Walleyes And Crawler Harnesses - Beyond The Normal Methods 

Yes, I've used those some. They need a little more speed to get a wiggle out of them than the flatfish.

Pud, thanks for the sub. I'm not an expert but I have caught a few walleyes over the years. Also check out this video, LINK - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html, It is a continuation of the above video. Also if your interested in slip bobbers for walleyes, check out this playlist, LINK - ru-vid.com/group/PLksX0m4wrQHzY42vxvoV7scmG2dwPU84g. I've been living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula for 48 years but I was born in Rhinelander WI and still visit there from time to time. Thanks again for the sub and the kind comment, KPO.

Lee, thanks for adding in. I can only imagine the size fish you guys are getting on the Columbia on a regular basis. I'm still experimenting with stuff like this, so I love hearing new ideas. Thanks KPO.

Keith Carey, yes rig those Lazy Ikes up. Let me know how they work for you. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. KPO

Hey, thanks for that comment and thanks for watching, KPO.

You are welcome, KPO.

Glad to hear it and thanks for letting me know, KPO.

You are welcome!

This is awesome to hear! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. We still have ice on our lakes and walleye season is over 2 weeks away so I'm gonna have to live thru you for now LOL, KPO.

I'm not much of a trapper but they look pretty cool, KPO

Thanks for the sub and be sure to check out this other vid I did on this subject, link - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html These two vids kind of go together. Thanks again, KPO.

William, I've only been doing the flatfish thing for a few years but it has been working for me. Let me know how it works out for you. Thanks for the comment, KPO.

Daniel thanks. Also check out this other vid I did on this subject, link - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html Thanks again, KPO.

Thanks so much for the comment! Let me know how the rigs work for you. Also did you check out this video yet. It kind of expands on things a little more. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html

bud, also check out this vid, LINK - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html It's a continuation of the above video. Hope you enjoy this one too. Thanks so much for the support, KPO.

Thank you so much 😀

Jesse, let me know how it works out for you and thanks for watching, KPO.

Yeah will do. There’s a guide by the name of Justin Heider outta the Great Lakes someplace, he sells a spinner attachment that allows you to move the spinner up the line wherever you please. I purchased a couple and they do work well but they cause line twist. Your idea with the simple swivel then extra line to the business end is great. Wish I would thought of that years ago!!!!

Melvin, if you try any of these ideas let me know how they work for you. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching, KPO.

I'm sure the paddle tail will work. Although I think sometimes when they are finnicky and just pecking nothing beats real meat. Thanks for adding in, KPO.

These rigs have a time and place. Check out this other vid I did on the subject, Link - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html I think you will like this one too. Thanks for watching, KPO.

Kerry, that sounds very cool and very rewarding. Thanks for watching, KPO.

Also check out ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html This video goes along with this one, thanks for the comment, KPO.

RidgeLine, please let me know how it works out for you. Thanks for watching, KPO

Cool, KPO

Gary, I also did a follow-up video on the flatfish if you're interested - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html Thanks for the feed back, KPO.

Hey Gary, did the flatfish work in your area??

@@ssstl3636 haven’t tried yet but will soon

Thanks for sticking with me Paul. KPO

Tommy, let me know how it works out. You know it's funny, but 25 years ago all the best walleye guys on tour always said how important it was to get the crawler on the harness straight. Other wise the crawler spins and they viewed that as a bad thing. Now we are buying hooks to make the crawler spin. Even the best walleye guys don't have it all figured out. That makes it fun. Thanks for watching, KPO.

Let me know how it works for you Greatlakezgirl, KPO.

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors I caught 2 large mouth bass and both swallow it deep

Hank, interesting stuff. Always learning right? Thanks for adding in, KPO.

Michael, welcome to Knetter's Practical Outdoors! Thanks for watching, KPO.

Yes, I use them for rainbow trout too. Thanks for adding in, KPO.

TheLifestyleBusiness, hey thanks for the comment. I like to use F-7 size flatfish and I think I ordered some from Amazon this spring. You may want to go up a size or two with those huge Lake Erie walleyes. You know I think I'm going to do another short vid on this. I'm still experimenting with the flatfish and learning stuff every time out. There's a few things I need to expand on in the next video. Please let me know how this works out for you. Just the other day a viewer let me know how well he and his buddy did up in Canada with adding the gap and using the flatfish. Again let me know and thanks for watching, KPO.

2-3 feet usually, thanks for watching, KPO.

George, I will have to try those blades. I just believe there is a difference between what attracts fish from a distance and what gets them to hit in the end. Anyone who insists on using a real crawler on their harness instead of a plastic one is making this point (even if they didn't realize it). The Hali jig for ice fishing is another example of this theory. Thanks so much for adding to this conversation, KPO.

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Dave, I don't know by your explanation above if you were more in favour of real crawlers or scented plastics? I believe you promoted the real crawler, just wanted clarity please.

I believe real crawlers work better. Remember this, the "flatfish, hook back" rig is to help entice reluctant fish. If the fish are anything less than aggressive that real scent and flavor will be better than the fake alternative. If the fish are hitting anything they see, it probably won't matter too much. Heck, under those conditions you might catch just as many fish pulling cranks right? Another exception is if small fish keep picking your crawlers off, especially when you may not notice it.. It sucks pulling in a planer board and find you've been trolling around with nothing on the hook. So in that case, a Gulp crawlers is better than no crawler. Remember there is a reason that bait shops still sell live bait. It would be a lot easier and cheaper to use plastics, but there is still nothing quite like the real thing. Thanks for the interest, KPO.

California would find a way to ruin them

I haven't tried the smiley blades yet. What do you like better about them?

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Mylar blades (smileys) will spin at very slow speeds. I have been using them for 4 years now with tremendous success. Your normal colorado, willows and blades like that have there purposes but mylar blades are becoming very popular.

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Well, I'm not quite sure. Like you said, maybe the spinners are too much. When the fish comes in they hesitate. Maybe the smileys are more subtle, you still get the flash but a little less movement. All I know is I've fished em side by side and the smileys catch more fish, for me anyway.

Very cool. Thanks for watching and adding in, KPO.

@@nt3523 Yeah your not getting that big thump from a conventional blade. The weight and center rotation point doesnt allow it. However I feel with using them you dont gather outside fish due to the lack of vibration. Almost wondering what a conventional blade with a smiley trailer would do.

Jeff, I can't tell you that they absolutely work better than regular spinners. I would take a statement like that very seriously. Before I would say that, I would have to troll regular rigs head to head against my separated spinners for many hours and notice a big difference before I could say that. But you can see the fish in the vid were caught on flatfish with a slow death added 4-5 inches back. And I do catch them on the spinners with the hook 4-5 inches back too. Do they work better? That's a good question. I feel like they do, but I almost only troll with my modified rig so if I catch fish it will be on those. I don't want to mislead you. That's why I took a little time and explained the reasons for my theory. Have they panned out? Yes, I think they have. I've been catching fish on them again this year. Let me know how they work for you and thanks for watching, KPO.

Scott, the weight depends on depth and speed. I've used everything from no weight to spit shots to clip ons. Add weight just like you would to other presentations. I have used them with and without swivels on the slow death hook. Some of the slow death hooks I use actually have a swivel at the head of the hook itself. So these ones spin on their own. Regular slow death hooks tied directly to the flatfish (no swivel) will rotate back and forth and that has good action. But yes adding the swivel will allow the hook to actually spin completely around. I'm still experimenting and learning with these. I may do another vid on these soon and the swivel addition will be part of the vid. Thanks for watching, KPO.

I like white and chartreuse.

Marc, I haven't had any issues. If you check out this other vid I did on the subject LINK - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html you'll see I did start adding a swivel, but it's fine either way. I don't think the slow death can really induce twists in that short of a piece of line. The video link I sent you gets into more detail of the flat fish than this video. Thanks for watching, KPO.

Cool, cool, KPO.

Yes, that's an option too. Thanks for watching, KPO.

It seems like it would work, but I haven't tried it, KPO.

Check out another video I did on just the flatfish LINK - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html It will explain more. I think the size was F-7. They are Wordens Flatfish. I don't think the factory treble presents the crawler as good. Thanks for the interest, KPO.

I do take it off. You probably wouldn't have to. I have considered that the fish may just hit the flatfish, but I think with the short lead (3-5 inches) I think they would go for the crawler. But I'm sure you could leave it on. KPO

Knetters Practical Outdoors thanks Dave , you know , that treble probably get all tangled with the crawler line , now that I think of it ! Your probably right about taking it off ! When I get back fishing,I'll let you know how it works ! 👍🎣

Cool, KPO

true

Well, I can't tell you that putting the hook back is for sure better. That would be a pretty bold statement. I would want many many hours of head to head comparison before I would say that. Like running 3 lines of "hook 5" back" on one side of the boat and running 3 lines of normal on the other for one whole season. Then at the end of the season have catch rates be significantly higher with the "hook back" rig. Then we could say they seem to work better at least were the fishing was done. But I've never went that far. It's just more of an observation from watching underwater video. As far as the spinner or flatfish, for most big water trolling (like Lake Erie) spinners might be your better option. I still do fish with spinners sometimes. But what I like about the Flatfish is they can be fished soooo slow and still have good action. I fish a lot of smaller water were I might be methodically trying to pick apart structure with a troll or drift. Like I said in the vid I even wind drift with them at crawl speeds that would be too slow for spinners. If you are trying to cover ground at 1 to 2 mph spinners probably would work better. I also like the buoyancy the flatfish give. Again, I fish mostly small water. I make a lot of hard turns when trolling and the inside lines will sometimes come to a stop. I like that the flatfish rig will stay off the bottom even when the sinker system may not. If the fish are pretty aggressive the "hook back 5 inches" probably won't matter. But if you're getting bumps but no fish I think it helps. You know how at one end of the walleye fishing spectrum you have "slip bobber fishing" (slowest method) and at the other end of the spectrum you have "pulling cranks at 3 mph" (fastest method). I look at the "Flatfish, hook back rig" as somewhere between "pulling spinners" and "Lindy rigging" as far as speed and coverage. It has a time and place like every other method. Please let me know if you experiment with these at all. I hope to do another vid this summer on this subject. Always learning more. Thanks KPO.

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Thanks Dave......great explanation. As I do the "hook back" build with my harnesses this summer, I will let you know how it goes. I like how you put the small swivel between the hook and the beads. Allows for bait to roll. Great idea. I will probably also get some of the bigger flatfish and try on my crawler harness rigs for drift casting, not trolling. Either way, you gave some nice things to consider, and I'll do so. Good fishing to you!

Awesome! KPO.

Yes, I've used these in all the same ways you would use a regular spinner and crawler. Planer boards, bottom bouncers, snap weights, long line, trolled and wind drifted. I recently did another vid on the subject, link - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html you might enjoy it Robert. Thanks for watching, KPO.

Yes, most of the lakes I fish are small and the potential for 8 - 10 lb fish is very low. KPO

Jarret, I've been ask that question a few times. I can't say adding a few inches behind the spinner or flatfish is definitely better. That sort of statement would involve a lot of head to head testing. Like running 3 lines normal and 3 lines with extra inches for 100s of hours and seeing if one really out fishes the other. I haven't done that. But I don't think it hurts to put the crawler a couple inches back. It's just my observations that are mentioned in this video that make me think it helps sometimes. Thanks for watching, KPO.

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors thanks I'm thinking it would help after watching the videos of fish strikes on cam

Jarret, that was my thinking too. Let me know how it works out for you, KPO.

Steven, here is a link to another vid I did on the subject. It should help answer your questions. LINK - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CB7vQuhPRoQ.html thanks for the interest, KPO.

If you mean bottom bouncer, then yes. These work pretty much anywhere a crawler harness work. Thanks for the interest, KPO.

Paul, I totally understand where you at coming from. I didn't want to just say "I like to put 3-5 inches between the spinner and crawler" without explaining my theory. I wanted the viewers to understand my reasons for feeling it helps to get bit. I'm sure I could have shortened it up though. Hey thanks for watching and thanks for the feedback. KPO

@@KnettersPracticalOutdoors Exactly! As presented, the vid gives CONTEXT. That, I give you "thanx." With context a viewer can assess their own perceived pros and cons to your methodology and maybe, from their own experience, modify your practice, tweak it, for their own use. Well, that's how I absorb the Knetters lesson today. Danke, Sensei Knetter.

Dennis, thanks for that comment and thanks for watching, KPO.

Jeff, I'm thinking like you. I just bought a pack of Spin N Glows this spring, but haven't tied them up yet. Yes, keep me posted. Thanks again, KPO.