Scuppernong Soft Plastics
While I’m not an expert in bass fishing history, I’m old enough to remember some things about the sport that have become inexplicably forgotten or passe. I recognize that some of you younger readers may consider “Morning Dawn” or “Aaron’s Magic” to be OG colors, but they’re not. During my childhood, the “grape” patterns were a big deal, not just the classic “black grape” but also lesser known shades like Scuppernong.
If the name Scuppernong rings a bell, you’re like either a North Carolinian – it’s the state fruit – or a past reader of Bassmaster’s Harry and Charlie, where the boys flung big Scuppernong Jelly Worms with their trusty round baitcasting reels and pistol grip broomstick rods. Today Mann’s, originator of the Jelly Worm, seems to be in something of a tailspin, and it’s hard to find any of their products in this pattern except on eBay, but fortunately a handful of other manufacturers have picked up the ball and run with it.
Zoom and Other US Scuppernongs
Zoom Bait Company, based in Georgia, which abuts North Carolina, almost certainly has the greatest number of Scuppernong variations. In addition to their original (#096) they offer Scuppernong Gold (#137), Scuppernong Red (#233), Scuppernong Copper (#265), Scuppernong Blue (#296), Scuppernong Seed (#302), Scuppernong Green (#316), Scuppernong Fire (#318), Scuppernong Royal (#319), Scuppernong Biwako (#320) and Scuppernong Candy (#326).
At Tackle Warehouse, one or more variations can be found in the following products:
If you can’t find the bait you want in the color you want, consider contacting a smaller purveyor of Zoom special runs like Dance’s Sporting Goods, Fishing Pro Tech or Aberdeen Bait and Tackle.
Zoom’s grape-flavored colors also include Grape Silver Glitter (#061), Grape Red Glitter (#063), Sour Grape (#089), Golden Grape (#258), Black Grape Pearl Blue Tail (#261) and regular old Grape (#062).
Big Bite Baits offers Scuppernong soft plastics in the B2 worm (both the 7- and 10-inch sizes) as well as the Scentsation Skinny Stick.
JDM Scuppernong Baits
Perhaps because many Japanese anglers and lure manufacturers seem to appreciate bass fishing heritage more than their American counterparts, Scuppernong shades seem to be more popular in their lineups.
Deps offers Scuppernong options in no fewer than 10 options, including the ultra-popular Cover Scat Soft Stick Bait, the Bull Flat Creature Bait and the 13” Kincoo Air Worm.
If you need a spider grub, check out Keitech’s Hyper Spider.
Here’s a new brand – Eisvogel, which offers a Scuppernong Freegel Bug.
Raid offers a bunch of Scuppernongs, including wacky-riggable Japan 2Way Wacky Creature, Battle Hog Craw and Egu Chunk.
The Japanese also extend it beyond just traditional soft plastics.
For example, the Imakatsu Javallon Swimbait 140 is available in a deep Scuppernong.
Kahara makes both Football Finesse Jigs and Round Head Finesse Jigs in Scuppernong as well. They should match up perfectly with some of the smaller trailers from Deps.
Obviously, the English-to-Japanese translators don’t always work flawlessly, so you may notice that some JDM brands call them something close. Here are a handful of options:
Other Grapes, Other Names
Scuppernong are also sometimes also referred to as "scuplin," "scufalum," "scupanon," "scupadine," "scuppernine," "scupnun," or "scufadine."
They are a subset of the Muscadine group of grapes, and several manufacturers, including Zoom, sometimes create special runs of “Muscadine” soft plastics. It’s color #217 in their catalog.
It they don’t appeal to you, remember that there are plenty of other “grape” variations that may work – including the ones that were popular multiple generations back.
