Baiting a hook isn't a complicated thing to do. As a matter of fact, It's simple. The problem is that most anglers don't know how to bait a hook, especially when it comes to our friends live worms. Live worms are probably the most popular bait used for fishing on the entire planet, yet the way hooks are baited with live worms has remained to same for eons. This perplexes me because there are much more effective ways to use live worms as bait that are quite simple.

First of all, let's discuss how hooks currently get baited with live worms. The process normally goes something like this: The angler goes to the store and buys a package of hooks (usually size 4 or larger), either snelled or just plain hooks and goes fishing. If snelled hooks are being used the line is either tied directly to the Snell or a snap swivel is added and then clipped onto the Snell. If plain hooks are being employed, then a single hook is tied onto the fishing line. At this point a live worm is added, usually by attempting to thread the worm onto the hook or by simply hooking the worm over and over again so not too much of it is hanging off of the hook. These are the two ways that I see worms being presented as bait.

My question is this: Do you think either of these ways of presenting a live worm is the most effective or best way to do it? Of course not, and the biggest reason for this is the fact that live worms don't appear this way in nature. When's the last time you saw a worm ball in nature (by the way, a worm ball is what's created when a live worm is hooked over and over again onto a single hook). Worm Balls don't appear in nature. If you see a worm in nature, it appears outstretched, the way God intended. So for this reason, live worms should be presented in an outstretched and natural manner when being used as bait also.

So, how can live worms be presented in an outstretched an natural manner? By employing a very simple thing known as a set of gang hooks. A set of gang hooks is simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem that enables anglers to present live worms in an outstretched and natural manner. Barrel swivels are used to attach the pre-tied set of gang hooks to your fishing line. The bottom line I that when using live worms as fishing bait, gang hooks need to be used, it only makes sense. Whether you tie the hooks yourself or purchase them pre-tied and ready to fish makes little difference. What's important is that you start using them sooner, rather than later.

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!

Pre-Tied Gang Hooks: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp

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