Big Jim, The answers to your questions are: yes, great, and don't know. A bit more detail. I use several periwinkles on a #4 egg-type hook. I like to run the hook through the arse end, but some times that end is too soft and implodes when punctured. The other end is tougher, but I like to get all those eyes and legs waving in the steelie's face. If the crawdads are big enough, I peel the tail and bury my #4 in the meat. If there is room, hang a periwinkle on the barb for extra attraction. Small to medium crawdads work well under a float. I usually remove both pinchers when fishing whole crawdads, regardless of their size. One drawback to using the periwinkles is the small trout and smolts really go for them. Catching and releasing these little guys/gals is just plain unhealthy for them.