5 Effective Ways to Rig a Nightcrawler

There are hundreds of lures out in the market today. Different types of spoons, jigs, and spinners each have their own variations used for specific fish, environment, and even weather. All this goes to show that live bait lures are still king. At the end of the day, artificial lures serve to mimic live bait as much as possible and have long since been effective in catching the attention of fish in the area. Of course, one of the big reasons for its effectiveness is the sense of familiarity brought about by enticing fish with the food it regularly eats. No fish will turn down actual food dangling in front of its eyes, unlike artificial lures. Regardless, there are still some drawbacks to using live bait such as being able to use only once, compared to artificial lures. It is a lot of times more practical, especially on long fishing trips. 

When it comes to using live bait for fishing, nightcrawlers are popular among anglers. They’re effective on both bass (smallmouth and largemouth) and trout (rainbow and lake), two of the most common and sought-after fish in the United States. They are also effective when catfishing. As effective as they are in catching fish, there are also a variety of ways to use them as bait, not just the classic hook and bait set up. Here are some of the ways anglers can use nightcrawlers as bait.

Ways on How to Rig a Nightcrawler

1. Crawler Harness/ Trolling

Trolling is one of the most efficient ways to fish. The technique uses multiple rods and lines, while slowly drifting across the water in order to mimic a school of bait fish. Rods can be placed either on the rear end or on the top of the boat. When trolling, most anglers recommend going at a humble pace of 1.5mph to 2.5mph. It’s also good practice to put some space between rods in order to avoid entanglement.

Despite most anglers using trolling rigs with artificial lures, using live bait can also be very effective especially when using a crawler harness. These lines are monofilament lines about a foot in length. Many anglers attach weights to the harness like snap weight, bell, and egg sinker. The added weight helps bait reach depths of up to 30ft underwater.

2. Jigging

This technique primarily uses an artificial rubber-based lure with a hook molded through them. The type of lure used makes jerky, vertical motions that mimic bait fish. Jigging is very practical as it can be used in both freshwater and saltwater, as well as in depths of 30 meters to 250 meters. As jigs have hooks molded through them, putting nightcrawlers or other live bait can be beneficial. Jigs are normally scented but having that extra smell from the live bait will surely help.

3. Split Shot Rig

Versatile in that they can be used in almost any scenario, split shot rigs are some of the most important equipment for any angler. A split shot rig is a type of fishing hook with a weight that can be added or removed upon discretion. Because of being able to suit the weight of the rig to an angler's needs, controlling its sinking is quite easy. The method of adding weights gives a more life-like presentation of baits and lures when both sinking and reeling in. Bass fishers and saltwater fishermen alike can agree on its effectiveness. When coupled with live bait like a night crawler, they’re sure to be even more life-like.

Easier than a bobber, the split shot rig is easy to set up.  Attach the line to the hook and subsequently add the nightcrawler. Add in the split shot weights about 6 inches from the hooks. When dealing with a weight without a proper split, use a pair of pliers to bind the split shot onto the line. By this point, the split shot is ready to be used. However, in the case of weight changes, the split shot’s weight can easily be increased or decreased.

4. Bobber and Hook Style Fishing

A bobber is a surface level-type of lure as it regularly floats on water. They have different styles, mainly the fixed and slip variants. The two are separated by their ability to be moved while cast out in the water. Obviously, a fixed bobber will stay on marginally the same spot throughout while the slip bobbers can be moved in other directions. Bobbers also have four distinct shapes, round, cigar, slip, and spring. 

Using a nightcrawler under a bobber is one of the most classic depictions of fishing. Most anglers probably started fishing using these as a kid. These baits are particularly good at catching almost any common fish, whether bass, trout, catfish, or even walleye. 

All it takes to rig a nightcrawler into a bobber is to first determine the length of the fishing line being used. Try to imagine the desired depth of where to place the bait. Next is to affix the bobber stopper to the fishing line as well as the fishing bead. After attaching the actual bobber to the line, the next step is to add the sliding weight to the bobber. Adding the right weight to the bobber will stop from either sinking or moving around too much in the water. Finally, it’s time to set up the swivel, tie down the hook, place the bait, and start fishing.

5.  Weedless Bait Rig

Oftentimes, predatory fish are looking for bait fish through weedy areas. These areas hold cover from the sun, have plankton, minnows, and other nutrients, making them a prime area to encounter many fish. The downside when looking for fish in areas full of weed is the tendency for lures to get stuck. The weedless bait rig, however, bypasses all of these problems and gives anglers a smooth experience. When using a weedless bait rig, make sure to use a weedless hook.

There are many ways to use a nightcrawler when using them as live bait for fish. Their smell makes them irresistible for many fish in the water. However, fishermen should be responsible when using them as they can be considered invasive species in some areas. It’s good to research beforehand what type of live bait anglers can use before casting lines. Otherwise, nightcrawlers are good for almost every occasion and can be experimented on with different rigs and casting methods.