Hookpoints–Berkley Havoc Rocket Craw

Photos and Story by Jason Duran

The Berkley Havoc Rocket Craw is a versatile bait. This bait was designed by FLW Tour pro Scott Suggs, a former Forrest Wood Cup champion. In this Hookpoints we will be Texas Rigging the Berkley Havoc Rocket Craw.

In the photo above is everything you need to setup this rig. Seen here is the Wright &McGill Skeet Reese Victory reel paired with a Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Flipping/Pitching. The Hook we have used is the TroKar TK120 Mag Worm Hook and the TroKar TK100 HD Worm Hook. The line use here is Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon in 12# test. The weight is a 3/16 Tungsten weight. Also pictured is the Berkley Havoc Rocket Craw in Black and Blue color.

Securing that hook to a strong line is important. Here we have used Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon in the 12-15# test based on your application. In the photo above you see we have started the tungsten weight on the line.

You are now read to secure the hook to the line and here we have started a Palomar Knot. It is very important to use a very sharp hook when fishing. Seen above is TroKar TK 100 which is a straight shank hook in the 4/0-5/0 size. You could also use a TroKar TK 120 Wide Gap Hook in the 4/0 -5/0 size for heaver cover applications. Each of these hooks like all TroKar hooks are surgically sharpened and consistent hook sets are achieved with less pressure. Which results in catching more fish.

Here we have completed the Palomar Knot. Do not forget to wet you knot as you synch it up. This helps lubricate the line and prevent damage to the line due to friction. This is very important especially when using fluorocarbon or monofilament line.

Here we have started the hook in to the nose of the bait making sure to start it in the center. A straight bait will help prevent line twist.

At the first bend of the hook expose the hook point out the side of the bait.

Continue to slide the bait up the hook shank all the way till the hook eye is inside the bait.

Seen above is how the Rocket Craw should look once you have the hook eye inside the nose of the bait. Now you are read to begin to insert the hook point back in to the body of the bait.

First you will want to take a measurement to see how the hook should lie inside the bait. Mark the spot with a finger and insert the hook at that spot.

Now you are ready to start the hook and insert in back in to the body of the bait.

Once you insert the hook point you will want to expose it on the other side.

See here how the hook point is exposed on the other side of the bait. This will allow for better hook ups because the hook has already exposed and ready. However if you leave it like this it will also produce many snags and is not a weedless presentation.

To provide a weedless presentation, at this point we want to “Tex-pose” the hook by pulling the plastic forward and inserting the hook just under the surface of the bait.

See here how the Rocket Craw looks on the hook. Rocket Craw features cut tail-like claws that generate vibration like no other craw on the market.

The Berkley Havoc Rocket Craw is designed to be fished in and around deep and shallow cover. This bait provides great life like action and profile. Flip or Pitch the bait around heavy cover or any place bass live. You can also allow it to bounce up and down and off of cover. When a fish hits the bait just a firm hook set is needed and the TroKar hook will do the job.