Making Nightcrawlers Last

aku94 · #1 07-26-2005, 09:20 PM

I have found through all the diffirent things that I have tried, that Nightcrawlers are my favorite type of bait. They always seem to work the best. Unfortunately, due to the 'small" number of baitshops, especially inunfamiliar areas, they can sometimes be hard to fnd when one is traveling. I believe that it would be a great idea to either dig or buy up a quantity of Nightcrawlers in advance, then bring them with me. It's not that hard to store them in any sort of hotel room because there is always a fridge. It's getting them there that I believe that the problem would lay with. I know that one time I forget about a few Nightcrawlers in aa cup in my fishing kit, and it smelled bad when the heatwave came around a couple days later. Would it be be a good idea to put them in ice for the time (usually less than 7 consecutive hourse- though it could be a few more at a given time) Would I be better off leaving them in the cup that the bait shop selles them in and putting it in a cooler, or transplanting them all int 1 bigjar or multiple smaller jars and putting them in a cooler. Rather than/ in addition to sticking them in a lunchbag style cooler, would I be better of sticking the small containers, then putting them into styromfoam packing material with some ice between? Obviously the they would be then be with more ice in the lunch bag cooler- sort of like matrioshka (Russian Nesting Dolls) I guess. What are your ideas for transporting nightcrawlers without spoiling them and the trip (and my car+ my kit)? Do mine seem sane (and feasible)?

Fishing Forum Admin · #2 07-26-2005, 09:28 PM

OK Im going to ask the dum question of the night - what are nightcrawlers

Are they worms from the garden or worms from seabeds ; sorry Im in the UK so need to know as this will help me

IF they are worms then just lay say five worms on newspaper and the gentle fold then add another five and fold and so on . Place in good cooler box with ice packs ( the type from DIY shops that when the melt do not leek )

THis seems the best way for me but Im sure others will chip in

Omahayank · #3 07-27-2005, 12:28 AM

Hi aku94: Look at www.dmfbait.com. They are the largest in North Am. I'm sure they'll have a good info.

I do know not to put ice directly in with the worms. Put ice in sealed plastic bags or use those reusable ice packs. You can drown your worms before you intend to.

aku94 · #4 07-27-2005, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishing Forum Admin

OK Im going to ask the dum question of the night - what are nightcrawlers

Are they worms from the garden or worms from seabeds ; sorry Im in the UK so need to know as this will help me

IF they are worms then just lay say five worms on newspaper and the gentle fold then add another five and fold and so on . Place in good cooler box with ice packs ( the type from DIY shops that when the melt do not leek )

THis seems the best way for me but Im sure others will chip in

Nightcrawlers are simply worms, though I have found the ones from the baitshop to be bigger than the worms that I dig from the garden, or wherever else I think might produce some good ones. A TV show featured how the best nightcrawlers the bait companies sell all come from Canada and the Northern Mid-West USA, and I am in the the Northeast- and I don't put hat much effort into it- sooooo you really can't say there aren't good ones in CT. Nightcrawlers=worms

Woodsman · #5 08-01-2005, 11:02 AM

Frabill makes worm boxes & worm bedding/feed that willl keep your crawlers for a long time if kept in a cool place. Other manufactures also make simular products.

Best Wishes

Woodsman · #6 08-01-2005, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishing Forum Admin

OK Im going to ask the dum question of the night - what are nightcrawlers

They are worms apox. 3" to 6" (8 - 16 cm) in length.
They are called nightcrawlers because they are found at night crawling on top of the damp grass. You search with a flashlight and pick them up. You have to be fast & step lightly as they can disappear underground quite quickly.

Omahayank · #7 08-02-2005, 01:19 AM

3" to 6"???

Boy are you picking in the wrong area...In the spring after a late night rain while its still dark, I can find them on the driveway, sidewalks & in the street upwards of 12", occasionally 16"s and more.

I dont use 1/2 the lawn chemicals my neighbors do either.
Its been too hot here lately, they've gone deep. A nightcrawler can burrow 12 feet down.

Omahayank · #8 08-03-2005, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishing Forum Admin

OK Im going to ask the dum question of the night - what are nightcrawlers

Are they worms from the garden or worms from seabeds ; sorry Im in the UK so need to know as this will help me

IF they are worms then just lay say five worms on newspaper and the gentle fold then add another five and fold and so on . Place in good cooler box with ice packs ( the type from DIY shops that when the melt do not leek )

THis seems the best way for me but Im sure others will chip in

I just found this today.

www.fishing.co.uk/article.php3?id=2208
It sounds EXACTLY how we hunt night crawlers.

Apparently you call them Lob worms