A live eel hook-insertion device. A hand-operated unit is disclosed that generally comprises a T-handle/trigger driving a spring-mounted plunger through a housing, an open-ended eel nesting tube at one end of the housing and defined by a lateral notch, and a distal yoke on the plunger for immobilizing an eel within the nesting tube. The T-handle trigger is actuated to trap the eel, whereupon a hook can be easily inserted into the eel. The nesting tube is further defined by a lengthwise notch to allow extraction of fishing line if the eel backs out of the nesting tube with hook attached. In use, the device is inserted into a bait well full of eels and the nesting tube is placed flat against the bottom. One eel will enter the nesting tube, whereupon the yoke is distended to trap the eel against the floor of the nesting tube. A hook with attached fishing line is inserted through the notch of the nesting tube and the eel is thereby hooked. A stationery hook-insertion device is also disclosed, and this comprises a hopper formed with a drain hole and an external neck at the drain hole, an articulated mounting bracket for the hopper, a tubular chute connected to the neck of the hopper and protruding downward therefrom, and a constricted yoke at the distal end of the tubular chute for immobilizing an eel inside said tubular chute with a portion of the eel protruding outward through the yoke for hook insertion. The eels tend to slide through the hole in the hopper and down the chute, extending its lips out of the chute for hooking the eel. Both disclosed embodiments eliminate the need to chase, catch, handle, or untangle live eels thus making this whole process of baiting them quick, clean, and easy.