FISHING WITH LIVE CRAYFISH

I use an eagle claw hook #4 084 . I hook the crawdad up thru the tail at least up two segments.

See Illustration above

In shallow water i use a single split shot, the current, rocks, and depth dictate the weight of the shot. The shot should be placed 6 to 18 inches from the craw.

This rig should be fished with the rod tip high and on a slack line with reel on freespool. Pinch the line between thumb and first finger for the best feel of the craw swiming and touching bottom. The craw should be twitched up with the rod tip just enough and often enough to keep him from hanging. When the fish bites it will be a chomp chomp DO NOT SET THE HOOK wait until the fish starts to move with the bait. Watching the line where it enters the water, when the line starts to move sideways SET THE HOOK. This simple but effective rig may also be used to fish live minnows or shad.

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In deeper water I will use a carolina type rig or fish finder rig. I place a sinker of the bullet or egg type on the the main line followed by a small shot placed about 18 inches from the craw.

The rod tip should be again held high and reel on freespool. Once again you should keep a slack line. Move the bait by thumbing the spool and moving rod tip in a sideways sweeping motion just enough to keep craw from hanging. Watch the line and allow fish to move with the bait before setting hook. If you hold the line between thumb and finger you may feel the chomp chomp when the fish tries to kill the craw before eating it. Allow the fish enough slack to move with the bait before setting the hook.

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