In a recent fishing trend, Northland Fishing Tackle's Eye-Candy Nightcrawler has surfaced as a top contender against traditional live bait. This innovative bait line, launched on July 12, 2023, is transforming the walleye fishing experience across the region, with anglers reporting impressive catches.
"Our pro staff team members and in-house bait designers came together and sketched out shapes, sizes, colors, and movements that would offer walleye anglers something completely new and different," explained Mike Anselmo, Marketing Director at Northland. The collaboration not only prioritized uniqueness but aimed to fulfill the anglers' wishes for more effective soft plastics.
"Our pro staff team members and in-house bait designers came together and sketched out shapes, sizes, colors, and movements that would offer walleye anglers something completely new and different,"
What sets the Eye-Candy line apart is its composition. While many soft plastics use standard PVC materials, Northland opted for a Super TPE formula that boasts durability and flexibility. "Everyone collaborated on creating the kind of walleye soft plastics we’d all been wishing for," Anselmo stated.
"Everyone collaborated on creating the kind of walleye soft plastics we’d all been wishing for,"
With the aquatic environment bustling with activity, the Eye-Candy Nightcrawler has become a staple tool for anglers. As fishing techniques such as harness and spinner rigs gain popularity, the convenience of this artificial bait is evident. It eliminates the hassle of dealing with slippery, wrinkled worms, making it a favorable choice.
"The Eye Candy Nightcrawler just catches fish," praised JMO host and Northland pro staffer Jason Mitchell. He noted its soft action and impressive scent absorption as key advantages. “It floats, too, so it works great trolled on a nightcrawler harness in place of live bait.”
"The Eye Candy Nightcrawler just catches fish,"
Mitchell also highlighted its versatility: "It’s also deadly on a dropshot simply nose-hooked, even wacky-rigged. And I like to fish it on a jig—either the Northland Slurp! Jig Head or the new, longer-shank Tungsten Jig.” This flexibility has allowed anglers to experiment with various techniques.
Another fishing expert, Mille Lacs Lake guide Brad Hawthorne, echoed Mitchell's praise. "The Nightcrawler is probably the sleeper of the entire Eye-Candy line. That thing’s a knockout. I fish it on a traditional walleye spinner, and we’re processing 30 to 40 fish before you need to change the plastic.” The ease of reuse is particularly appealing during peak fishing seasons.
Available in eight distinct colors and measuring six inches in length, the Eye-Candy Nightcrawler showcases a commitment to variety and specificity for walleye fishing. It’s priced at an MSRP of $7.99 for a pack of five, making it accessible for anglers looking to boost their fishing game.
In a moving endorsement, Anselmo commented on the market response: "In terms of enthusiasm and sales on the consumer side, Eye-Candy is unlike anything we've ever seen in a very small sample size. The reception from our wholesale partners has been nothing short of enthusiastic." This momentum suggests that the Eye-Candy line will see a robust launch as the fishing community anticipates its broader release in 2024.
For those aiming to pair the Eye-Candy Nightcrawler with suitable rigging options, several spinner rig harnesses are recommended. The lightweight Butterfly Blade Harness, for example, excels when paired with the Nightcrawler for slow trolling. Likewise, the hard-thumping Baitfish Spinner Harness continues to demonstrate success in various fishing conditions.
As the fishing season presses onwards, the Eye-Candy Nightcrawler not only offers a practical alternative to live bait but also promises to reshape how anglers approach walleye fishing. With its demonstrated performance and favorable reception, the continued evaluation of this product will be exciting as more anglers share their experiences in the months ahead.
