how do i catch sandworms?

[apoklyps60]

ill be mostly in the tugun area of the gold coast and hopefully try to catch these worms. do they bite? we have bloodworms, pile worms, and seaworms here. and they can all give a nasty bite. just want to be prepared. thanks all for the info

vin

[chris_stewart14]

Not hard enough to worry about.. Get a 1.5m length of rope and bend a wire coat hanger into a hook and place some fish carcases on it.. Walk the shoreline of the beach on a low tide and wave the fish around in the wash and as the scent drifts out with the wave you will see little V's of water forming.. This is the worms heads poking up out of the sand to see whats on offer.. Gently walk over and crouch down and offer a small piece of fish flesh an inch above his head so he hasto stretch up for it... As he comes right up he will arch his head - this is when you dig the fingers from your other hand into the sand and pull him out... Takes afew goes to get the hang of but fresh beach worms are most likely among the best bait around... There is a video of how to do it under the fishing section of www.coastwatch.com.au

Cheers

[Beau]

I get my beach worms from tugun. I use stockings filled with pillies as my weapon of choice. When you get down to him, slowly move your fingers into position around his head while hes inspecting your bait so you're only millimetres off for when he arch's. then grab him and try and pull him out in one clean pull. This is my style anyway..works for me. They sometimes give your hand a nibble but it doesn't hurt. Goodluck.

[Yoodles82]

OK i recently mastered the art of worm catching only a few weeks ago at rainbow beach.

Dragging fish carcass around.

When you see their heads, give'em some fish flesh to chew on.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING!!!

I would usually try and grab them after they'd already done one arch-up cause i was too slow, but they dont usually come back after two arch's.

Once you grab'em dont let off...those things are strong. I had one out 30cm and he managed to pull back in! Also, if you're pulling them out and you feel resistances (and you'll know when you do), stop pulling and just hold them there, otherwise you'll snap bits off and lose the rest of the worm.

Also, get used to the idea of having sore leg muscles in the days following...it'll feel like you've been wicket keeping all day, squatting over and over again to catch the little suckers!!!

I read somewhere if you are going to freeze them, soak them in metho or turps or something to make them rubbery???

Hope that helps

Nat

[apoklyps60]

thanx for all the info guys. now one last question .. are these catchable during the winter months or is it only a summer thing?

[jeff f]

all year around just got to get the timing of the tide right for the best chance at them

there 3 different species oin gold coast beaches

there is the little hightide worms that arent much good too thin

then there are slimys these are pink and get to 2m long best time for these is quarter tide down

then from half tide down you start to get the best ones ,the stumpys these guys have a bronzy colour get to 1.2m and can be as thick as your little finger

when you get hold of a big one hang on dont try to pull him out wait for the next wave and dig around him as the water rushes by and he will release his grip on the sand once you dig 15 cm of sand from around him

worms are easier to get out if you pull them sideways paralell to the beach rather than straight up

[fishingboy]

for a simple way to catch worms walk up to the shore line a place a bit a pippi on the samd and wait unil u see a head poke out u then grab the head and pull the body up.

[cboy69]

Could anyone name specific beaches as close to brisbane as possible. I'd like to have a go at getting some worms.

I'm ok at getting yabbies now. Perhaps I'll try cast netting as my next form of live bait :laugh:

[tugger]

most bait stores have them if you can't master the beach worm

[Angus]

Blood worms can be raked up.

Beach/Sand Worms are the artful ones. To be honest Its not really worth describing in words as it really requireds a demo and a lot of patience. They are deffinently my go to bait at Straddy. Not much lives in the surf that wont eact Beach Worms!

Angus

[frangerb]

If you don't get to catch any sand worms or the tides are wrong are there any places around brisbane that supply live sand worm?

[chobbo]

The bait and tackle shop next to the BP at Manly supplies live bloodworms. I think they can order you in sandworms if you ask.