I use #8 circle hooks. I do it like southern young gun but I start about an inch from one end and leave about an inch hanging off the other end. I did use a size 6 hook, but the circle hooks hook a lot more gills without them shallowing it. My worms are from 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick. Of course, when you are trying to impale them they make themselves as thin as a thread.
When I fish for channel cats, I put two or three worms on a hook. So there, is a whole glob of worms.
I raise my own worms, but I think they are Canadian worms--not the red wrigglers I used when I grew up. The price of box at wally world is about 3 bucks.
Good luck.

Marion