In the recent years with red hooks etc. most people say the exposed hook doesn't matter. I'm trying to get that through my head. I was always tought as a kid to cover the hook. Anyone else taught this way. I know its about keeping the bait alive but I struggle with it still.

I've caught bluegills on bare hooks when they are spawning. I don't think it matters

I always have the hook exposed when I'm fishing for panfish. Even crappie fishing in trees I'd rather lose some baits than miss the fish when they bite. I've never felt like it reduced the number of bites at all. 

The only way I fish for panfish (yellow perch, bluegills, and other misc. things like crappie, and rock bass) is with an exposed hook drop shotting small plastics....................I catch them nonstop one after another until it's boring, and have even caught them on a bare hook...............so in short, it doesn't matter.

I have caught them with the hook exposed and with the hook buried.  I don't think it matters if the fish are in a biting mood.

I always used an exposed hook when using wax worms for gills.

You will not have a problem with an exposed hook. The reason for "covering" a hook with bait, is predicated upon the dead stick method of fishing. You toss out the bait and let it sit there on the bottom, until it gets taken. Not applicable to a moving bait.

Some of the best gill fishing I ever did was with a # 4 bait hook/half a crawler/no weight or bobber. Just toss  and let it sink.Often the larger more aggressive ones will be caught first.I`m about ready to catch a mess.They taste  good from cold water.

C22

 

Catch 22 I love bass fishing but your right about how good gills in cold water taste.