| The title of this article may sound a bit strange. You | | | | fashioned a bait bag from an old sock 20 years ago, |
| don't normally expect the terms 'live worm' and 'art' | | | | but today there are much more functional versions |
| to be used in the same sentence, but I figure if the | | | | available. You see a bait bag carries your worms |
| term 'art' can be related to flea flicking, why not with | | | | while you fish, so you always know exactly where |
| live worm fishing as well? You see, about 20 years | | | | they are and the are literally at your fingertips, |
| ago, I had the pleasure of knowing the best live | | | | waiting to be used. Baiting up takes seconds when a |
| worm fisherman that I've personally ever seen, and | | | | bait bag is being employed, as opposed to searching |
| he taught me some fishing tips and techniques that, | | | | for your worms every time that you need to bait up. |
| in my opinion, made him an artist. Much of his fishing | | | | The art of live worm fishing includes the use of some |
| was done in the flowing waters of both rivers and | | | | manifestation of a bait bag, in my opinion. |
| streams for species such as trout, smallmouth bass, | | | | - The Use Of Gang Hooks - The art of live worm |
| and walleye. I've been using these same tips and | | | | fishing entails more than just "threading" a worm |
| techniques since they were taught to me more than | | | | onto a hook. To be an effective live worm |
| 20 years ago, and they work. These tips and | | | | fisherman, a set of pre-tied gang hooks must be |
| techniques constitute, The Art of Live Worm Fishing. | | | | employed. You see, pre tied gang hooks are the only |
| - Light Gear And Line - My fishing mentor believed in | | | | way to present live worms in a natural manner, which |
| using light gear and line when fishing with live worms. | | | | is an integral part of becoming a truly effective live |
| As a matter of fact, he believed in ultra light gear | | | | worm fisherman. Using a live worm, rigged on a set |
| (which is what I prefer to use), but light is tolerable | | | | of pre tied gang hooks and allowing your offering to |
| as well. As far as fishing line is concerned, my mentor | | | | flow naturally with the current, while it bounces along |
| used four pound test monofilament (which again is | | | | the bottom, is the most deadly fish catching rig in the |
| what I use to this day), but line up to six pound test | | | | world. I've been using this exact technique for my |
| is also tolerable. The theory being that fish have very | | | | entire fishing career, and it never fails me. Gang |
| sensitive senses and can detect line in the water, so | | | | hooks and live worms go together like the computer |
| the lighter the line, the less apt the fish are to detect | | | | and the internet. You can't have one, without the |
| it and become wary. I've actually been fishing with six | | | | other...right? |
| pound test leaders and wasn't catching anything, so I | | | | The bottom line is that when done properly, live |
| changed to four pound test leaders. I immediately | | | | worm fishing can be everything that any other art |
| began catching fish, so after this experience, I know | | | | professes itself to be. I've always said that if flea |
| that the diameter of your fishing line makes a huge | | | | flicking is an art, so is the way I was taught to fish. |
| difference. | | | | As I said, my fishing mentor, the man who taught |
| - Be Efficient - My fishing mentor believed in being as | | | | me these tips and techniques, was an artist. He took |
| efficient as possible when on the water, which is | | | | live worm fishing to the realm of being an art form. |
| why he employed a bait bag to carry his worms. He | | | | |