Shocking The Crawlers

[Flatbottom Boy]

Growing up in Iowa we used to shock nightcrawlers when we were kids. (not the safest pastime for younger children, probably why I have such a fear of electricity now) I don't use them everyday but when I head up to Stockton or the Bull I like dragging crawlers for walleyes. My question is has anyone tried to build there own worm shockers and ever have any luck in our hard rocky soil here in Missouri? I find them turning rocks and timber over when I take the kids out but I'm debating on building some prods and try it out. Thanks all tight lines.

[Ham]

I think all the shocking sticks are off the market, but someone somewhere has made their own.

I'd just go buy a couple dozen at a bait store, but that's just me.

[Feathers and Fins]

Ok when I saw this title I had to double check it. I use to do it as a kid myself and have thought about it here. No reason it wont work if you can find a field. 12v car battery after the rain and some rods should do the trick be sure as you know to wear your rubbers. Although In retrospect I think a 55 gallon or bigger old ice shest might be safer. But thanks for a trip back in memory lane and a father and grandfather on this day that use to enjoy watching us kids get zapped

[Quillback]

Or you can go out at night after a good rain, and pick them off the ground. City parks that have short grass and are well watered were always good spots to get crawlers at night. But nowadays I'm like Ham, I just go to the store and buy some.

[Flatbottom Boy]

I have tried the after shower thing here in my yard, no luck. We used to go out after rains on the local golf course and get thousands of them. I should try that here, my oldest daughter would have a blast. As far as buying them...well thats no fun! I trap minnows too, I'm kinda weird with doing things the hard way I guess.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I trap minnows too, I'm kinda weird with doing things the hard way I guess.

Ehhh, seining is much better. Plus the best traps have been outlawed. You rebel!

[Quillback]

I have tried the after shower thing here in my yard, no luck. We used to go out after rains on the local golf course and get thousands of them. I should try that here, my oldest daughter would have a blast. As far as buying them...well thats no fun! I trap minnows too, I'm kinda weird with doing things the hard way I guess.

Yeah when I was much younger I used to do the sneak out on the golf course thing. That was the best.

[bfishn]

I'm kinda weird with doing things the hard way I guess.

Nothin' wrong with that, I have as much fun catchin' my bait as I do using it.

I played with shockers some years ago, decided I'd be better off selling them in the back of a magazine than using them (but I never did). Flashlight after a rain is still the best, but I don't even do that anymore since it got harder to pick stuff up off the ground... :-)

[Flatbottom Boy]

Holy crap chief thanks, I'll stick to the casting net then! Must have skipped over that one in the regs. Does anyone have an idea why they are outlawed?

[Flatbottom Boy]

Chief, this is out of the regulation unless I'm missing something. Just want to be legal so let me know if there is something else you are reading. Thanks.

Methods

_ Live bait may be taken by trap, dip net, throw net, pole and line, or seine.

_ Live-bait traps must have a throat opening not more than 1½ inches in any

dimension, and must be labeled with the user’s full name and address, or

Conservation Number.

_ Traps must be removed if they cannot be checked at least once every 24 hours.

_ Seines must not be more than 20 feet long and 4 feet deep, with a mesh of not

more than ½ inch bar measure.

_ Live bait, except fish, may be taken by hand.