How to Bait Hooks With Nightcrawlers
- 1). Select bait hooks with barbs on the shank to hold the nightcrawler. A smooth-shanked hook will allow the nightcrawler to slide down to the bend of the hook and pile up in shapeless blob. Hooks should be no smaller than a size 4 when a whole nightcrawler is used and go up in size depending on the target fish.
- 2). Tie a bait hook onto the fishing line and push the head of the nightcrawler onto the hook's point. Continue pushing the crawler's head up the hook's shank following the bend of the hook. Bring the hook's point out of the crawler's orange collar band. Work the crawler up the hook shank while stabbing the hook through every inch of the body until only an inch of tail is hanging loose.
- 3). Cast the nightcrawler out into the water and let it settle to the bottom. This is a good way to bait the hook for bottom feeders such as catfish who hunt by smell.
- 4). Rig the nightcrawler for bass by pushing the head of the crawler onto the hook's point and pushing the crawler head first up the hook's shank. Bring the hook out of the crawler's collar band and push the head further up the hook's shank. Leave the remainder of the crawler's body hanging.
- 5). Attach a plastic bobber float to the line above the baited hook and cast it out into the water. The hanging body of the crawler will wriggle around in the water attracting the bass.
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