Using a worm as bait isn't art all difficult, but there are some methods which are much more productive than others. Are you one of the millions of anglers that attempts to "thread" a live worm onto a hook and calls it good? In this article, I'm going to explain why that method is outdated and should be reserved for those people who don't want to be as effective as they could be. "Threading" a worm onto a hook as bait, does little more than create what I like to call a worm ball.

The best way to use a worm as bait when fishing is to use a set of gang hooks. You see, a set of gang hooks allows the worm to be presented in a natural and outstretched manner, the way God intended, rather than being all "balled up" like a piece of meat. Although smaller and inexperienced fish can be caught using the infamous "worm ball", larger and experienced fish tend not to bite such sophomoric offerings. I've personally been using gang hooks to fish with worms for approximately 20 years, and know from experience that worms presented on a set of gang hooks out fish any other method by about 2 to 1.

This is how to use a worm as bait and be as effective as possible: Begin by tying a barrel swivel onto your line. Now tie on a set of pre-tied gang hooks that correlate to the type and size of fish that you're fishing for. If you're fishing in a river or stream, split shot sinkers should be used for weight, and should be placed above your barrel swivel. If you're still fishing in a lake, an egg sinker should be slipped onto your line before initially tying on the barrel swivel. At this point a live worm (or whatever bait you happen to be using) is added to the gang hooks. If the worms are large, then simply pinch them in half.

Now, how does your live worm look rigged on the set of pre-tied gang hooks? Pretty much like it would in nature, right? That, my friend, is the point. The more natural your bait looks, the more bites you will receive, it's as simple as that. Gang Hooks enable you to present your worms in the most natural way possible.

Another great tip for using worms as bait while fishing is to employ a bait bag. If you move from spot to spot at all while fishing, a bait bag will become your best friend. The amount of time that a bait bag saves you while fishing is incredible. Always having your worms at your fingertips whenever you need to bait up is such a time saver that you will hardly believe it. Just like gang hooks, I've been using some manifestation of a bait bag to carry my worms while fishing for more than 20 years, and I can't imagine going river/stream fishing without a bait bag to carry my worms. These simple tips will help you become a much better worm angler, I promise you.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country…..Montana!

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