I didn't fish at all last week, but the week before, I had bought four 20 packs of big, nice crawlers (to begin with)..... and you should see them now !

If you are thinking about live lining some crawlers on micro-light gear, and you want the biggest, fattest, strongest crawlers you can possibly have (and of course you do, right ? )

Try this > First insure that the bedding they came in is moist, but not wet. If the container is totally full, get rid of about the top 1/2" or so of bedding.

Next, put a nice scoop, like two heaping tablespoons of "used" coffee grounds on top of them.

Then, take a half sheet of newspaper (no colored ink though, B/W only) and basically fold and crumple it into a round, flat disc, that will fit perfectly into the top of your worm container. Then run this disc of newspaper under the sink, in cool tapwater, then shake it off. It needs to be fully wet, but not dripping.

Finally, place this disc of paper on top of the worm carton, with the used coffee grounds sandwiched between the newspaper, and the original worm bedding.

When you squeeze the lid on, it should be snug, and it might bulge just a tiny bit, but if you really have to smash it, or have trouble getting the lid to stay on, you didn't remove enough of the original bedding.

Of course the bigger and healthier your crawlers are to begin with, the better the finished product.... but no matter what, this will make your crawlers gain probably 30% or 40% in size, and strength !

Typically, they start to show improvement in 2-3 days, and will be maxed out, in 1 week. After that, if you haven't used them up yet, you can pull the cartons out of the fridge, lift the newspaper, and add a pinch more of "used" coffee grounds. This will keep them maxed out, until you are ready to use them

You guys should see the crawlers I have ready for the next trip ! These freaking things are huge, and stupid strong ! Just hoping I can find some monster Smallies to crawl them in front of !!! Whoo Hoo ! It will just be ON !

Peace,

Fish

i will be doing this tomorrow thanks for the tip!!

I have used coffee grounds, corn meal, bread crumbs, and pancake mix. Anything they can eat will plump them up. If you keep them for any length of time though coffee is the way to go. The other items listed will eventualy mold.

Also be sure to check for and weed out any pale sickly looking ones. Leaving them in there will wipe out the whole neighborhood.

There's also a way to plump and liven nightcrawlers, right on the lake.

Take along a bag of ice cubes and a small container filled with bottled water.(tap water contains chlorine).

Before rigging the crawler, drop it into the container with an ice cube.

A couple minutes in the ice-water and the crawler will spring to life and balloon noticeably.

Roger

I get that way when I drink a lot of coffee too