The YUM Scutter Bug

YUM Tommy-Biffle — Bass fishing pro Tommy Biffle, whose soft plastic creature bait was named after him by legendary artificial lure manufacturer Gene Larew, shows off a good-sized bass he caught on his renamed Scutter Bug.

This creature bait’s unique design allows for incredible versatility

Bass anglers are seeing an old favorite soft plastic creature bait in a new package with a new name and loving every minute of it because bass still love it, too.

It’s been like that ever since PRADCO Outdoor Brands folded the ever-popular Gene Larew Baits line of soft plastics under the umbrella of YUM Fishing Baits. Among those oldies but goldies now in the familiar YUM package are the Scutter Bug and Scutter Bug Jr., formerly sold as the Biffle Bug and Biffle Bug Jr.

A 30-year-old Hot Springs, Ark., bass angler who happens to be in the artificial lure manufacturing business has enjoyed triggering bass bites for many years with a Biffle Bug. Dustin Elder appreciates them even more now that Scutter Bugs are salt-impregnated with a touch of YUM F2 Spray Attractant coating the outside of the soft plastic body to spice them up. They have the same body and shape with about the only noticeable difference being “YUM” stamped on the tail rather than “Gene Larew.”

A big-fish bait

YUM unveiled its new soft plastics line, including the Scutter Bugs, at ICAST 2025 in Orlando, Fla. The recent acquisition strengthens the YUM brand, Elder said, and provides retailers with a broader selection of proven producers as YUM Fishing Baits. And it does produce, he said emphatically.

“I can tell you it’s a big-fish bait — not really one I’ve always caught a bunch of fish on — I think because of its flipping legs,” Elder said.

He also likes the way it glides as it falls with its tell-tale long, flat tail that triggers aggressive strikes from larger bass.

The legendary shape of the Gene Larew Biffle Bug will be produced by YUM, which showed its version of the transition at ICAST.

Elder, who has been with PRADCO Outdoor Brands eight years, said he usually fishes the Scutter Bug on a hard head such as the YUM Hardhead Jighead. But many bass anglers have enjoyed as much or more success using the creature bait Texas-rigged or Carolina-rigged, he said.

“I like to throw it out like a crankbait, let it sink down and slowly reel it back,” he said.

Unique features

The Scutter Bug is 4.5 inches long while the Scutter Bug Jr. is 3.5 inches long. Examine Scutter Bugs closely and you’ll see a few interesting features, including a scent pouch that also can be stuffed with a rattle or foam to make it float. Elder said the Scutter Bugs’ hollow, ribbed body feels natural when fish bite. The overall profile is compact but can be slimmed down even more to punch vegetation and enhance the glide by pinching off the two “kicking legs.”

Scutter Bugs are being released in their original Gene Larew Baits favorite colors such as green pumpkin, black/blue and black/neon, Elder said, plus others in popular YUM colors like Bama Bug, June bug/red flake, watermelon/candy and bream. Threadfin shad-colored Scutter Bugs really are deadly when used as a buzz bait trailer, he said.

Adding the Gene Larew Baits was a good move for the company and bass anglers, according to Chad Warner, PRADCO-Fishing vice president of brand management.

“Closing out a brand is never easy, but financially it was the best decision,” Warner said. “We have taken the most successful shapes and terminal pieces and put those under the YUM brand.

“Those shapes and terminal choices complement that brand extremely well and from a price point perspective, it’s a win for the consumer!”

For more information on the Scutter Bug, Scutter Bug Jr. and other YUM Fishing Baits products, call (479) 782-8971 or go to www.lurenet.com.

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