crawlers

[m]

what is a crawler harness and how is it used

[Juls_WI]

A crawler harness is usually made up of two to three in line hooks with beads, clevis, and a blade. There are many variations to this combination, and it's up to the angler to figure out which combination will work in different situations. These components are set up on mono or superbraid leads in lengths usually anywhere from 2-10'. They are most commonly used behind bottom bouncers, and behind planer boards with or without snapweights.

Hope this helps you out some...

Juls

[Smitty]

I also often use them in a Lindy Rig setup to provide more of a "stealth" presentation than a bouncer.

[mick]

snell(short for bottom bouncer/long for trolling...just make sure you can lift the rod and get fish in net before the swivel hits the rod eye)

tie two hooks to snell...maybe 4 inches apart

then come beads...bead size I use is determined by blade size.

small beads..say 5 or 6 millimeters for size 1 or 2 blades...big beads for 5 or 6 colorado blades. Your local craft store has tons of stuff that works great for dressing a spinner rig.

Get your blades and clevis at catalog places. Cabella's etc.

I try to use bead colors that bring out the color of the blade. I always include a red bead nearest the blade.

If you get a catalog...just copy their designs..That's the easiest way to get started. Use a ball-bearing swivel to keep the line from twisting.

[Dunn]

A Crawler Harness is a snelled leader with one, or more hooks that is designed to be trolled or casted.

The leader consists of a single hook, or several tied with one or a series of beads above it with a rotating clevis that holds a blade that when pulled rotates and causes flash in the water.

Often single hook "Crawler" harness' are used for trolling or casting minnows on the rig. The mutiple hook harness' are primarily used for crawlers.

Trolling a crawler harness can be tricky. Find a speed that you are comfortable with, and then if that does not produce work down and then up untill you find some fish that are biting.

The usual speeds for trolling crawler harness' is between .7 MPH and 1.5 MPH. However, with Willow leaf style blades you can pull them as fast as 2.5+ MPH.

If you have any more questions just email me.
Good luck,
-----------------
Marshall J. Dunn
Bluewater Research, Inc.
(OffShore Release)
N.P.A.A. # 701