Beach Worming

[Koalaboi]

Hi Raiders,

After many years I finally purchased a pair of worming pliers and hit the beach. Bingo, lots of juicy fat worms in the bait bucket that quickly became flathead, whiting and bream.

BUT, subsequent attempts have been seriously frustrating! So, I have some queries:

1. Are worms easier to catch on one day than on others? If so, are cloudiness, wind and temperature contributing factors? My best day was earlier in the week when the westerly wind was blowing and the temperature pretty cool (nice and sunny though). Are there other determinants?

2. What are the best ways to preserve them?

Thanks in advance and tight lines everyone!

Koalaboi

[Ray R]

G'day buddy, mate in my limited experience with catching these blighters I have been led to believe that rain is a time when they wont show, also very strong onshore winds, and naturally when the beach is full of people tramping all over the place. Have been worming up at Crescent head with an old chap who could pull them out of anywhere and he told me these things many years ago.

As for keeping them fresh, well he would take them from his bucket and roll them in cool dry sand, then run the worm through his fingers and de-slime them, after this they were crumbed in some nice dry cool sand again, now these worms after being placed in some sandy newspaper and kept in a cool place would last 2 and sometimes 3 days and I can assure that that this old timer from Crescent really new how to do it, since passed this gent but his learnings will always be remembered..

[wannabefisho]

G'day buddy, mate in my limited experience with catching these blighters I have been led to believe that rain is a time when they wont show, also very strong onshore winds, and naturally when the beach is full of people tramping all over the place. Have been worming up at Crescent head with an old chap who could pull them out of anywhere and he told me these things many years ago.

As for keeping them fresh, well he would take them from his bucket and roll them in cool dry sand, then run the worm through his fingers and de-slime them, after this they were crumbed in some nice dry cool sand again, now these worms after being placed in some sandy newspaper and kept in a cool place would last 2 and sometimes 3 days and I can assure that that this old timer from Crescent really new how to do it, since passed this gent but his learnings will always be remembered..

Yep, what Ray said...

I used to catch them with my grandfather when I was a kids along with pippies.

I can assure you onshore winds are a big turn-off for worms- but you can still get a few for a session if you are persistent.

I havent wormed in nearly 20 years. We used to wash them out in a bucket first or water first, then roll them in the dryest sand you can and store them someshere dry and dark (we stored ours under a caravan) and they lasted up to 4 days if you repeat the process of washing and rolling.

Im fairly keen to try it again this summer - just to find a suitable location where people traffic is minimal to snare a few then lob them out for some whiting sounds like a perfect afternoon of fishing to me

Merry Xmas and tight lines to all

Anthony

[Koalaboi]

Thanks to you both,

I'll keep in mind what you have said.

Ta,

Koalaboi

[arpie]

Hi Koalaboi

Good to hear that you got into some beachworms after using 'worming pliers'!! I believe these 'smart tools' will help most 'new wormers' into catching their first worms over any other advice given!

Interesting that you have raised this subject just now - i have just yesterday, shown an 'older' local fisho how to catch beach worms & he pulled 3 worms, unassisted, on his first lesson! All going well, I will be able to put Slinky onto his first worm in a few days time!!

The 3 main tips being ...... patience, timing & practise! Don't RUSH it! So long as you haven't actuallly TOUCHED the worm with your pippie or pliers - wait for the next wave & they should 'present' again! You can do this 5-10 times, so long as you haven't TOUCHED them & spooked them!!

..... 1. Are worms easier to catch on one day than on others? If so, are cloudiness, wind and temperature contributing factors? My best day was earlier in the week when the westerly wind was blowing and the temperature pretty cool (nice and sunny though). Are there other determinants?

If there is any 'red weed' in the water, they can be 'difficult' to raise as the worms have already feasted - they also break more easily! I prefer to worm on the 2nd half of the out tide (the last 2-3 hrs) - it is much safer than an 'in' tide, where waves will surely knock you over & more importantly, just plain frustrate you!!!

On the odd occasion, I have found that windy days will make for more difficult 'worming'.

2. What are the best ways to preserve them?

As advised, stripping them of any 'wet, bloody sand' and then gently rolling them in cool, dry sand will help keep them fresh - but the best (and most viable) method of worming is to take only what is needed for the one outing...... and use them within 24hrs of getting them! If you need some more, go back & get some more!

Personally, I have as much fun Beach Worming as I do actually fishing (even tho I don't often use 'live bait' these days)......... and I have had almost a 100% "individual capture" rate when showing 'newbies' how to pull beach worms, usually on their first 'lesson'!

Don't give up - try them on different days, in different conditions - it is the only way that you will find what suits your individual area!

Cheers

Roberta

Edited December 24, 2010 by Roberta

[Koalaboi]

Hi Roberta,

Thanks for the advice.

BTW I went to the articles section looking for advice on beachworming and saw your piece on chasing luderick. Thanks for the acknowledgement on "pussyfooting".

I will send you a photograph of the floats made using the champagne corks to add to the article...give me a few days and it will arrive.

Merry Christmas.

Koalaboi

[arpie]

..... Thanks for the acknowledgement on "pussyfooting".......

No worries, mate!! I tried it with Luderick59 at Mona Vale Pool & it was fun! I was NO WHERE near as good as him tho!!!! I think I caught 1!!!! Obviously, I need more practise!!

I just hope you get into the worms as regularly as you need, just keep practising! ......... he, he, I'll put up my own 'worming method' & see how it goes!

Merry Xmas

Roberta

[robton]

Hi there!

After worming for 20+ years around Jervis Bay the easiest and most effective method I've found for keeping worms is simply a bucket of seawater with an aerator. I use a 20ltr bucket and only about half full and replace the water every day.

Doing this will keep them alive for 3-4 days.

Try using your fingers to catch them if you can, and go for some smaller ones to start. They are easier to pull out, are less damaged because you don't need to squeeze them so hard and therefore keep alive for longer.

We have some monster greenhead worms on our local beach but I usually leave these for that reason unless we are heading outside to fish.

They are THE best bait to use in an estuary, the beach or bottom bashing in 60mtrs of water. Caught many nice reds on large beachworms.

I hope this is helpful and good luck with catching some.

Cheers

[Moro Mou]

Hello Koalaboi,

I agree with all the comments particularly that ff you can learn to use your fingers (much tricker) you will get more shelf life out of your worms. Also i find that the less you handle the worms the better as sometimes if touched on the body other than the head they have a tendency to break up. One final thing is when you are worming it is worth throwing a rod out in a rod holder as the worm bait in the wash also acts a berley to fish and you will be amazed how many fish you can catch while catching the bait!

I miss going worming - have not done it for years.

Good luck.

Cheers