Fishing worms, what are fishing worms? Are they the multi colored pieces of plastic formed into the shape of a worm used by Largemouth bass anglers or are they the creatures that live in the ground and eat dirt? When it comes to fishing, a fishing worm has to be the creature that lives in the ground and has been universally known as fishing bait since the dawn of time in my opinion. As a matter of fact when a live worm is fished in the proper manner, their use can be considered every bit the art form that those people who wave feathers back and forth consider their form of fishing to be. In my opinion the flea flickers have cornered the market on the term ‘art’ long enough. If I had my way, I don’t think the guys using the multi colored pieces of plastic attached to 20 pound test should have the market cornered on the term ‘worm fishing’ either.
So what is the proper way to present a fishing worm? The best way to present a live fishing worm as bait is through the use of a set of gang hooks. Size 8 or 10 are usually perfect for live worms. What is a set of gang hooks? A set of gang hooks is simply two hooks tied in tandem. This enables you (the angler) to present the worm outstretched and naturally. When rigged on a set of gang hooks the worm looks as it would without ant hooks in it! This is obviously an incredible advantage to you (the angler). The more natural you bait looks, the more likely a fish is to bite it.
Now that I’ve explained the best way to rig a fishing worm, I’ll also tell you the best way to carry fishing worms with you. For many years I carried my Styrofoam container of worms with my while fishing. I stuffed it in my vest pocket, or whatever and it was really inconvenient. Then I fashioned my own bait bag for carrying my worms. It was great. Then I simply started removing my fishing worms from the Styrofoam container, placing them into my bait bag, and going fishing. It was awesome, and is now the way I carry my live fishing worms. The worms just sit there, in the bait bag that’s hanging on my vest, waiting to be used! This way your fishing worms are literally, “at your fingertips”. Fashion yourself or purchase yourself a bait bag, and you’ll never fish with live worms without one, I promise you that.
Fishing worms have been known to be wonderful fishing bait since man first started fishing, and if you begin employing these techniques, coupled with the use of ultra light fishing gear, fishing with live worms becomes every bit the art form that any other fishing technique claims itself to be. Remember what Steven Wright said of all of us anglers: “There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore looking like an idiot.” This is very true, and one of my goals is simply to avoid being the person standing on the shore looking like an idiot!
By: Trevor Kugler
Posts Tagged ‘Hooks’
Fishing Worms
April 26th, 2010River Fishing – Smallmouth Bass
April 21st, 2010
River fishing for Smallmouth Bass can be a ton of fun. Many anglers may not realize it, but smallmouth bass can be fished for in much the same way that trout are. You can put on your waders, fishing vest, and polarized sunglasses, then grab your ultra light rod and go fishing for smallmouth bass, just like you do for trout. Smallmouth bass can even be caught using many of the same techniques.
If you’re a live bait angler, as I am, Smallmouth bass offer me a great way to keep my angling skills sharp for trophy trout (at least that’s how I look at it). Smallmouth Bass are widely considered to be the hardest fighting fish, pound for pound that swims in freshwater. I don’t know if this is really true, because I’ve met many rainbow trout with “skills”, but smallmouth can definitely hold their own. You couple the tenacity of a smallmouth with the current in a river, and you’ve got a recipe for a great time!
One of the best techniques that can be used to catch smallmouth in rivers is to use a live worm. Sure hellgrammites and minnows work well too, but for me a live worm rigged on a set of gang hooks is hard to beat. You see, a set of gang hooks is simply two small hooks tied in tandem, which presents a live worm in a completely natural manner. When you use a set of #10 gang hooks, it’s hard to tell there arn’t even hooks in the worm. And if a human being has a hard time seeing the hooks, doesn’t it stand to reason that the fish won’t be able to see the hooks either?
Lures can also be used to catch smallmouth bass in rivers. Spinners and spoons are a great choice. Colors used will vary depending on conditions and experimentation is always the key to lure fishing. Frog imitations are usually a good idea and red and white spoons/spinners always seem to produce well. Another great lure for smallmouth is a jig. A jig with a Powerbait twister tail will sometimes out fish live bait, especially when fishing for smallmouth bass in rivers. Again, for the right color, experimentation is the key.
If you’re in an are of the country where there are smallmouth bass, don’t forget to put of your waders, fill your bait bag with worms, grab your gang hooks, and go fishing for them in rivers. Whether you do it for the shear enjoyment of a good fight or so stay in shape for trout fishing, the point is that catching smallmouth bass in rivers makes for a great time.
By: Trevor Kugler
Crappie Fishing Tips
April 20th, 2010
This article will explain some simple crappie fishing tips that will enable you to catch more crappie. This article will focus on anglers that don’t have a boat, because for most of my fishing life, I’ve been in exactly that predicament. No boat to help you get to the “right” areas. The first thing to understand is that most areas throughout the United States have accessible crappie fishing water for those of us without the help of a boat. On many lakes and reservoirs there are man made piers that provide excellent crappie fishing opportunities. Your local bait shop should be able to point you in the right direction. Once you locate your local fishing pier, and know that people fish for crappie there, follow these tips, to help you catch them.
A crappie’s favorite meal is live minnows, there’s no doubt about that. You’re going to want some small jigs in a variety of colors as well, but a crappies favorite meal is a live minnow. Therefore you’re going to need a minnow bucket to keep and carry your minnows. Once you have a couple of dozen live minnows, you’re ready to head to the fishing pier.
The best time to catch crappie is at night. Under certain conditions they can be caught all the time, but as a general rule, most anglers fish for crappie off of these piers at night. The first trick, as you will quickly find out, is to position a light above the water once night falls. There are “crappie lights” that a person can purchase, or you can simply attach a propane lantern to a rope, lower in off of the pier, and position it right above the water. The purpose of doing this is to attract bugs and small underwater creatures to the light. That, in turn attracts bait fish to feed on the bugs and small underwater creatures. That, in turn, attract larger fish (such as crappie) to feed on the baitfish. You then lower your live minnow, attached to a bobber, into the water and wait.
What about rigging your live minnow? What’s the best way to do this? A set of #8 or 10 gang hooks is the best way to rig a live minnow. A set of gang hooks is simply two small hooks tied in tandem. You simply hook the minnow’s lips through the top hook and leave the trailing hook alone. As long as you’re using size 8 or 10 hooks, they won’t be noticed by the fish. When crappie fishing, the minnow must be alive and swimming around under your bobber. If the minnow is hooked in a manner which doesn’t keep it alive long, you’re just wasting the money you spend on bait. Hooking it through the lips keeps the minnow alive for a very long time, and presents it in a completely natural manner. A set of gang hooks is the best way to present your minnow to the crappie, and with two hooks, will increase your hook up rate as well.
These simple tips will help you catch more crappie, and we all know why we want to catch more crappie. These little black and white fish are absolutely delicious. We fish for some fish for the fight or their beauty, but crappie? We fish for crappie so that they can grace our dinner table. Crappie are easily one of the best tasting fish that can be caught in freshwater.
By: Trevor Kugler
