Nightcrawlers

[Hooking]

Rookie question here so I won’t mind if someone throws a shoe at me, but what’s the prevailing opinion about fishing with a crawler or a piece of one? In my only two outings last season, I used spikes and minnows and caught my first through the ice on a minnow, but I’d figure crawlers could get some bites. I just never see any posts on using them. Thoughts?

[zcm_82]

Little nibblets of crawlers on a 1/32nd -1/64th jig have worked pretty well for me with panfish, and once in a while you get a surprise. This was on about a half inch chunk of crawler last winter.

Just make sure you keep them well insulated or they freeze solid pretty easily.

[Hooking]

Nice! Yeah, I figured the freeze time is faster than the fattier maggots, so that makes sense. Appreciate the jig size suggestions.

[zcm_82]

I don't imagine the jig size is that important. I just tend to run small hooks so I don't get my bait swiped by dinks. I'm just out for fun, so I don't mind catching them, too. 😁

[PIKE FISHERMAN]

I can’t catch just about any fish in Maine with a Nightcrawler! Crappie, Perch, Pike, Trout etc. I use either 1/16 or 1/8oz jig. I like crawlers because you can use a small chunk, or a big section. Cheap and easy to find also

[zcm_82]

I can’t catch just about any fish in Maine with a Nightcrawler! Crappie, Perch, Pike, Trout etc. I use either 1/16 or 1/8oz jig. I like crawlers because you can use a small chunk, or a big section. Cheap and easy to find also

Same here. I do the majority of my summer fishing on rivers with crawlers that I pick from my yard. It's hard to beat free, effective bait.

[BR1]

My thoughts have always been bring mealworms, crawlers, shiners and trout dough/power bait. I fish tip ups and jig as well. If I use a different bait on different rigs I can dial in on what they hit for the particular day and then adjust when they bite.
FYI - i like the bait pucks and mealworms will last better than a month in fridge so they are on hand.
Good luck!
Please post good results so we can hear.

[Hooking]

BR1, thanks! Good luck this season!

[Velcro]

I've had good luck with nightcrawlers on my wind tipups, not as good as shiners but not bad. Mostly pickerel but bullheads too. The hardest part is keeping them from freezing, I take them out of an insulated bag, hook them fast and drop them in the water quick!