Sometimes a toothpick is nice because it gives you something to grab onto, but here's a tip I learned from a buddy. If you use pieces of uncooked spaghetti noodles in place of the toothpicks they last long enough for the bacon to "set" then cook so you don't have a toothpick that needs to be removed. I use them for ABT's, dove and duck breasts, bacon wrapped anything really. Works great!