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Step 1
Hook your night crawlers through the thick end. When fishing for species such as smallmouth and largemouth bass use a number four hook and push it through the thickest end of the crawler about 1/2-inch from its end. Then thread it through once more, approximately 1/2-inch from that spot. Repeat this once more so that the night crawler is secured on the hook, with the remainder of the night crawler dangling. This type of set up is also attractive to perch.
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Step 2
Secure the night crawler all the way up the hook if you want to cast your bait far. The dangling set up described above is not conducive to casting a long ways because the weight of the dangling end will cause the night crawler to rip off the hook when you attempt to cast it. If you need to get your bait out a long ways into a lake or pond then thread the hook throughout the crawler until it is almost in a ball.
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Step 3
Use a much smaller hook when fishing with earthworms. These worms are considerably smaller than a night crawler and lack the "meaty" end to sink a hook into securely. Using a number two hook is much more prudent. Thread it through the worm two times and then thread it through the other end of the worm once. This type of rig will catch panfish and trout.
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Step 4
Take your hook and push it through a shiner or minnow right behind the dorsal fin. Shiners and minnows are used by ice fisherman and other warm-water anglers as well. While many will hook the shiner in the lip it is much less likely to get off the hook under its own power when hooked through the upper back just in the rear of its upper fin. Push the hook through gently and out the other side.
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Step 5
Texas rig a rubber worm or lizard. The Texas rig is the most popular way to hook rubber creature baits since it can be fished in heavy weeds without snagging. Slip a small bullet sinker onto your fishing line with the pointed end going up the line towards your pole. Tie a worm hook to the line and then push your hook through the upper part of the bait and then make it come out about 1/4-inch from the top. Pull it through and then push the sharp end into the bait so that the hook is buried in the bait.
