Fishing With Worms
Jul 5, 2020 14:28:09 #
I was pulling weeds in my tomato garden and found that earthworms seem to like it there. What's the best hook and how do you keep them from falling off without killing them? I plan on fishing for crappies, or whatever else comes to the hook worth catching in a lake.
Jul 5, 2020 14:44:48 #
I use barbless circle hooks, the number 8's I was able to find at Cabela's several years ago have served me well. I don't fish with worms much unless I inflate em to get em off the bottom for trout, but I just hook em through the "collar" like you would a wacky rig with a plastic. Gotta check em every once in a while because of the barbless hook, they tend to wiggle off sometimes. You could easily not inflate em and use em like that under a bobber. Also check videos on YouTube on how to fish with real worms.
Jul 5, 2020 15:04:25 #
Just1Fish wrote:
I was pulling weeds in my tomato garden and found that earthworms seem to like it there. What's the best hook and how do you keep them from falling off without killing them? I plan on fishing for crappies, or whatever else comes to the hook worth catching in a lake.
Lots of options available. How big are they? Small Aberdeen hooks work great. Small octopus hooks work well, too.
Jul 5, 2020 15:12:52 #
Jul 5, 2020 15:22:59 #
jfbanzai
Loc: Menomonie, Wisconsin
Small bait keeper hooks work great for worms. They have barbs on the shank make especially for holding the bait in place, thus the name. Hook the worm through the collar and slide it up to the barbs on the shank, the worm will be able to wiggle around and will stay in place.
Jul 5, 2020 15:24:15 #
Just1Fish wrote:
I was pulling weeds in my tomato garden and found that earthworms seem to like it there. What's the best hook and how do you keep them from falling off without killing them? I plan on fishing for crappies, or whatever else comes to the hook worth catching in a lake.
Whenever I fish with worms I buy an extra box or two and whatever is left over goes in my vegetable garden. They help produce very fertile soil conditions for growing and also give me a backup supply if needed. I let the kids dig em out to fish the ponds here behind the house from time to time.
Jul 5, 2020 15:31:14 #
Just1Fish wrote:
I was pulling weeds in my tomato garden and found that earthworms seem to like it there. What's the best hook and how do you keep them from falling off without killing them? I plan on fishing for crappies, or whatever else comes to the hook worth catching in a lake.
The following chart gives a rough idea for hook selection:
Roe, Red Worms: #12 to #4
Small Minnows (2- to 4 inches) and Leeches: #4 to 1/0
Nightcrawlers: #2 to 1/0
Medium Minnows (3- to 5 inches), Crayfish, Leopard Frogs: #2 to 3/0
Large Minnows (5- to 10 inches): 2/0 to 8/0
Jul 5, 2020 16:05:13 #
Neat! I knew I could count on you folks for a variety of tips. Now that barbless sounds like a good challenge. Never tried it. Probably because I need all the help I can get. I suppose when you feel a strike you keep on reeling as fast as you can so it won't shake the hook?
And thanks for the chart, too. I do like the idea of the keeper hooks. I've always wondered what those barbs were for. Going tackle shopping tomorrow.
And thanks for the chart, too. I do like the idea of the keeper hooks. I've always wondered what those barbs were for. Going tackle shopping tomorrow.
Jul 5, 2020 16:37:13 #
Barbless hooks you need to keep tension on the line reeling them in - slack line is your enemy and the fish's friend. With the circle hook you don't set the hook by jerking the rod, just reel in and the hook should catch in the fish's lip or jaw. There is also a side sweep you can do, but I've found that just reeling normally works real well and once you can feel the fish fighting, then you can give it a iittle sweep to make sure the hook is set. Takes a little adjusting of your attitude and reactions, but it's easy to get used to.
Jul 5, 2020 17:04:43 #
Worms are not known for catching crappie. For crappie, most use minnows. Great for catfish, bream, drum, and most other fish. A circle hook is one of the best for catching the fish, and is easy to take off the hook.
Jul 5, 2020 17:17:05 #
Fished this for years. Number 6 bait hook 3 to 4 feet of leader to a swivel with an 1/8 ounce sinker above swivel on main line. Thread open end of half a nightcrawler on to hook shaft and turn point out. Worm will lay straight on hook and before casting the half worm inflate with a hypodermic needlw or worm blower. Cast out and move it once in awhile. this very same rig works great for trolling simply cast out back of boat and troll varying your speed and boom!!!
Jul 5, 2020 17:35:51 #
Jul 5, 2020 18:32:43 #
War Eagle wrote:
But if you don't catch fish , you can eat the worms 😆
Is that "tongue in cheek"? Have you ever? Eaten worms? Intentionally? 1982. SERE training. Whoohoo! The "s" stands for survive.
Jul 5, 2020 20:05:12 #
Spiritof27 wrote:
Is that "tongue in cheek"? Have you ever? Eaten worms? Intentionally? 1982. SERE training. Whoohoo! The "s" stands for survive.
Swallowed the one in a tequila bottle once, but that looked like a meal worm 😉
Jul 5, 2020 20:37:53 #
OJdidit wrote:
Swallowed the one in a tequila bottle once, but that looked like a meal worm 😉
MEZCAL!!!
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