Anglers that fish with live bait know that using it helps increase their catches of all types of gamefish. But the keen angler understands that using healthy, lively bait will help them out perform everyone else, even when the fishing is tough.
Bait such as leeches should always be stored in a cool environment such as a fridge or cold room. Their water should be changed regularly to ensure they stay healthy, remove any that look unhealthy. Look for leeches that are swimming vigorously in your bait bucket, and hook them slightly through the sucker end. This will allow the leech to live longer, swim freely and attract more fish when dangling under a slipbobber or on the end or a live bait rig.
As for worms, again store them in a cool environment in a moist but not soaked worm bedding. A couple of days before heading out fishing, soak some newspaper in water and then squeeze out the excess until a few drops come out. Open the newspaper and place it in your bait cooler. Place 5 or 6 worms on top of the newspaper then place another layer on top of them. Continue this process until you have enough layers of worms for your trip. Place your worms in a fridge and let them sit for about 2 days. By following these steps you wont beleive how lively and big your worms are when you remove them from the fridge and youll see that theyre ready for action. Theyll also live longer and look better to that unsuspecting walleye that is looking at your jig. When youre done your trip, place the worms back in the regular worm bedding.
The key to bait is to keep it cool, remove any dead or unhealthy bait, change water or bedding when needed and in the case of worms, dont let them get soaking wet.
Good Luck and Good Fishin