Want to Catch More Summer Smallmouth?Present Hellgrammites!!
Are Hellgrammite Presentations Now Replacing Craw Imitators?
Welcome, everyone. Today, we'll explore the fascinating world of Hellgrammites, the larval stage of dobsonflies that are taking the professional angling ranks by storm these days. We'll cover their species and subspecies, local ranges, life cycle, and behaviors throughout the year in river systems.
🐟What the heck are Hellgrammites?
✨Should we be treating Hellgrammites like Crayfish forage for Smallmouth?
🎣What baits are out that there today that are true Hellgrammite-Imitators?
What Are Hellgrammites?
Hellgrammites are the aquatic larvae of dobsonflies, belonging to the family Corydalidae. They are known for their large size, predatory nature, and importance in freshwater ecosystems. Anglers often prize them as bait due to their effectiveness in attracting fish like Smallmouth Bass.
Intro:
Species and Subspecies of Hellgrammites
There are several species of Hellgrammites found across North America. The two most well-known species are:
Corydalus cornutus (Eastern Dobsonfly):
Found in eastern North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
Larvae are commonly found in streams and rivers with rocky substrates.
Corydalus texanus (Western Dobsonfly):
Found in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico.
Prefers similar habitats to C. cornutus but is adapted to slightly warmer and drier climates.
Local Ranges of Hellgrammites
Let's look at the local ranges of these species:
Corydalus cornutus:
Eastern U.S., particularly abundant in the Appalachian region, Midwest, and parts of the Southeast.
Corydalus texanus:
Found in the southwestern U.S., including Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Both species are sensitive to pollution and are typically found in clean, well-oxygenated waters.
Life Cycle of Hellgrammites
The life cycle of Hellgrammites involves several stages:
Egg Stage:
Eggs are laid in clusters on vegetation or rocks above water.
Hatching occurs within a few weeks.
Larval Stage (Hellgrammite):
This stage lasts 1-3 years.
Larvae are predatory, feeding on small aquatic invertebrates.
They remain in the benthic zone, hiding under rocks and debris.
Pupal Stage:
Larvae leave the water to pupate in moist soil or leaf litter near the stream.
The pupal stage lasts several weeks to months.
Adult Stage (Dobsonfly):
Adults are short-lived, living only a few days to a week.
They mate and lay eggs, completing the life cycle.
Seasonal Behaviors of Hellgrammites
Hellgrammites exhibit different behaviors throughout the year:
Spring:
Increased feeding activity as water temperatures rise.
Growth and development accelerate during this period.
Summer:
Continued growth; larvae seek cooler, deeper waters during hot periods.
Predatory behavior remains high.
Fall:
Preparation for pupation begins for those nearing the end of the larval stage.
Feeding activity may decrease slightly as temperatures drop.
Winter:
Larvae become less active and may enter a state of dormancy.
They seek shelter under rocks and debris to avoid cold water temperatures.
Importance of Hellgrammites in River Systems
Hellgrammites play a crucial role in river ecosystems:
Predators: They help control populations of smaller aquatic invertebrates.
Prey: Serve as a vital food source for fish like Smallmouth Bass and other predators.
Bioindicators: Their presence indicates good water quality, as they are sensitive to pollution.
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Detailed Breakdown:
Hellgrammite: Preferred River Habitat, Local Range in North America, and Life Cycle
Preferred River Habitat and Local Range
Habitat:
Freshwater Systems: Hellgrammites, the larval stage of the dobsonfly (family Corydalidae), thrive in clean, well-oxygenated freshwater systems. They are commonly found in streams and rivers with moderate to fast currents.
Substrate: They prefer rocky or gravelly substrates, where they can hide under rocks, logs, and debris. These habitats offer protection from predators and a stable environment for feeding.
Water Quality: Hellgrammites are sensitive to pollution and require high water quality with low levels of pollutants and ample dissolved oxygen.
Geographical Range:
North America: Hellgrammites are widely distributed across North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. They are most commonly found in the eastern United States but are present in suitable habitats throughout the continent.
Life Cycle of Hellgrammites
Egg Stage:
Egg Laying: Female dobsonflies lay clusters of eggs on vegetation or rocks overhanging water. Each cluster can contain several hundred eggs.
Hatching: Eggs typically hatch within a few weeks, and the newly hatched larvae drop into the water.
Larval Stage (Hellgrammite):
Duration: The larval stage can last from 1 to 3 years, depending on environmental conditions and food availability.
Feeding: Hellgrammites are voracious predators, feeding on small aquatic insects, larvae, and other invertebrates. They use their powerful mandibles to capture and consume prey.
Habitat: During this stage, they remain in the benthic (bottom) zone of streams and rivers, hiding under rocks and debris.
Pupal Stage:
Pupation: When ready to pupate, hellgrammites leave the water and burrow into moist soil or leaf litter near the stream. They construct a pupal chamber where they transform into adults.
Duration: The pupal stage lasts for several weeks to months.
Adult Stage (Dobsonfly):
Emergence: Adult dobsonflies emerge from the pupal chamber and are short-lived, typically living only a few days to a week.
Mating and Egg Laying: Adults mate and lay eggs, starting the life cycle anew.
Why Smallmouth Bass Consider Hellgrammites a Food Resource
Nutritional Value:
High Protein Content: Hellgrammites are rich in protein, making them an excellent food source for Smallmouth Bass, which require high protein intake for growth and energy.
Caloric Density: They provide a high caloric value, which is beneficial for Smallmouth Bass, especially during periods of rapid growth or recovery post-spawn.
Abundance and Availability:
Common Prey: In suitable habitats, hellgrammites are abundant and readily available, making them a consistent food source for Smallmouth Bass.
Size: Their relatively large size compared to other aquatic invertebrates makes them an appealing and energy-efficient prey item.
Behavior and Movement:
Vulnerable to Predation: Hellgrammites often hide under rocks and debris, but their movements and feeding behavior can expose them to predation. Smallmouth Bass, with their keen sense of sight and opportunistic feeding behavior, can easily detect and capture hellgrammites.
Active Foraging: Smallmouth Bass are active foragers and use their habitat effectively to locate prey. The predatory behavior of hellgrammites, which brings them out of hiding to hunt, increases their exposure to bass.
Feeding Strategy of Smallmouth Bass:
Ambush Predators: Smallmouth Bass are ambush predators that take advantage of their habitat to surprise prey. The movement of hellgrammites makes them easy targets for a quick strike.
Varied Diet: Smallmouth Bass have a varied diet and will consume a wide range of prey. The presence of hellgrammites in their habitat provides an additional and valuable food resource that they readily exploit.
Bringing it all together….
Hellgrammites, the larval stage of dobsonflies, are found in clean, well-oxygenated rivers and streams with rocky substrates across North America. Their life cycle includes egg, larval (hellgrammite), pupal, and adult stages, with the larval stage lasting 1 to 3 years. Smallmouth Bass consider hellgrammites an important food resource due to their high nutritional value, abundance, and ease of capture. The feeding behavior and habitat preferences of hellgrammites make them a readily available and energy-rich prey for Smallmouth Bass in river systems.
We have seen a recent transition in the fishing industry the last few years in terms of marketing products to smaller, finesse style presentations typically soft plastics and while the crawdad imitator segment is still the largest in terms of bottom dwelling forage species, Hellgrammite products are quickly growing and very well may surplant segments like the Goby for example in the years to come in sales.
With ICAST 2024, the trade show for fishing tackle and industry dealers, down in Florida beginning July 15 what will be on full display is the direction the industry is headed and many believe it will be toward smaller, finesse baits and more BFS- Bait Finesse System offerings or offerings that are centric to FFS-Forward Facing Sonar or Livescope screen fishing applications where anglers seek to put baits right on the head of bass.
Finesse is of course nothing new to Smallie Chasers. Whether fishing a tube, Ned Rig, drop shot or jig, Chasers have been fishing finesse style presentations for decades now but the evolution of technology like Livescope has begun to elevate the style of fishing to new levels. We can fully expect to see a host of new bait offerings at ICAST next week and many will be coming from Japan as well as rumored new Rapala Crush City offerings.
As it stands there are quite a few baits building momentum nationally from producers like Great Lakes Finesse, Case, Netbait, YUM, Nikko, Raid Japan but we are also seeing some regional producers create awesome Hellgrammite style baits like Snagler Tackle and River Rock Custom Tackle.
The above 2.4inch Juice Hellgrammite is actually starting to catch alot more attention at the elite level rivaling the Nikko line-up. The Nikko Zaza Hellgrammite come available in 15 color options and is a versatile bait providing lifelike action to attract fish effectively especially during the summer:
Case Soft Plastics is another Smallie catcher and for the money is a hard one to beat. Case Plastics Lil Hellgrammites (8 colors) for example feature a soft, plastic body that gives the appearance of a living little hellgrammite. This action of lifelike imitation of bottom dwelling hellgrammites. They can easily be presented with finesse techniques on your favorite rig. I have been presenting them this summer on a 1st Gen Fishing Jawdropper with great success on the New River and Upper Potomac.
The Lil Hellgrammite comes in at 2 inches but its sibling the the Large Hellgrammite comes in ten color variations and 3.25 inches.
The Eurotackle Micro Finesse Hellgrammite may be one of the smallest coming in at 1.8 inches and is scented with S-Pheromone. This size can be highly effective when the river levels during summer are way down and the Smallies are being very particular.
Though most are not really familiar with the YUM version of the Hellgrammite compared to so many of its other soft plastics, YUM has quite a few offerings in this segment to consider. YUM’s version comes in at 3 inches and its most effectively presented during summer on a Ned Rig.
Now in keeping with our FISH DIFFERENT philosophy and carrying baits in the tackle shop that we believe our Smallmouth just have not been conditioned to yet lets talk about more of the JDM baits of the custom offerings that everyone should be stocking up in their arsenal Hellgrammite box.
When many people stop by and see me or check out some of the baits that I typically bring on fishing trip for Smallies most are surprised by the baits I bring and most times have never seen them or even heard of them. Just as our Smallies are conditioned to baits so to are we as anglers. My philosophy is if anglers are unaware of many of the baits I have in my arsenal so to will be the Smallmouth and this how you can FISH DIFFERENT out on the water from other anglers especially if you are an avid tournament angler.
Raid Japan offers something of a spin on the Hellgrammite style baits with its Avi. We are about to see tremendous growth in the Japanese influence in soft plastics as more gain distribution in North America. The Avi is more “bug” than hellgrammite but plays on the same theme with 35mm and 50mm sizes. Obviously the smaller you go the more finesse the presentation becomes.
If you become a Premium Subscriber to this newsletter you are sure to get yourself a Raid of Japan bait at some point during the monthly drops to subscribers because we love the action of these baits as well as the durability.
You will likely see the Raid of Japan “Two Way” line up make more news this summer in the professional ranks as more Pro’s are using these baits. The line up has the Big, Little, Magnum and Miro variations of the bait to cover just about any fishery. These are certainly some catch ready baits for summer Smallmouth and frankly the bass simply have just not seen these kinds of baits. Rigging simply with a jig head wacky, Smallies will react quickly to the falling bait. A small nail weight can also change the action and fall rates quite a bit for when you want to go true finesse without a jighead and change things up.
Another brand you will hear more about as a direct result of recent wins on the professional tournament series is O.S.P. Many many be familiar after some recent wins the last two season by the Japanese pros of the “Cube” style finesse baits but one of equal impact is the 1.5 inch HP Bug. Versatile bait offering multiple presentation options like Nikko, Carolina, Drop shot, weightless or jig head.
Let’s talk CUSTOM-
Start first with River Rock Custom Baits in Virginia. One of the most effective baits anyone can throw in the Shenandoah River watershed is a Hellgrammite and the folks at River Rock Custom have two offerings of this style. The first is the 2 inch and 3.5 inch Helgripede sizes and the other is a massive 4.5.
Now to be honest my favorite bait from River Rock Custom by far probably is as close to this category as any and is their Stone Cat. The Stone Cat is a bait that I switch to when I have identified Smallmouth feeding on the Hellgrammite baits and I am chasing a bigger size bite. The Stone Cat comes in at 5 inches. I prefer the Bluntnose Shiner. Back to the Hellgripedes. Here is one of my favorite color patterns for the region: (Amber Smash)
Now my favorite though or at least one of the brands I have the most experience utilizing is Snagler Tackle. While I lean more towards John’s Tubes and Spinnerbaits for the Susquehanna River, his Hellgrammites are hard to beat and the variety far outweighs many of the other brands in my opinion. John has 3 inch and 4.5 sizes and also a baits called the Leggy Nymph and Medusa Ned that are absolutely presentations with finesse that most of your Smallmouth have never seen before. Again FISH DIFFERENT. We hope to inventory all of these varieties from Snagler Tackle if possible because we have that much confidence in them.
Look for the “fire tip “ variation in the Hellgrammites.
Now for the Leggy Nymph and Medusa Ned:
I would recommend beginning with natural colors or black if you are not utilizing Hellgrammite imitators. I prefer the smaller size typically. Some of the brands width of the bait are somewhat bigger than others so keep this in mind when determining the hook size or jig head you may plan to use with them. Also make sure whether your Hellgrammite will float or not so you know the buoyancy ratio of the bait when your are presenting it.
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