Lugworm Issue

[saltydave]

Hi. Dug my own lugworms today for the first time. Problem was, they came off the hook very easy, even using bait elastic. They seemed to fall to pieces pretty easily. Did I do something wrong?

[ShaneH]

Did you leave them in water for long after digging them?
its best if you rap them in newspaper and leave them in the fridge after washing them in saltwater
this will toughen them up.

[saltydave]

Did you leave them in water for long after digging them?
its best if you rap them in newspaper and leave them in the fridge after washing them in saltwater
this will toughen them up.

No. Not at all. I just put them in some sand and fished with them an hour later!

[blowin]

Did any broken or burst ones get in with the good specimens ? Just a few will send the whole lot off in no time .Even quicker if there is loose water to spread the juices around .

Keeping them in wet sand is best avoided IMHO. If nothing else it can make it difficult to get them out intact if you only want one at a time. I prefer a handful of damp seaweed. Preferably the wrack type , with an open texture.

Good luck

Edited to add what was the weather like ? Did they get cooked by any chance ? They should be kept cool. ATB

[saltydave]

Did any broken or burst ones get in with the good specimens ? Just a few will send the whole lot off in no time .Even quicker if there is loose water to spread the juices around .

Keeping them in wet sand is best avoided IMHO. If nothing else it can make it difficult to get them out intact if you only want one at a time. I prefer a handful of damp seaweed. Preferably the wrack type , with an open texture.

Good luck

Edited to add what was the weather like ? Did they get cooked by any chance ? They should be kept cool. ATB

Hi. There was a possibility that maybe one or two were damaged. Was hard to tell as they were covered in sand. The weather was ok. It was approx 7 in the evening. A warm evening but not too warm i would imagine.
Thanks for the tips. This is all new to me. But I'm learning from you guys. Cheers!

[Morgan44]

I do the same as Shane h once I have dug enough ( using a fork will damage a lot less than a spade ) I wash all the sand off them in sea water , usually find one of the holes you have dug will have filled with water and is ideal for this . By washing them off you will be able to see if any are split . Take all the broken ones out and either leave for the sea gulls or if your going wrasse fishing off the rocks put them separate and you can throw then in as ground bait every now and again it keeps the fish feeding nicely even better if mixed with some chopped up limpits . The good worms will firm up nicely in news paper and be great to use .