Being from the UK also, Maggots were the 'go to' bait for freshwater fishing. We would use a # 16 or smaller hook under a float. The trick is to get the hook into the flat end, just under the skin,and you wont get too much juice. We had a fish in the UK called a Roach,beautiful fish, up to 3LB. It could suck the juice out of a Maggot,without moving the float.