When using minnows for bait - what is the best way to put them on the hook?

This really depends on what kind of fishing you plan on doing.  When using live bait such as minnows, you want the bait to be active, acting the way it would as if it were not on the end of a hook, since game fish are going to be attracted to what looks and acts like their natural prey.  There are 3 basic ways to bait the hook with a minnow.

If you are taking the boat out and trolling, or doing a lot of casting and reeling in, you should hook the minnow through both the upper and lower lips, going through the lower lip first and ending with the point of the hook facing up.  This way the minnow will remain in an upright position instead of looking as if it’s swimming sideways or backwards.

If you plan on fishing with a float, and a weight, the best way to hook the minnow would be through the back, but be very careful not to hook the spine and paralyze the minnow, you want it swimming around, not just laying there.  This allows the minnow to, once again, remain in a position that is natural and will be more likely to attract the attention of the game fish.

You may also want to forego the float and weight and just let the minnow swim around naturally. For this type of fishing, it’s best to hook your minnow through the tail. This gives the minnow the freedom to move as it would if it were not attached to a hook. Just remember to keep the minnow in the most natural position possible, depending on your method of fishing, and that will be the best way to bait your hook.

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