I’m a big fan of natural baits with lobworms definitely being high up on the list of my favourites. Just recently I’ve used lobworms for perch on the river Yare, taking about 20 fish in 3 hours up to 2lb and also a big lobworm tempted a 6lb 5oz Tench from West Somerton Staithe after it had point blank refused to take my bread flake, a quick switch to the mighty lobworm and within 10 seconds the tench was on. So how do you go about collecting lobworms? Read on to find out how I do it along with some other suggestions.
How I collect lobworms
What I have done is part filled some empty plastic dog food bags with soil (you know the sort, the 20kg bags of kibble, fertiliser bags or similar will also do) and laid them out in an unused part of the garden, no need to fill them too full, make sure you can easily move them as they only need to have a bit of weight to stop them from blowing away, it also has the added benefit of making sure the bottom of the bag is snug to the ground as the worms seem to like this. After a few days of the bags being there, lift them up one at a time and you should find a number of lobworms amongst other smaller worms and other insects, you will find it is even better after a night of rain too.
Depending on how many I find, if I need more I will then look under flower pots, paving slabs, logs etc where you are sure to find a few more hiding away.
There you go, nice and easy and you don’t have to collect them in the dark. Try not to collect more than you need and any you do have left over after your session, put them back in the garden or keep them in a purpose built lobworm wormery. (an article on a lob worm wormery coming soon).
One final tip, the lobworms will usually have one end down a hole, make sure you grab hold of the worm at this end and pinch it firmly between fore finger and thumb, once you feel it relax you will be able to pull the worm all of the way out without breaking it.
Other ways to collect lobworms
1. Following a good down pour of rain during the day when it has been relatively warm and not windy, lobworms will lie on top of your lawn once nightfall has come, be quiet when walking about and use a dimmed down torch to spot them
2. Throw a couple of buckets of water on to the lawn a couple of hours before sunset, after darkness has come, search the lawn with a torch as above for the lobworms
3. Knock a garden fork in to your lawn so all of the tongs are completely covered, gently tap the handle of the fork with a clenched fist or rubber mallet, in theory, this should bring the worms to the surface. I’ve not tried this myself as I’ve never had too, try it and let me know how you get on.
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