Abstract: A method for repairing a hook hole in a piece of plastic bait. The method including the steps of heating a tip, inserting the heated tip into the hook hole in a piece of plastic bait, holding the heated tip in the hook hole for sufficient time to melt the plastic in the marginal edges of the hole, removing the heated tip from the hole, and compressing the plastic bait in the region of the hole to close the hole. The apparatus for repairing the hook hole in a piece of plastic bait including a handle, a tip extending from the handle, the tip sized to be insertable into the hook hole in a piece of plastic bait; and means for heating the tip to a sufficient temperature so that when the tip is inserted in the hook hole in the plastic bait, it melts enough plastic in the marginal regions around the hook hole that the hole can be closed when the tip is removed.