Homemade Crawler Harness

[wallter]

I want to tie my own but can't seem to get them to lay out right. My main questions are;

1. What kind of line should I use (pound test & type)?

2. How far apart should the hooks be (double and triple)?

3. What knot works best for multiple hooks?

4. How many beeds?

*My main concern is the knot tying process please offer suggestions. Thanks.

[Team Otter]

8 lb. monofilament works well for crawler harnesses. 3 - 4" between hooks is typically and Palomar knots are darn tough to beat. As far as the amount of beads, you want at least enough to keep your spinner above the first hook.

[fiskyknut]

Multiple hook rigs you will definatly want to use the oh so fun to tie snell knot, it's the only way to go as the finished knot leaves the tag end straight and going out the back. There are tools that make tying these rigs/knots easier, with practice you'll get quick doing them by hand though.

[Mike Walerak]

Depends on if the fish are "line shy" or not. If I can get away with it I will use 10lb XT. It does not seem to twist up as bad. Otherwise it is 8lb or 6 lb with a good swivel tied to it.

As for knots I almost strickly use a snell knot. Manytimes I have found that just a single hook out performs the tandem hooks.

As for beads I typically use as many as it takes to keep the spinner from hitting the eye of the hook. One thing to note: some beads sink and some float. Keep this in mind when you are building your spinners.

I have found the Ventilator Blades from JB Lures to be dynomite on the Mississippi R. this year. Ventilator Blades

MW

[wallter]

Are any of you guys fishing these on a three way swivel?

[Northlander]

I use 10 or 12# Xt or Gamma and use snell knots. I also use quick exchange clevis's on all my rigs so I just snap the blade off and put on another size or color. That way no cutting lines and retieing evey time I want something different. I mostly bottom bounce them or in shallow water pull them behind my boards with just a shot to help keep weeds off.

Like said above make sure you have enough beeds to keep the blade away from the 1st hook.

[BobT]

I have found that when I tie my own spinner rigs that I have trouble with getting the spinner to function properly on light line.

Anyone else notice this problem and if so, have you found light lines that work better for this purpose. I have used Trilene XT and that definitely works better than XL.

I typically use 12lb. test line for a couple reasons. 1) The spinner seems to work better, especially at lower speeds and 2) I get fewer bite-offs when those northerns grab hold. Some of my biggest northerns have been caught using these rigs so it has been worth it.

Bob

[LocalGuide]

Dont be afraid to use heavy line.

I normally use 12lb line, like Trilene XT.

I have used 17lb XT if I am fishing in water with pike and snags. Otherwise I would go with 12lb and nothing less.

The lure is moving by at 1-2 mph so it doesnt make that much of a difference.

I also have tried Trilene XL, NOT good. It always resulted in something bad happening.

[wallter]

XT makes sense. What kind of knot system do you use for multiple hook rigs. I'm struggling with the knot part. I need any easy one...

[Mike Walerak]

Almost stricly on 3-ways in rivers. I have been experimenting with a sliding 3-way setup some too. So far so good.

The Infiltrator spinners seem to work well on light lines. Also perfect when super slow speeds are desired.

mw

[Northlander]

walter I snell all my spinner knots. Very easy just leave enough line on after the 1st hook to snell a second or third hook on.

[Big Julie]

I tie the snell knot just like the ones you buy.

I can tie them very quickly and can tie a two or three hook harness with the hooks as far or close as you want them.

As much as I would like to, I can't tell you how I do it, it's a thing you have to see.

They have to have instructions for the knot somewhere, look around.

[Big Julie]

Try this link:

http://www.fish4fun.com/snell.htm

[picksbigwagon]

I just finished up snelling 15 double rigs today. My lord, what a long day....first time doing doubles, I can snell a single at night with a headlight, but that extra long tag end kills me, any help with tying multiples? Hopefully these pan out this week on Mille Lacs, yes I said WEEK!!!!

Have fun at work everybody