I realize that while fishing with a live worm is probably one of the more popular ways to fish on this planet, I also see very few people doing it properly. Most anglers do one of two things. They either use a hook that's entirely too large and attempt to "thread" a worm onto said hooks or they take the same worm and hook it over and over again, thus creating what I like to call a "worm ball". While smaller and inexperienced fish will bite such a thing, larger and more experienced fish won't. Besides, how natural do either one of the aforementioned presentations look? By natural I of courser mean, how much do either of these two methods look like what naturally appears in a fishes' environment? The two methods mentioned above don't look in any way like what naturally appears is a fishes' environment, and that's the problem. My fishing mentor came up with a simple solution to this problem more than 20 years ago, and I want to pass it along to you. The solution to rigging a live worm is called a set of gang hooks. What is a set of gang hooks? A set of gang hooks is simply two small hooks, tied in tandem, and are the best and most natural way to rig a live worm. They are fairly simple to tie yourself or you can buy them, it makes no difference. The point is that if you fish with live worms, a set of gang hooks is the only way to rig them. You rig the worm by hooking the head of the worm through the top hooks, then stretching the worm out and hooking the second hook into the body. That's it, rigging a live worm is that simple. When rigged this way the worm looks completely natural while in the water. Truth be told, I actually break my worms in half and use half at a time. The bottom line is that there is no better way to rig a live worm for fishing. When you add in the use of a bait bag to carry your worms while fishing, your fishing just became a ton easier and more effective. A bait bag is simply a small bag that hangs off of your vest or belt that carry's your live fishing worms. How does this make you more effective? Simple. The more time that you can spend with your offering in the water, where the fish are, the better. Not having to fumble around for your bait gives you more time with your offering in the water, which naturally increase your odds of a hook up. Having your live worms literally hanging at your fingertips is amazingly convenient. The bottom line is that now you know hoe to rig a live worm properly. You'll be amazed at how many more and bigger fish you catch by simply using a set of gang hooks rather that a single hook. Remember what Steven Wright said of us anglers, "There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore looking like and idiot". Eliminating the "worm ball" from your fishing arsenal will help with the looking like an idiot part of the equation, I promise you that.
So what is the greatest way to rig a live worm as bait when fishing? Is one way actually better than another? Or is it good enough to simply "thread" a live worm onto a hook and be done with it? In the opinion of my fishing mentor, who was the best live worm angler that I've ever seen, there was one way that was without question, the greatest way to rig a live worm while fishing. That way was through the use of a set of gang hooks. You see, a set of gang hooks allow live worms to be presented outstretched and natural, the way God intended. Gang hooks are attached to your line using a small barrel swivel (usually size 10 or 12) to prevent line twist and then a live worm is added to the hooks. If large night crawlers are being used, simply pinch them in half. By using gang hooks and night crawlers, you effectively double the amount of bait you have as well (when night crawlers are being used). This is another reason why gang hooks are the greatest way to rig a live worm. Not only are they effective, they also get you double the bait, at least in the case of night crawlers. You see gang hooks is simply two small hooks tied in tandem, which make them absolutely perfect for presenting live worms when fishing. My fishing mentor always used gang hooks whenever he fished with live bait, especially live worms. He also believed in using light line and ultra light rods and reels. Although many anglers think that large fish can't be caught in this manner, he regularly caught trout in the four to five pound class out of rivers and streams that got a lot of fishing pressure. As I said earlier, he was the best live worm angler that I've ever seen. To be accurate, he was the best ultra light angler I've ever seen, and live worms we're his bait of choice. The bottom line is that the greatest way to rig a live worm is a set of gang hooks, whether those gang hooks be purchased ready to fish or tied yourself. How you get a hold of them is really of little importance. What's important is that you begin using them sooner rather than later. I've personally been using gang hooks to fish with live worms since I was introduced to them by my fishing mentor more than 20 years ago, and can testify that they work. Once you give them a shot for the first time, you'll be as hooked as the fish. I know that's what happened to me. Gang hooks are attached to your line using a small barrel swivel, which helps prevent line twist. If split shot sinkers are added above the barrel swivel, and then this rig (with a live worms attached) is allowed to flow naturally with the current of a river or stream, the results can be amazing. The goal is to add enough weight to get your offering to bounce along the bottom as it flows naturally with the current. When live worms are fished in this manner, it becomes the greatest way to rig and fish a live worm, and its all due to the simple and effective gang hook setup.
Trevor Kugler has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Fishing and Fishing. 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. Trevor Kugler's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.