Just a plain old stick would work. why do you think it's called punch bait.

I say use a stick.....can buy a huge box of popsicle sticks cheap.....or an old spoon.......or WTH....just hold it and plunge it in there to load it up. I just keep it on ice to keep it firm. If it starts getting juicy just drink that liquid part and get back to work dipping the hooks into the solid.

I use #4 hooks without a dough spring and it works great. Haven't tried Marvs yet....Like the Danny King garlic but can't seem to find it locally.

catfish son knows what he's talking about

What is "punch bait"?

Another type of catfish bait--works really well if its cool so it stays on the hook. Here is the link to one of the popular brands

http://www.dannykingbait.com/

You gotta chew on the bait a little, then swash it around in your mouth and spit it into the palm of your hand...

Nah, just joking. I use the pliers too. If you don't know what punch bait is, go buy some and try it out using advice on how to use it from this thread. It works great.

Every time you visit a hardware store ask for some paint sticks. They are free and work great for punch bait. I've used ziploc baggies (as psuedo gloves), surgical gloves and dishwashing gloves to 'pack' the punch bait into a nice little tight ball. This allows you to cast the bait a little farther without it falling apart. Colder weather is better since the bait is already much harder.

I used to pack it with my bare hand but ... well ... uh ... that just got plain nasty.

Punch Baits like DK and JPigg are great right out of the package. Sure Shot can be kinda wet and loose in hot weather so packing this bait onto the hook might be necessary if you need to cast it a ways. Premo is good on a treble but you should probably cut a 1/2 inch piece of tube worm and place that on the hook first. Looper Rigs (google it) are good for this kind of bait as well.

JAC

Do you find any difference in the amount of strikes you get when using punch bait in the pantyhose? I dont really have a big problem keeping it on the hook but if it will not effect the number of strikes I say why not keep it on the hook longer?

I use a lot of dannyking punch bait. One day I took a long screwdriver and ground a small notch in the blade with a dremel tool. It makes a great punch tool. The notch catches the hook and punches it into the bait. But the bait does not stick all over the slick screwdriver like it does a stick. It is easy to clean when the day is done. I just throw it in the splash well of the boat for storage.