| Is there nothing simpler than using a worm as | | | | once you try them once, you'll be the one that's |
| bait? It would seem as if this is a fairly simple | | | | hooked! My fishing mentor came up with this |
| proposition, but the truth of the matter is that | | | | concept (at least as far as I know) and I've been |
| most anglers don't really know how to use a | | | | a gang hook advocate ever since. The bottom |
| worm as bait. I'm obviously referring to live | | | | line is that if you want to know how to use a |
| worms here, and not the pieces of rubber that | | | | worm as bait, the answer lies in the amazing |
| bass fishermen find so appealing. Although those | | | | "gang hook", or should I say "set of gang hooks". |
| "worms" have their place, I'm referring to the | | | | If you want to truly know how to use live worms |
| "natural" variety. In this article I'm going to explain | | | | as bait, this is it. A great technique is to do the |
| exactly how to use a worm as bait, so as to | | | | following: Start by grabbing the end of your line |
| clear up all the confusion. | | | | and tying on a small barrel swivel. Now grab a set |
| The first thing to keep in mind when using a | | | | of pre-tied gang hooks and tie them onto the |
| worm as bait is that said bait needs to be easily | | | | opposite end of the barrel swivel. At this point |
| accessible, so that time isn't wasted baiting up and | | | | add split shot sinkers for weight above the barrel |
| or re-baiting. . This simple task is accomplished by | | | | swivel. The amount of weight will vary depending |
| employing a bait bag to carry your live worms | | | | on current conditions. Now add a live worm, |
| while fishing. This same concept goes for using | | | | Power Worm, or Gulp worm to the set of gang |
| "Berkley's trout worms" or "Gulp Worms", which | | | | hooks. The goal is to have offering bounce along |
| incidentally work as well as live worms most of | | | | the bottom, as it flows naturally with the current |
| the time. The point is that when using a worm as | | | | of a river or stream. Don't worry about getting |
| bait (whether alive or synthetic) it's important to | | | | snagged; it's simply part of the technique. Once |
| be as efficient as possible, which is where the bait | | | | you get the hang of this technique, you're going |
| bag comes into the picture. With a bait bag, | | | | to catch a lot of fish. The technique is as |
| baiting up and re-baiting literally takes seconds | | | | effective a fishing technique as I've ever come in |
| (which is a good thing). | | | | contact with. |
| If you truly want to know how to use a worm | | | | If you want to use a live worm as bait, this is it. |
| as bait, you need to consider what a worm looks | | | | Employ these simple techniques sooner, rather |
| like in nature. What does a worm look like in | | | | than later you you will start to experience much |
| nature? It looks outstretched and natural, maybe | | | | more success. Remember, fishing isn't rocket |
| crawling along the ground? Well then why in God's | | | | science, and some times little "tweaks" in your |
| name do fishermen attempt to thread their | | | | techniques can make all the difference in the |
| worms onto a single hook? This ends up making | | | | world. At the end of the day fishing is just like life, |
| their offering look like some sort of "worm ball" | | | | and many times the simplest things are the most |
| with a tail, rather than a real worm. When using a | | | | effective. |
| worm as bait, that worm needs to look as | | | | What, you don't believe me? Well, 20 years of |
| realistic as possible, and the only effective way to | | | | fishing success would prove me right. These |
| accomplish this through the use of gang hooks. | | | | techniques were taught to me more than 20 |
| Gang hooks are simply a pair of hooks tied in | | | | years ago, and have been working for me ever |
| tandem that allow you to present a live worm in | | | | since. If they work for me, I know they will work |
| an outstretched manner and because of the | | | | for anyone. Give them a shot and find out for |
| second hook, you hook those pesky 'short | | | | yourself. You won't be disappointed, I promise |
| striking' fish. Gang hooks only make sense, and | | | | you. |