Hooking a Crawler

[Down to Earth]

This may be a dumb question, but if your slow trolling a crawler along, do you prefer to hook it in the middle or on one of the ends? Thanks.

Andy

[FrontenacPike]

I prefer to go though the very tip of the crawler, turn the hook and go back through. I only leave a small amout of the hook showing. Make sure that your worm isn't all bent un-natual, you still want him in a straight line. Another little helpfull idea is try using a worm blower. Pump a little air into the tail of the worm. Hopefully this helps and you can keep the sheep away.

[bigbucks]

I just hook it straight through the dark end (the head) very close to the tip, no more than a 1/4" at the most I'd say. I also use a worm blower & generally put enough in so part of the crawler floats.

[FOOT]

Yup, hook them through the dark end and use a small hook.

Some of the old River Rats on Pepin used to tell the story that a Walleye will roll up a crawler before it swallows it. How they knew this fact and whether it's true or not God only knows.

What I've found is the smaller the hook the better the chance the Walleye won't spit the crawler back out. Make sure you use fresh crawlers. As far as blowing them up I've fished both blown up crawlers and non-blown up crawlers and it didn't seem to matter very much. All though I will admit it sounds like the thing to do since it would get the crawlers off the bottom.

Anyway good luck.

[bigbucks]

I'm guessing it may be less necessary in current, although I do know of guys that never blow them up. I think it definitely helps in weeds.

[M_komo]

Nice. Any try that gulp nightcrawler stuff? I used it a few times and love it.

Also, I always thought a straight crawler was a no-no. You want a little bend in it so it spins kinda naturally. Too much spin is very bad, but a justa little works good.