How to Successfully Hook a Nightcrawler to Catch More Fish
Night crawlers are the old standby in fishing bait. More fish have been caught using them than any other live bait, but they have to be hooked correctly in order to maximize fishing success. When hooked right, the worm will hang straight and wiggle around in the water, looking like a fish's natural prey.
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Instructions
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Walleye Method
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1
Hold the hook between them thumb and forefinger of one hand and hold the night crawler near its head in your other.
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2
Insert the hook 1/4 inch from the tip of the worm's head. Run it straight through and out the other side.
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3
Check that you've done this correctly: The worm should hang straight when you hold the line up to inspect it.
Bass Method
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4
Hold the night crawler close to its head between your thumb and forefinger and turn it toward you.
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5
With your other hand take the point of the hook and insert it into the tip of the head of the worm.
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6
Thread the hook through the worm until you have most of the hook inside it.
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7
Visually inspect to judge where you should push the tip of the hook out. Pick a spot to exit so that the worm will hang straight.
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8
Hold the line in one hand in front of you and visually inspect the worm to see if there is a bend in it. If you see a bend, take the worm off and start over again.
Bluegill Method
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9
Take a night crawler and break it into three small pieces. Larger night crawlers might have to be broken into more.
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10
Take a piece and thread it onto a small hook.
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Visually inspect the threaded worm. The hook should be covered from eye to barb. If there is a small piece of worm hanging off of the barb, don't worry about it. If there is a large piece, pull it off.
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Tips & Warnings
Look at the night crawlers at the bait store before you purchase them. They should be plump and lively.
Use smaller hooks when fishing for bluegill.
