Blowing up nightcrawlers...

[night_eyes]

I was just wondering how many of you guys blow up your nightcrawlers when you use them?? I do a lot of fishing with crawlers but have never done this. Is it pretty effective to do and under what circumstances is it best to do it?? And do you do it with just a lindy rig...or with spinners too..? Thanx

[REW]

I use crawlers a lot, and never fish witout blowing them up.

By giving them a puff of air, it makes them slightly boyant, and keeps them up off the bottom.
It is particularly effective, if you are fishing a lake that has a mud bottom or for example the Mud Flats of Mille Lacs MN -- where the lower two feet is basically "gook". If the bait gets into the "gook" your goose is "cooked" as far as good catching is concerned.

Even though - you feel for the bottom with your sinker, and then reel up a couple of feet -- if you use a long leader - as is the norm for Mille Lacs, because of the very clear water -- the weight of the hook etc. is enough to allow the worm to sink into the mud. Giving them a bit of air is just the ticket.

I use one of the "standard - Lindy" worm blowers, and I normally inject the air into the worms ring - it is a bit tougher there, and the hole tends to seal. Then I inflat the worm until it appears to be about 1/2 inflated. As you inflate the worm, you can see the worm growing is size as the air fills the body cavity.

Drop it it and you are good to go.

Take care

REW

[Phil T.]

Oh, it's about inflating. I had visions of cherry bombs.

[Blowed up good!]

About a 1/4 stick will do it. Just make sure the crawler is out of the boat a ways when you set it off!
"Blowed up goood! Blowed up Reeeaaaal Goood!"

[Ram Man]

I agree with REW, it is very effective. The only difference for me is that I buy insulin needles at the drug store to use. The needle breaks I just grab another one. The insulin needles can be bought for about .25 cents!! Lot cheaper than Lidys blower.

[Todd_NE]

I like to occasionally "blow up" crawlers when lindy rigging but I prefer to go with some sort of float pellet or phelps if I need buoyancy.

Inflating crawlers does little good on spinners because the force of the water forces the worm to ride horizontally under speed.

The biggest tip on crawlers is to experiment with different lengths by pinching off a section to match the forage.

Good Luck

Todd