Learn how to put every common type of bait on your hook! Guidance on when to use each one is also included, but be sure to ask an experienced angler or staff at a fishing shop for more knowledge. Continue reading to learn every technique from worming to making durable bridles for live fish bait.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Live Feed
Step 1. Use worms and worm droppings when in doubt
This bait is often used in various types of fishing. Use worm droppings in fresh water and worm blood or worm sand in salt water. Mealworms and other live grubs are usually used for trout or bass.
- Pierce a few small worms or cut worms in half to hide the hook in the many moving worms. Some hooks have a smaller hook on the side for this purpose.
- For large worms, stick one worm on the hook until it is mostly or completely hidden.
- For very large worms, poke the hook in several parts of the body. Allow the ends to wiggle and attract fish.
Step 2. Use minnows as a general fish bait or specialize in other variations
Many fish eat small fish, but make sure you choose a fish that is large enough for your target fish to eat. Ask the hook shop what type of fish your target fish eats.
- If you pull the hook behind a moving boat, hook the fish from under its jaws and out from above its mouth, or just through its upper jaw to lure big fish. Alternatively, you can attach a hook to both nostrils. This hook method will maximize the fish's ability to swim in a natural motion so that it attracts predatory fish.
- To fish while still or moving slowly, hook the bait fish behind it, just in front of its dorsal fin. Hook under the spine to prevent the fish from becoming paralyzed. This allows the fish to swim with full force and point downwards, attracting attention. You can adjust the depth by placing the hook further forward on the dorsal fin; this will allow the fish to swim with a shallower downward angle.
- If you are free fishing (fishing is stationary, with no floats or ballast), you can hook the bait near the tail to make it swim forward. To force it to swim down, hook it inside its mouth and out through the gills.
Step 3. Lure several species with crayfish
Fish attracted to crayfish are smallmouth sea bass, catfish, and walleye.
- Insert the hook shallowly through the back or front of the shrimp, and pull it back out from the same side. Don't go deeper than necessary to get under the main shell, or you may kill the shrimp.
- Another option, put the hook on the fleshy tail. This will be able to hide most of the hook and will not be exposed to the vital organs of the crayfish. Start at the end of the tail and push the hook out before the body.
Step 4. Use shrimp when you fish in salt water near the shore
Shrimp is an inexpensive and common bait eaten by many marine fish, including redfish, jacks, and groupers. There are anatomical similarities to crayfish, but you may need a smaller hook for minor variations.
- Hook through the body or through the flesh of the tail.
- Remove some of the shell to make the smell from the shrimp stronger.
Step 5. Lure freshwater fish with insects
During summer when insects are abundant, sailors can catch insects from the ground or young nymphs below the surface of the water to ensure bait that is part of the fish's diet. Trout are especially attracted to insects.
- Insects should be handled with care, as they are easily killed when hooked.
- Tie a thin, flexible wire to the sharp end of the hook, then wrap it carefully around the insect to attach it to the hook.
- If you can't attach it to the wire, hook it through the back of the body. The vital organs of insects are usually located at the front and should be avoided. It doesn't matter which way the insect is facing.
Method 2 of 4: Using Dead or Artificial Bait
Step 1. Use dead fish to attract smelly fish
This includes many saltwater fish such as sea trout and bluefish, as well as freshwater fish such as carp and catfish.
- If you're fishing from one spot (still fishing), cut the fish into pieces that are thick enough to hide most of the hook.
- If you're pulling the fishing rod behind a moving boat, cut the fish into long, thin, V-shaped strips. Thread the hook through the thicker part so that the moving strip mimics a swimming fish.
Step 2. Fishing with crayfish tails in fresh or brackish water and shrimp tails in salt water
Any fish that hunts crayfish, such as pike or catfish, can be attracted by the tail which is severed with the hook inserted in the fleshy center. The same hook process can be used to attract marine fish using shrimp tail bait.
Step 3. Make doughballs for your fish species
The popular doughballs can be purchased at many labeled stores, and can dance to sea bass, trout, or other specific species. You can also make your own doughballs by boiling water, flour, cornstarch, and sugar syrup for a few minutes, then refrigerating. Sailors add anything from cheese to onions to this recipe to appeal to individual fish species.
Shape the patch into a ball that covers the entire hook. Press in place so that the hook is completely hidden. Several hooks are included per cord to help the doughball stay in place
Step 4. Use clams and other fine meats
Shells are great for attracting fish in their territory. Scallops, mussels, liver, and other delicate meats should be left out in the sun to harden before use, or pre-frozen and partially thawed.
- When the meat is hardened, pierce the meat on the hook in as many different places as possible. Hide the hook in the meat.
- If it still doesn't stick to the hook or you suspect the fish might eat it and leave, use twine or wire to tie it together.
Step 5. Purchase artificial bait at the correct size
You can find artificial baits that sink, float, or just sit still beneath the surface. Adding to turning it into something fish love, you can find artificial baits designed to lure certain species by smell or appearance.
To hook a standard artificial “worm”, thread the hook through the mouth of the bait until the front reaches the eye of the hook. Push the end of the hook through the worm's stomach
Method 3 of 4: Creating Restraints
Step 1. Learn how to use restraints
The bridle is tied between the hook and bait fish to keep the bait fish alive for a long time and to increase the chances of a good catch, as it is difficult to pull the reins.
Restraints are commonly used when saltwater fishing to catch larger fish, as bait for large fish is difficult to replace and easier to manipulate
Step 2. Use thick synthetic fishing thread or silk rigging
Thick Dacron straps (also known as Terylene or Lavsan outside the United States) may also work well. Do not use a thin line as this can directly cut the bait fish.
Step 3. Tie the ends of the yarn together
Make circles” to” (6mm to 12 mm), or “tail”, pop.
Step 4. Pull the ties as tightly as possible
Connect the two ends of the loop to tighten the knot as tightly as possible without pulling the tail.
Step 5. Use a match to melt the ends of the string (optional)
Hold the match over the two ends until it melts enough to not pass through the knot.
Pull your hoop as hard as you can to make sure it doesn't separate
Step 6. Prepare to tie your reins on the hook
Place the hook on the bridle, laying it on a flat place. Follow the next steps to secure the two together if you don't know how to tie the “cow hitch”.
The end bond portion shall be positioned close above the bottom of the "J" hook (or the base of the "O" for loop hooks), with the remainder of the reins passing through the bottom of the hook and extending below the J
Step 7. Pass the final loop over the fishing hook and under the tie
This should go over the top of the J bend on the fishing hook and line the two sides of the string next to the end of the tie.
Step 8. Pinch tightly
Tie the loose part of the thread so that the thread is tight on the J bend on the fishing hook.
Step 9. Tighten the reins in place
Loop the side closest to the end of the hook over the hook and pull it tight against the tie. This keeps it from sliding off the hook.
Make a second hook like this if you want to make it even tighter
Step 10. Prepare to paste live bait
Many sailors prepare bridles and hooks in several sizes to get them ready for any size fish they happen to catch. You can also bring your own bait or practice with dead bait to get used to it.
Method 4 of 4: Restraint of Live Bait
Step 1. Prepare your restraints in advance
If the live bait needs to stay alive and look natural for as long as possible, you can attach it with a secure restraint instead of damaging the hook.
Ask a more experienced angler to make a bridle for you, or follow the instructions to make a bridle for yourself
Step 2. Place the hook on the live bait
You can do this over the eye joint or over the eye (not through the eye), or through the hole in the back near the head.
You can use an “open eye live bait needle” instead of a hook needle
Step 3. Attach the reins and pull them back
Use the tip of the needle to catch the loop end of the bridle and pull on the fish.
Keep the circle so the fish wiggle doesn't pull it out again
Step 4. Insert the hook through the circle on the opposite side of the fish
Now you can remove the thread and hold the hook and fish.
Step 5. Twist the hook several times
This makes the loose thread stronger and brings the hook closer to the fish. Do this until there is only a small gap between the fish head and the string.
Step 6. Place the hook past the distance between the fish and the loop
Insert the end of the hook between the two sides of the tie, just above the fish's head.
Step 7. Remove the fishing line and carefully dip the bait into the water
If the bridle is set up properly, you should be able to use your live bait for hours without blurring yourself out or dying. However, let's hope you catch something before it happens!
Tips
- Ask someone at the hook shop if you're not sure what type of bait to use in your area.
- If your bait keeps coming off your hook, replace the hook with a hook with more spines, or a hook with a better size and shape that meets your fishing needs.
- Hold your fishing rod firmly and remove enough fishing line to hold the hook.
