How to Catch Nightcrawlers

Nightcrawlers are a deep-burrowing species of earthworm often used as fish bait. These worms can burrow up to 2 m into the earth, but they often come to the surface to feed on decaying leaves and other plant materials. The best time to catch nightcrawlers is during this feeding time, which generally occurs during the night in wet, grassy areas after rainfall.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Sprinkler
Flashlight
Rag

Step 1

Start looking for nightcrawlers after dark on a rainy day. If you don't have time to wait for rain, turn your sprinkler on and soak your lawn for an hour or so in the evening.

Step 2

Start hunting for the nightcrawlers after dark. Take a flashlight with you and look for nightcrawlers in the wet grass, under rocks and in piles of wet leaves.

Step 3

Pick the nightcrawlers up from the ground and place them in a container. Some nightcrawlers may be partially underground when you find them; pull them slowly put firmly out of the ground to avoid ripping them in half.

Tips & Warnings

You may want to take a rag with you when catching nightcrawlers to wipe your hands as they become dirty from handling the worms.

Article Written By Kittie McCoy

Kittie McCoy has been a freelance writer since 2008. She is also a part-time personal trainer and licensed entertainer in Las Vegas. She enjoys sharing her love of physical fitness and experience in the entertainment industry via her writing.

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