Long before soft plastics and epoxy jigs, anglers caught fish on worms, and they still do. Marine worms, sandworms and bloodworms, are among the most reliable natural baits in New England, deadly on striped bass (especially early in the season), flounder, and a long list of bottom fish. They are the worm in the legendary tube and worm.
What they are
Sea worms are marine segmented worms, dug from tidal flats and sold live by the bait shop. Sandworms (clam worms) are long and greenish with a pair of pincers; bloodworms are pinkish-red and, as the name suggests, full of a red fluid, they can give a surprising little bite, so handle the head end with care. Both wriggle enticingly and put out scent that fish home in on.
How they are fished
- Tube and worm: a live worm tips the hook on a trolled surgical tube, one of the most storied striper rigs there is, see tube and worm trolling.
- On the bottom or under a float: a whole worm on a hook, fished on a fish-finder rig or a high-low rig, tempts bass and bottom fish, especially in spring.
- Tipped on lures: a piece of worm added to a jig or a bottom rig adds scent and wriggle that can turn lookers into biters.
Tip Keep worms cool and healthy in seaweed or the shop's bedding, and hook them so part of the worm is left free to wriggle. A lively, moving worm out-fishes a limp one, movement and scent are the whole point.