Worms for Bait in a Garden

Garden Worms

• The term garden worms describes the average worm found in gardens, flowerbeds and similar places. These worms live in the topmost layers of dirt are easily caught by digging into the soil with a shovel, dumping the dirt onto a tarp or old sheet, and sifting through it to find the worms. These worms are a few inches long and make excellent bait for fish, such as the smallmouth bass and trout.

Night Crawlers

• Night crawlers are usually found in the more open areas in or around a garden. These worms are large and active. They are a popular choice for catching bigger fish and fish with mouths that can grab them, such as largemouth bass. Night crawlers are best gathered at night after a rain or after a sprinkle has been running on the garden for two or three hours. They can also be driven to the surface by pouring a dilute solution of mustard and water on the ground. The solution irritates them, and they come to the surface to get away.

Manure Worms

• Manure worms are found in garden areas with a heavy layer of compost, which is their preferred food. They also live under aging manure piles and beneath a compost bin made so that compost is in contact with the soil. These worms are fairly small, slightly longer than 2 inches, and are active when used as bait. They are also known as red worms. Manure worms make good bait for smaller fish including trout, shiners and bass.

Red Wigglers

• Red wigglers are one of the most active worms available. They are often found in gardens, though in colder areas they may die off in the winter. Dig up these worms well in advance and keep them in a ventilated, well-drained box or bin. All they need is damp newspaper for bedding and a bit of soil, along with some garden scraps for food. Red wigglers thrive in such a setting, doubling their numbers for fishermen who don't want to have to go out to the garden and dig worms before every fishing trip. These worms are usually 3 inches long or less and work well as bait for bluegill and trout.