using night crawlers on the bottom?

[fishingkidPA]

so ive had major success catching nice smallies on size 6 hooks just putting on the end of a large night crawler and fishing on the bottom (using a couple split shots to keep it down) what do yuo guys think about this? i work it like a jig but a little faster and they love it!!! i suggest you guys try it even if your not much for live bait, i mean a wiggling night crawler does the work for you! ;D

[NateFollmer]

This technique is as old as the hills. I don't use it anymore because it works on just about any fish. You'll catch a ton of bluegills and sunfish this way. I find using any technique but this one keeps the other fish away Nothing wrong with using a worm though, I just hate all the bonus fish  ;D

[fishingkidPA]

yea i know but i dont fish this local, i fish it in the mountain streams where only smallies and trout are so its fine for me!

[fishingkidPA]

hey your from PA, have you ever fished Slippery Rock Creek? great small mouth there!!!

[Lund Explorer]

Same basic split shot rig I use for walleyes, and I catch my share of smallies at the same time.  Besides crawlers, leeches work well at times as do minnows.

Like Nate said, you do have to put up with all of the other fish, in my case usually suckers/carp.  You get away from a lot of those nuisance bites with artificials.  You also get away from having to try to keep your crawlers fresh when it is warm outside.

At some point, try some 4" power worms with this rig.  Black, Pumpkin, and Motor Oil are all good colors.

[NateFollmer]

Haven't been there yet. I usually fish in the central part of the state.

Another good smallie/walleye technique is get the air injected earthworms. They seem to be more active. I know some people that use earthworms that were dipped in green glow paint, they work awesome for walleye. A few places around here used to sell them, but I can't find them anymore (have to dip them yourself ).

[fishingkidPA]

im going to benezette in central PA this week end

[NateFollmer]

I usually fish Walker, Faylor, Raystown and Colyer Lakes. I'm almost always fishing the Juniata River though. The only time I'm not at any of these places is in the winter and then I'll be on one of the creeks for trout

[fishingkidPA]

do you do tournaments?

[NateFollmer]

Nope, going to try my hand at the Bassmaster's Opens in 2011 though... Even if I lose, it's worth it to me to pay $300 to fish with a pro

[fishingkidPA]

yea i really wanna do some tournaments for my age cause i think im a lot more experience than the other kids. im 14

[NateFollmer]

Confidence is key, but watch out... There are some pretty talented youngsters out there!

Also, you can't fish with nightcrawlers in tournaments (most anyway) so start trying some new techniques

[fishingkidPA]

yes i know. im very familiar with spinners and some soft plastic frogs and some rapalas. just need to know how to to jig

[NateFollmer]

The jig is a whole other animal The bite is so much different than everything else. Use small jigs like "bitsy bugs" for smallies, they love them!

[fishingkidPA]

oh my i know!!!! i bought some baby brush hogs and senkos to try and with the brush hogs i just never know when they are biting, my dad says they just inhale them and you really need to know how it feels.