When fishing worms.....

[fish_4_all]

how do you rig them? I am getting a couple boxes or red worms going to use for gills, crappie, perch and whatever else and I was wondering how everyone puts them on the hook? When I fish for trout I thread a 1.5 inch piece onto the hook and try to keep it straight. I have tried this in lakes that have a lot of panfish and they do not seem to like to hit it rigged that way.

My thought would be to simply gob it onto a #6-10 hook hooking it 2-3 times to keep it on.

[deathb4disco]

I don't use them much anymore but, when I do, I hook them once through the tail. I think they live longer and have better action that way.

[GCD]

For big bull 'Gills and Shellcrackers: ultra lite spinning tackle, 4 lb. test, #6 hook, 1 or 2 BB shot 12-18" from the hook 3" worm hooked once thru the collar. Cast out and let sink to the bottom.

[Jubs]

For perch and trout (I haven't really tried using worms for gills or the like for years as I was testing jigs out this year for them since I just started tying them) I have better luck here using a worm threader than bunching them up. My fishing partner did the glob thing where he was hooking them a few times in a gob on the hook and I was outfishing him 2-4:1 depending on the day.

I have noticed something strange with the trout here as well, it seems like the more chewed up and ratty the worm is the more bites I get on them as opposed to a fresh intact worm.

The last few times I have fished I was trout and perch fishing and I went through less than 5 full night crawlers the last time I was using worms and caught about 20-30 perch and 2 trout that day, using a worm threader definitely saves me a lot of worms. The setup I was running is a 3 hook tight line setup with a casting sinker on the bottom like a drop shot but using leaders off the main line. It was setup with a #6 aberdeen with half a crawler, about 7"-8" up from the weight and about 5"-6" up from that I had a jig and another 5"-6" from that was another aberdeen hook with half a crawler. Hooks and jig were attached to the main line using Bear paw leader attachments and the leaders were less than 4" long, Bear paws were spaced so the hook above was about 3/4"-1" from touching the bear paw below.

When I slip bobber fish I use a threader as well, with the longer leader a lot of times the worm slides up the leader out of the fish's mouth and incurs less damage and I usually get several fish out of one worm this way as well. I attach my hooks to the leader using Palomar knots so there is less bulk than snelling the hooks as well.

[CrappieCatcher27]

For panfish, I would just use 1 red wiggler and thread it all the way straight thru the worm than out the side and loop it through the hook point a time or two.

[notpc1]

I use a Totr jig and about 1/4 in. piece of red worm under a 1/2 in. cork when we fish for Gills.Works great on Gills here in N.Y. and in Fl.

[Pat]

We use nightcrawlers cut up into four pieces and just "gobbed" on the hook with good success......

[azslabber]

I think that it depends on what size bluegills that you are catching.If they are small I thread my worms on the hook,or else the worm is gone,if they are larger I like to hook them wacky style right through the center 2 times and let the ends flutter around.

[Flyrod Man]

Nightcrawler Tip: Worms can live in the ground or water, but not mud. To toughen your nightcrawlers for use, wash them (all dirt off) after you take them out of your bed the night b4 using them, and place in a jar filled with water and put in the frig overnight. When using change water evry cpl hours, or keep in your minnow bucket or livewell. Unused worms can be put back into the beding at the end of the day. Also in water, nice and clean when using. Try it.

[shipahoy41]

.....if they are larger I like to hook them wacky style right through the center 2 times and let the ends flutter around.

That works in the south. Work good for Bream, Shellcracker, Perch and Catfish. I don't worry about using too much because I raise my own and have an abundant supply. To go to a bait shop you will pay almost $2.55 for just one dozen wigglers....that is if you can find a bait shop and if it is open....