Wiggly worm wisdom

Of all the baits available to freshwater anglers, few have launched more fishing careers (casual or pro) than earthworms. Widely available and easy to use, these wiggly ground dwellers define “simplicity,” as you need nothing more than than a light rod with a bobber, split shot (optional) and a small hook for a fun day at the pond, river bank or canal.

Earthworm species vary by region, but ask any inland bait shop owner for live worms and they’ll hand you a Styrofoam or cardboard tub filled with dark, moist bedding similar to a gardener’s potting soil. Remove the top, give the tub a tight shake and the soil will burst to life with pink to reddish brown forms that offer one of the most effective baits you’ll ever find.

Bluegill and other sunfish simply cannot resist fresh earthworms, while juvenile bass looking for easy meals readily gobble them. Advanced walleye trolling tactics also make good use of earthworms, but for our purposes, we’ll stick to the more beginner-friendly pursuits.

Just Enough

Practically speaking, earthworms make cost-effective baits because, unlike crickets or minnows, which are fished whole, each worm can yield multiple gait pieces. That’s the strategy point most beginners miss — you don’t need to use the entire worm. In fact, for panfish and other smaller targets, it’s best if you don’t.

Bluegill, probably the most common panfish species, are notorious nibblers. Give them a full worm and they’ll peck away until there’s nothing left without ever touching the hook. Your bobber will bob, but when you try to set the hook — nobody home.

Use small worm pieces, about the size of a pencil eraser, right on the point of a No. 6-8 long shank Aberdeen hook and you’ll force the fish to grab the hardware. This way, when you see that bobber move, you’re more likely to have a fish actually mouthing the hook.

Pocket knives or small scissors make it easy to cut your worm into bite size pieces, but if you lack these tools, just lay the worm on the container’s lid, hold the hook by the shank and use the bottom of the bend to cut off worm pieces. Slip one of these pieces onto the hook and lightly insert the point into the bait’s side to hold it in place. 

Simply toss the rig toward likely areas like weed edges, dock shadows, or anywhere you’ve visually spotted panfish. When the bobber submerges, or suddenly runs off, reel to come tight on the fish and then smoothly work the fish to your dip net.

Note: If you’re targeting catfish, rainbow trout or smaller white bass, bundling one or more full worms onto your hook serves your objective. The bigger fish typically gobble bigger mouthfuls, so run your hook through the worm(s) multiple times to form an enticing cluster.

The Big Swim

It’s not unheard of for tournament quality largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass to grab full-size earthworms and when they do, the fight may be more than your light panfish setup can effectively handle. If you see or suspect sizable bass in your area, switch to medium or medium-heavy spinning tackle with 8- to 10-pound fluorocarbon or monofilament line and use a No. 2/0-3/0 finesse style hook (light wire, super sharp).

Nose hook the worm by inserting the hook about half an inch from the tip and run it all the way through, so the worm rests in the hook bend. Adding a split shot 6 inches above the hook allows for plenty of casting distance with maximum wiggling motion on the retrieve. Reel just fast enough to keep the bait off the bottom and any hungry bass in the area will not be able to resist.

For deeper presentations, fish a full earthworm on a Carolina rig. Start by slipping a red plastic rigging bead onto your main line, then add a 1/2-ounce slip sinker, followed by another bead. Tie your line to a swivel and add a 12- to 18-inch leader of 10-pound monofilament with a No. 2/0-3/0 long shank hook.

Texas rig the largest earthworm you have by inserting the hook about 1/4-inch into the head, bringing the point out the side, and sliding the hook through until the eye rests against the worm’s head. Finish by reinserting the hook into the worm for a weedless presentation.

Find Your Own

Finding your own natural bait minimizes startup cost, but more importantly, this activity enhances the fishing experience — especially for kids.

Consider where moisture settles and you’ll find the soft, damp habitat earthworms prefer. I typically start with garden or patio areas and lift bricks, pavers and any storage or trash bins. Anything that sits for a couple days or more is likely to have worms sheltering at or near the surface.

Also check under leaf litter, especially when it’s near a building. And if your air conditioner’s condenser drain is near by, you can just about count on worms working this perpetually moist area.

Wherever you look, a garden spade or even a tablespoon will help you scoot away surface soil or leaf litter and dig out any worms you spot. Earthworms typically occur near pre-dug tunnels for quick retreats, so you gotta be quick. If a worm eludes you, dig up the surrounding soil and give it a good shake to uncover your bait.

Keep your worms in a covered plastic container with a few inches of local soil and ventilation holes cut into the lid.

Artificial Intelligence: Savvy anglers always carry backups in case they run out of their main bait. For earthworm pursuits, several companies offer artificial baits that’ll often fool the fish.

Examples include Berkley Gulp Earthworms and Pond Pro Sqworms. Fish these baits whole or in chunks.

Parting Points

Keep your bait close while fishing and always replace the lid. Birds are common to productive fishing areas and sneaky herons, egrets, bluejays, and crows will gladly help themselves to unattended worms.

Also, if you leave several pieces of cut earthworm on your container’s lid, place that container inside a dry bucket or atop your tackle bag. Ants will smell the potential meals and quickly swarm the container. 

Lastly, make sure you never forget that container of earthworms in the backseat or the trunk of your vehicle. For one thing, it’s a shame to waste good bait, but if you rush in from a fishing trip and inadvertently leave those slimy worms unattended for a day or more …

Let’s just say you’ll want to visit the air freshener aisle.