A fishing lure, which may be a jig, rig, spinnerbait, crankbait, plug or the like, includes a bait saving fish hook, which includes a wire strand resilient bait guard. The bait guard includes a pair of hook-shaped attachment portions that engage the eyelet of the fish hook. A collar with ends having interdigitating teeth securely clamps the attachment portion of the bait guard to the shank of the fish hook. The bait saving fishing hook facilitates use of natural bait with a lure, which imparts lure movement to the natural bait and heightens arousal of predatory fish.
