Bait Guide

BLOODWORMS (Glycera dibranchiata)(above, our biggest ever 8/31/97 30" 2+ounces)

During the spring, the Striped Bass, or Stripers, move past Graveling Point from the Mullica river. The best bait to use to catch them are bloodworms, using whole worms and/or multiples worms depending on their size.

Blood worms range in size from 2" inches to as long a 18" (we don't get to see a lot of those!). Our packaged dozens contain enough worms for a dozen good baits, so often they contain 14-18 worms, unless we are blessed with a batch of large ones to make an even dozen.

The worms can be kept in these bags while you are using them, and overnight in a cool storage area, either a cooler or refrigerator. As discussed in the minnows article, the bag should be kept open to allow the worms to breath. The grass packaged with the worms helps to keep them moist. During the spring, if we are keeping the worms for long periods, we put the worms in saltwater aerated tanks to keep them healthy/good baits. When they are selling fast, it isn't necessary.

The bloodworms front end contains their retracting, four-pronged mouth. Be careful when handling the worms, as they do bite and it will feel much like a greenhead bite or a bee's sting, depending on the size of the worm. Putting them on the hook as swiftly as possible reduces your chances of being bitten.

Later in the year, bloodworms are used as baits for other fish, such as winter flounder, perch, kingfish, porgys and weakfish. Then you will sometimes cut the worms into smaller baits, and use small hooks.

Seems like we have to have this conversation every year about the bait pricing.

BLOODWORMS - why so expensive?
We buy the largest worms that the suppliers can get hold of. This means we pay top price per flat, much higher than for smaller worms.

Our "dozens" can be anywhere from 12 to 18 worms, if we aren't happy with the size of the worms.

If we are lucky, we break even on the price of the flat. Most of the time, we are selling the worms below cost, due to having to put more worms per bag or just to loss of worms over time. The suppliers have raised the cost several times over the last couple of years and we've managed to hold the price so far, but eventually we will have to raise it.

You are welcome to buy smaller, cheaper worms elsewhere. We want to sell quality since it's what our regulars want.
We sell them as a service, we don't make a profit on them, though it would be nice if we did.

Interesting Bloodworm links:
Hand-harvesting of bloodworms in Maine, which is where ours come from:
(DRAFT) - Taxonomy - Species Bloodworm
Glycera (genus) wikipedia.org
About Bloodworms (.pdf file)
Maine Bloodworm harvesting info
Worm Jaw