How to Hook Crawfish for Bass

Crawfish are one of the primary food items of smallmouth bass.

Although many people who target bass prefer using artificial lures to live bait, sometimes live baits land more fish. If the fish are not feeding actively because of a cold front, for example, anglers using live bait often catch more fish than those throwing artificial baits. Crawfish are one of the best live baits for bass, especially smallmouth bass. When anglers hook live baits right, they can get a lot of use out of a single crawfish.

Things You'll Need

• Hook
• Weight

Instructions

1. Rig a size 2 or 4 hook on 6- to 8-lb. monofilament fishing line. A Palomar knot is a good choice for connecting the hook to the line.

2. Crimp two split shot weights on the fishing line 10 inches from the hook.

3. Hold the crawfish upside down so you can see its tail. Insert the hook into the bottom of the tail, about 1/2 inch from the end. Push the hook up and through the tail. The crawfish should rest in the bend of the hook.

References

• BassFishingAndCatching.com: Catch And Fish Live Crawfish
• Missouri Department of Conservation: Smallmouth Bass Angling Methods

Resources

• Animated Knots by Grog: The Palomar Knot