In Britain there are some 25 types of earthworm, but out of these only 6 are of any real use to the angler. The lobworm (Lumbricus terrestris), the Redworm (Bimastrus foetida), the Brandling (Eisenia rosea, Eisenia foetida andrei, Eisenia foetida foetida, Eisenia sp.),Dendrabaenas (dendrabaena ... Read review
(+) Cheap to do when done correctly, good results. (-) FEAR FACTOR - You will look silly if you do it without results. Difficult to carry a large amount.
In Britain there are some 25 types of earthworm, but out of these only 6 are of any real use to the angler. The lobworm (Lumbricus terrestris), the Redworm (Bimastrus foetida), the Brandling (Eisenia rosea, Eisenia foetida andrei, Eisenia foetida foetida, Eisenia sp.),Dendrabaenas (dendrabaena veneta), the Bloodworm (Chironomous sp.) and the Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) although the last two are not worms but they are grubs. The bloodworm is the grub of the adult midge, and the mealworm the grub of the darkling beetle also known as the Flour Beetle, so I will not be reviewing these in any great detail.
Lobworms ==========
Lobworms, also known as dew worms, are the largest and easiest worm to find. They may be collected from lawns, cricket pitches or even football pitches. The best time to harvest these worms is just after a heavy shower, or failing that go out after dark armed with a torch. If you tread lightly you will be able to creep up on your intended prey, now you should be able to see the worm lying on the surface of the grass. The worm must be caught quickly, you can do it by placing one of your fingers over the worm where it enters the ground and press firmly. With your other hand take hold of the worms head and gently pull.If you find the worm is a little slippy you should dip your fingers in some sand, this will allow you to hold it easily. You have to be very gentle when you tease worms out because it's very easy to snap the worm in two, and a worm that is broken is a dead worm. Do not believe the stories about it turning into two worms, it simply isn't true. There are some kinds of worm that will regenerate after being broken, but the ones mentioned in this review do not. If you don't want to collect your own you can purchase them but expect to pay in the region of £30 for 200 large or £15 for 100 small lobworms.
Redworms ==========
This is quite a small species and usually grows to about 4in long. They live in compost heaps, under rotting logs or under any large object in your garden. This makes it really easy to collect these as your bait. These too can be purchased, £10 for 75g
Brandlings ==========
The brandling is similar in size to the redworm, however it is easy to distinguish between the two since the brandling has yellowish rings around its shiny red body. This worm can be collected from compost heaps, or for the more adventurous from manure piles. If you want to purchase these expect to pay in the region of; £28 for 100 Eisenia foetida andrei £28 for 100 Eisenia foetida foetida £6 for 30 Eisenia sp. (smaller alternative to Lumbricus)
Dendrabaenas =============
These are a tough and lively worm that survive longer than any other worm in cold conditions. They can be found quite readily in compost heaps, and are the anglers preferred choice of bait. They can be kept, in a container with air holes and moist bedding, in a cool spot and they will survive for several weeks. You can purchase these worms too; £25 for 1kg large worms (appoox 600 worms) £35 for 1kg small worms (approx 2000 worms)
Bloodworms ===========
As I said earlier these are not worms, but since a lot of anglers use these as bait I thought I should give them a mention. The midge larva is often found in the silt of many stagnant waters since they can tollerate very low levels of oxygen. They grow to 15mm and are quite hard to collect, so I suggest that you spend a few pounds at a local dealer if you intend on using them. The cost of these varies greatly so I can not state any price guide.
Mealworms ==========
This is another grub, and NOT a worm. The grub has 6 small legs which are jointed, and grow to 1in long. These mealworms are readily available from many pet stores since they are used for feeding birds by many bird-watchers. Mealworms cost in the region of £12 for half a kilo.
Cleaning your worms ==================
The best way to clean and toughen your worms is to put them in a container with damp sphagnum moss. They will readily burrow through this medium, taking off all the soil and polishing their skins as they go. The moss can be purchased from any good flower shop, if you don't have any growing in your lawn. If you see a dead or dying worm in your container at any time you should remove it immediately because one dead worm tends to increase the mortality of the rest.
Hooking a worm ==============
It is very important to hook a worm in the correct way as this makes sure that it stays on the hook and will look natural. If you use a whole worm it can be hooked absolutely anywhere along its length, however if it is very long you should hook it in a couple of places feeding the first part up the shank of the hook. If you intend on using only a part of a worm, the head, you should hook it through the cut end since this is where all of the juices will leech out into the water making it more inviting to any feeding fish. Under no circumstances should you cover all of the hook. It is better to have a natural looking worm that wriggles freely than one that looks knotted.
Worm Soup ==========
Many pole anglers these days use chopped worms as a soup to attract fish. This is made by chopping the worms until they turn into a liquid. This soup is then cupped into the swim with the use of a pole cup. The juices then attract many different species of fish......but there is no food for them to eat so they readily take your baited hook. This is one of the best uses of worms in my opinion, and it leads to great action.
Lets make a Wormery ==================
Compost Bin Some wood Some Gravel A Tap An Old Gro-bag
First you should fit a tap to your compost bin about 2in up from the base. Now you should put enough gravel into the container so that the tap is below the surface of the gravel. This is done to ensure that any excess moisture can be drained off without the tap becoming clogged, since too much water kills your worms. Now you should place several pieces of wood over the top of the gravel to stop any soil/compost from gathering in the base. With that done an old gro-bag's contents should be tipped in and gently forked. This is to put a little air into the soil so the worms will be able to burrow through this medium. And finally you can add some worms, try and use dendrabaenas, brandlings or redworms since this is their natural habitat. Under no circumstances should you put any lobworms in your wormery as they will die and in doing so will kill off all of your healthy worms.
To feed your worms is quite simple, first dig several small holes into the surface of your compost, now introduce small amounts of worm food into each of these holes and cover them over with a little soil. The holes where you put the food should be checked every few days, if they have eaten it all then put some more in but if it's still there, and going mouldy, it should be removed and fresh food placed in.
Good Worm Food ===============
Coffee grounds Tea bags Fruit (chopped) Veg peelings Cereals Anual weeds (not seed heads) Bread Green leaves Cow/Horse manure
Bad Worm Food ==============
Meat Fish Baked beans Rice Pasta Cooked potatoes Grass (lawn mowings) Diseased plants Dog/Cat poo (may contain parasites)
Well I hope you have found this information of use, I thought I should tell you how to make a productive wormery so that you will be able to save a few pounds or even make a few if you know a few anglers.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this review
Advantages: Scenty and juicy excellent results Disadvantages: Quickly lose scent and flavour
...There are many types of worms for sea fishing and many ways to both obtain and present them.
1. Harbour Ragworm. Beware these do bite!!!!!!!!!
2. King Ragworm. Beware these bite bigger!!!
3. Blow Lugworm.
4. Blacklug Worm.
5. White Ragworm.
6. Flathead Worm.
7. How To Get.
8. Safety Advice.
1. HARBOUR RAGWORM.
Harbour ragworm are small in size and ideal for using when targeting Mullet as it will take 1-2 to fill a size 1 hook.
Try sliding ... ...RAGWORM
These are hardy old worms they can be cut in half for two rods or left whole for a single kig size bait excellent for Bass and Cod try tipping with Mackeral or Squid etc to present a cocktail bait with different scents, i have tipped these with Mussel and Cockles with good results i have fished for Bass without a single bite and put a single Cockle on the hook as a cocktail and spent the night busy bagging up my fish good result.
Again ...
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Advantages: Variety of sizes, lively, fish like them. Disadvantages: If you're too busy to get your own, you'll have to pay for some.
...and now I produce Dendra worms instead.
These seem to be preferred now, as there is a huge choice of sizes and they last longer on the hook. Apparently you like to do unspeakable things to them, after which they make an excellent ground bait.
I supply a private fishing club. The members have access to three lakes and a couple of farm ponds. Carp and Perch are the fish most regularly caught.
I also sell to two local tackle shops.
Club members ... ...lid is a tight fit. Worms are experts at escaping, especially while they are settling in.
Bedding. I use 50/50 horse or sheep manure and cardboard, but a mixture of shredded newspaper, cardboard, leafmould or coir can be used. Whatever you choose the bedding must never be allowed to get very dry or very wet. A good test is to squeeze a handful. You should only be able to get a drop or two out. Too dry; add a little water. Too wet; add more dry stuff.
...
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Advantages: Smelly for fish cos they're full of nice juices. Cheap too Disadvantages: Crualty to worms???????
...the good things about using worms as bait. So no horrible comments please (unless you really do just think I’m pooh). I’m sure that whatever you want to say is actually totally correct as this is sick, BUT, in my line of business (match fishing), it is sometimes a necessary thing that must be done to WIN. And that’s usually what it’s all about. It’s a sick (wo)mans sport if you hadn’t already figured that out from ... ...(finally).
Worms are an attractive bait to FISH for a number of reasons:
The wriggle about (as long as they’re not dead (poor little things!!)). Therefore, attracting attention to themselves.
They look natural (unless there’s a 4/0 hook shoved up its ass) so fish are going to try and eat them without worrying about what they are (“Oh my God Billy!! What the flip is that?!?”).
...
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Advantages: Can be used to catch virtually any freshwater fish, cheap to obtain Disadvantages: Sticky fingers after handling them, can be awkward to get on the hook when they start wriggling.
...for years, before even the days of the "Mr Crabtree" stories by Bernard Venables...... and they still work now, so are definately a bait you shouldn't leave home without...... even if you were planning on using something else for bait, you should take a few worms with you as back-up. ...
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Advantages: A economical bait that WILL catch you fish whatever the season and weather. Disadvantages: Lugworms are hard to come buy, try digging where you find 'casts' at low-water. And mind the PINCERS!
...much how big a part worms play in sea angling. To understand why worms are so important you need to understand why fish are attracted to worms in the first instance.
Movement - The 'wiggle' that drives a lot of people to detest worms is the reason why fish like them so much, they are attracted by the wiggle of a worm, as they swim past they will investigate a movement.
Scent - The worms that are used for sea angling have a strong scent, this will ... ...are two main type of worms used in Sea Angling (Although I have seen others used, to limited effect.) These are Ragworm (Red-brown in colour with pinchers hidden in the mouth.)and Lugworm (These come in white and black, although black is more common.) Ragworm is the most common and, I have found, the most effective. They are especially useful for Wrasse (All types), Sea Bass, Garfish and Pouting. To a lesser extent Mackerel and Cod. Lugworm give ...
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...I gonna tell you what i really liked about this shoes.
When you put them on you it dosent take a long time to feel the foce in them. You dont feel them at all and thats very good for a shoe. I like leather shoes and i can easly say that this was the best leather shoe i have ever tried in my whole life.
When you kick the ball you feel like its get some extra power. I cant tell you why im just feeling that way.
Some things you can improve with them is the worm and heavy. You can make them a little bit colder inside by putting some extra holes in it. They are also a little bit to heavy but i think they have to be that.
Thank you for a wonderful shoe. The best ive tried...
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Advantages: Compact/ Lightweight/ Portable/ Smart/ Spacey for a 4 berth Disadvantages: Erection time!/ Instructions/ Not suitable for young children
...was free, I can't complain too much about it. Its compact and very portable. Once it's up, it looks smart and does the job it's designed for. It retails between £40 and £50 which is very good value. Personally before I go camping again I will be selling this tent and buying a bigger one as it doesn't suit my needs ideally, however that isn't to say it isnt any good. My one major gripe is the instructions. They were very poor which makes a tricky, fiddly job even trickier. And for this reason I have to take off a star.
WormThatTurned 2009...
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Advantages: Cheap (From fishmongers) Useful ingredient in bait 'cocktails' Disadvantages: Expensive (From Fishmongers and supermarkets) no real use as a stand-alone bait.
...the head and guts then us a size 1 or 1/0 hook,
and don't bother with the worm. Do not use the head and guts tactic for float-fishing,
about the only thing you'll get will be a cuttlefish (And have you ever tried hooking
one of those little beggars?). I prefer the floating approach, especially as most of my
fishing is done off a pier.
To catch?:
Squid are the prey of many fish, and most will pick up a piece floating gently in the
water. Pollock find squid quite a delicacy, and 3-4lb fish are not rare on the
Squid-worm cocktail. I have found that Mackerel tend to shy away from Squid, trying
to add a sliver of Mackerel didn't improve matters. Bass are also keen to chew up a
piece of prime invertebrate, so look out for a few bars of silver on the end of your line
come June and July....
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21.01.2009
10.05.2001
