Substitutions For A Worm

Around here, it is not that easy to find a store that sells worms as bait. If I want to use worms for bait, I have to drive into town to get worms and even stock up for later fishing exploits. So, I got to thinking...when I was younger and used to fish bream alot (before school took over my life), we used to use bits of shrimp to catch a ton of bream. But, this was a brackish water bayou. I was wondering if using shrimp would still be a good idea in fresh water, or am I just having a dumb idea. Any input is welcome, and sorry; I'm still a newb

Shrimp is a universal bait in fresh or salt water.

would figure it to be the same everywhere, but (when I was a little boy) my Dad and I would go to the park late night (following rain) with flashlight and grab all the nightcrawlers we could find :cool:. The crawlers would be out mating so you had to sneak up on em (i.e. less vibration) and swiftly grab them (and I do mean swiftly as part of their body was still in the hole and would quickly retreat). When we ran out during fishing, we'd park the boat inshore and comb thru the woods turning soil, rocks, leaves and trees for 'wigglers' (i.e. trout worms) :cool:

Ever since 9/11 here in NY, many bait/tackle shops closed due to lack of business (a lot of folks fished the resevoirs which were closed to fishing for a minute). Those that remained, well, minnows, worms etc. became costly. Heck, I used minnows for a long time but since used jigs exclusively.

Anyways, hope the provided 'worm hunt technique' helps.

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Originally Posted by FBM357

Ever since 9/11 here in NY, many bait/tackle shops closed due to lack of business

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That's a bummer. :(

look for the little white worm looking things by berkley. gulp. look like little white worms. bream like them.


old

Thanks for the input you guys! Unfortunately, as it would have it, weather and lack of a fishing partner (I was always taught to go fishing with another person in case, God forbid, something happens), I wasn't able to go cruise the lakes. But, I'm going bayouside fishing later on, so, Ill try the Berkley worms and I'll try some shrimp. I'll have a report after! God bless!

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

That's a bummer. :(

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Yeah, use to be a 'Mom & Pop' bait/tackle store I use to frequent long time ago. Ownership changed hands (son after they passed away) and he lost it. Then there are others that simply closed due to effects from 9/11. If you now purchase minnows, you must keep your receipt. If the DEC decides to question you, and you haven't a receipt for the live bait, FINE! :eek: As expected, they're extremely strict around the resevoirs.

V

As far as the berkly Gulp products go, I couldn't pay a fish to eat the original gulp products... I have some worms and corn that i never caught a single fish on... however, their Gulp Alive products are really good for bream. I use the pink or white waxies. I also ahve the natural colored angle worms and they work pretty good too. They are coming out with some crickets that got a decent review and I'll be trying them as soon as I can find them.

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Originally Posted by dnchance

As far as the berkly Gulp products go, I couldn't pay a fish to eat the original gulp products... I have some worms and corn that i never caught a single fish on... however, their Gulp Alive products are really good for bream. I use the pink or white waxies. I also ahve the natural colored angle worms and they work pretty good too. They are coming out with some crickets that got a decent review and I'll be trying them as soon as I can find them.

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The Berkley Gulp is what we (my fishing partner and I) use exclusively on a jig to catch our gills here. We use the waxies and they definately work. They like the chartruese and pink lately, but have caught them on white, natural, and red too.

WEll, Mother Nature dosen't like me too much it seems XD. The weather again prevented me from going to the bayouside, but, HOPEFULLY TOMORROW, I can go out. I bought some new grubs, jigheads, and the like today, as well as a crankbait. I'll be fishing near a weed line, with a fallen tree not too far, and I may try around a dock or two. Any tips my friends?

When my kids and grandkids were small we used to go to a local pond and catch all the brim you wanted on small pieces of bacon. I even caught a couple of nice catfish on it once. Brim will bite almost anything.

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Originally Posted by olduckhunter

look for the little white worm looking things by berkley. gulp. look like little white worms. bream like them.


old

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Is that meal worm or perhaps wax worm?

xi, i couldn't tell you exactly. it's a bottle with white little bitty short white magott looking things. they are slicker than snot. a bream will hit about anything that hits the water.


old

You probably have the best bait right in your own backyard.
Take a piece of old carpet and dampen it a bit and throw it down in the grass overnight. Next morning go out and catch the crickets that are on and under it.

The simplest ever 'Gill bait for me has been doughballs. It's what I used to use as a kid with just a cane pole. A couple slices of fresh bread would do for a few hours of fishing. I didn't use a cork or any weight, just a long shank #8 aberdeen hook on 6# test. Wad a small piece of bread over the hook and cast it out and let it sink slowly, if they didn't hit it on the fall they would pic it up whithin a minute or 2 off the bottom. You can catch some nice wild Golden Shiners like this too, for live bait Bass fishing.

Nowadays I use a 5' ul rod and reel combo spooled with 4# test and 1/16 oz. Roostertails exclusively. From a boat or shore, cast it out and count down to five and start reeling with a couple quick turns of the reel handle and then slow down as much as you can and still keep the blade turning. I've caught more 'Gills on this rig than anything else. It is a depth and speed presentation and once you get it down you'll be able to outfish live bait with it. You'll catch everything with this presentation, 'Gills, 'Crackers, Bass, catfish, Stripes, Bowfin, Gar.. any predator fish will hit this lure when used correctly. I like the white or yellow Coachdog pattern with one drop of Shad or Crawfish scent on the dressed treble.

Yet again, I appreciate everyone's input! I remember when I was like 5 or 6 using bread balls to jerk bluegills from the front of my aunt's pond, but, that was long long ago and once upon a time. I'm heading to the bayou for about 11, gonna fish for an hour or so, and see if i catch anything. I'll have an after action report either in this thread or another. God bless!