Many different types of worms make good fishing bait. In fact, they are so effective at catching fish, anglers also use soft plastic replicas of worms as a type of artificial bait. Whether you use true earthworms, insect larvae called worms, sea worms or artificial worms, these types of bait will help you catch fish.
Earthworms
Whether called garden worms, red wigglers or Alabama jumpers, many species of earthworms work well as fishing bait. Perhaps the most familiar of these is the European species Lumbricus terrestris, commonly known as the nightcrawler. Great Lakes Worm Watch says you can often find earthworms under logs and rocks, feeding on leaf litter on cool damp evenings or on roads after a substantial rain. Also, sporting goods stores and bait and tackle shops carry commercially raised earthworms.
Insect Worms
According to Louisiana Sportsman, many types of insect larvae commonly called worms also make good bait. These include beetle grubs, such as the mealworm. Caterpillars, including the immature form of the Sphinx moth, known as the Catalpa worm, or wax moth larvae, called wax worms, also work well. Bait and tackle shops, sporting goods stores and even pet stores offer insect worms.
Saltwater Worms
The UK Marine SACs Project indicates that saltwater members of the polychaete family, including bloodworms, sandworms and other sea worms, are popular as bait. Bloodworms and sandworms are burrowing types. Other saltwater worms may swimming freely. These worms usually have a segmented body and sharp jaws that can inflict a nasty bite if the angler is not careful. Purchase saltwater worms, either live or preserved, at bait and tackle shops or online.
Plastic Worms
Because the earthworm is such a successful natural bait, someone tried to manufacture an artificial worm more than a century ago. Today, plastic earthworms are the mainstay of artificial baits in many types of freshwater fishing, particularly bass fishing, according to the Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide. They are commonly used in fishing rigs, such as the Texas rig or the Carolina rig, which produce a lifelike action. These popular worm baits come in many sizes, shapes, colors and styles to suit any fishing condition.
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