "weedless" design are fantastic for achieving a natural, horizontal glide and for fishing confidently around snaggy structure.
- Master the "Skip Cast": The Crabby's flat profile makes it perfect for skipping. Use a sharp, low cast to make the lure skip across the surface, allowing you to get it deep under pontoons and overhanging mangroves where big bream hide.
- Watch Your Line for Bites: Bites on the Crabby are rarely aggressive thumps. Instead, watch your slack line intently after you cast. A subtle "tick," jump, or sideways movement in the line is often the only sign a fish has picked up the lure.
- The "Do Nothing" Retrieve: Often the best technique is the slowest. Let the lure sink to the bottom and use very small twitches or slow drags. The lure's natural action and powerful scent will do most of the work for you.
Technical Specifications & Model Selection Guide
| Model | Size | Lures Per Pack | Best For | Primary Target Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerbait Crabby 2" | 2 inch | 7 | Finesse fishing in clear water and targeting picky eaters. | Bream, Whiting, Estuary Perch, Flathead, Trout, Redfin |
| Powerbait Crabby 2.5" | 2.5 inch | 6 | A great all-rounder for covering more ground and attracting larger fish. | Bigger Bream, Flathead, Trevally, Australian Bass, Golden Perch |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best places to fish the Powerbait Crabby?
The Crabby excels in any estuary, river, or lake where fish feed on small crustaceans. It's particularly effective when cast close to man-made structures like bridge pylons, boat hulls, and pontoons, or natural structure like oyster leases and fallen trees. It is also a fantastic lure for prospecting across sand flats and weed bed edges.
What are the best colours for the Powerbait Crabby?
We stock several proven colours. For clear water, translucent patterns like Camo, Swamp Gas, and Pumpkinseed are excellent as they mimic natural prey. In dirtier water or at dawn and dusk, the solid silhouette of Black UV, Breen Chart, or Bloodworm can be more effective and easier for fish to see.
Does the Powerbait scent on the Crabby really make a difference?
Absolutely. The scent is a proven strike trigger that not only attracts fish but also makes them hold the lure in their mouth for longer. This gives you more time to detect the subtle bite and set the hook.
What's the best jighead weight to rig a Berkley Crabby on?
For the 2-inch Crabby, we recommend a 1/24oz jighead with a #2 hook. For the 2.5-inch model, a 1/16oz jighead with a #2 hook is perfect. This light weighting is key to achieving a natural, slow sink rate that mimics a real crab.
How do I stop the Crabby's claws and legs from getting bitten off by small fish?
While the Powerbait material is more durable than older formulas, it is still a soft plastic. Small "picker" fish can sometimes nip off appendages. If this is a problem, try a slightly faster retrieve to get it past the smaller fish and into the zone where bigger predators are waiting.
Ready to fool the wariest estuary fish? Choose your size and add the proven Berkley Powerbait Crabby to your cart for fast dispatch.
