Every fish has different prey, which means no bait is ideal for catching every species of fish. But some common baits are more useful than others for fishing. Earthworms are among the most common types of bait and seem to lure almost all fish to strike. Live worms are particularly good as bait because their movements on the hook lure fish. Worms also have an appealing scent which disperses in the water and attracts many different kinds of fish. The most important facet of putting a worm on a line is to make sure the worm can't easily slip off or be bitten without the fish also biting down on the hook.
Step 1
Take several small earthworms and thread the hook through the middle of each one, creating a clump of worms that can be used to attract fish. Typically, any worms 1 inch long or less can be strung onto the hook with this method. A single small worm is much harder to fish with, since it makes the hook more visible and isn't large enough to attract fish in a wide range of sizes. Clumping worms together disguises the hook and will attract more fish.
Step 2
Thread a medium-size worm onto the hook lengthwise, from head to tail. Medium-size worms are generally the length of your hook or slightly longer and thick enough that they can be skewered without being torn apart. This is the most difficult way to hook a worm, since the end of the hook can easily slip out through the side and tear up the worm, but sliding a worm onto a hook lengthwise helps hide the hook. Make sure you don't push the hook all the way through the end--leave the end of the worm free to move and wriggle around. This natural movement will help attract fish to your bait, increasing the odds of a strike.
Step 3
Hook a night crawler or other large worm onto the line through the side of the worm in several different places. Any worm too long to skewer needs to be hooked using this method--most worms in excess of 2 inches long will be draped onto the hook. Three or four loops is usually enough to anchor the worm while also draping it over the hook to hide the metal. Make sure the tail is left free to dangle and entice prospective strikes.
Tips and Warnings
- You can also fish with a night crawler by cutting it into smaller pieces and stringing the pieces on as you would a group of smaller worms.
Things You'll Need
- Worms
- Hook
Member Comments