How to Fish With a Night Crawler Harness

worm image by Ksenija Djurica from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

A nightcrawler harness is a length of fishing line leader that typically has one or more long shank bait holder hooks attached to the end with a knot. Several small diameter beads, with at least one spinner blade, will be attached to the line above the hook. The beads and blades can be in different colors to match fishing conditions. Fishing a nightcrawler harness is simple and can be a very productive method of presenting the already potent nightcrawler.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Nightcrawler harness
Nightcrawler worm
Barrel swivel
Sliding egg weight
Scissors

Step 1

Place a sliding egg weight on your main line. Attach a barrel swivel to the end of your main line with a Uni knot. Form the knot by pulling several inches of the free end of the line through the eye of the swivel and up beside the main line forming a double line. Turn the free end back toward the swivel forming a loop. Wrap the free end of the line around the double lines and through the loop four times and pull tight.

Step 2

Choose a worm harness in colors that are suitable for the water conditions in which you will be fishing. Select bright colors--including chartreuse green, white, yellow and fluorescent orange--when fishing in murky, stained or muddy waters. Purple, black, red and silver are often good choices when the water is clear.

Step 3

Attach the free end of the worm harness leader to the opposite end of the barrel swivel with a Uni knot, following the previous directions. Pull the Uni knot tight and trim excess line from the free end with scissors.

Step 4

Thread a nightcrawler onto the hook on the end of the nightcrawler harness. Cover as much of the hook as possible and arrange the nightcrawler on the hook so it will be presented as naturally as possible in the water. Avoid winding the worm around the hook in a ball.

Step 5

Cast the nightcrawler harness rig into areas where you think bass, walleye, pike and other big game are located. Pull or troll the rig and allow it to work along the bottom of the lake, where it can attract fish that are feeding on or just above the bottom.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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