Preserving beach worms

[Basil2]

I was looking for the best way to preserve beach worms once you have finished fishing and gone home. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks

[Fixation]

Hey Basil2,

I just preserve mine by dipping them in mentholated spirits and dusting them in dry sand and then freezing them.

Just grab an ice cream container. Put some metho in it. Grab each worm individually and dip it in the metho. Only for about 10 seconds. The worm will get quite firm and then pull it out and dust it with sand, chuck it in a small zip lock bag or plastic bag and then chuck it in the freezer. The alcohol seaps into the pours of the worms body and preserves it quite well.
I've kept them well over a year in the freezer and they still catch stuff. You'd think the fish would be put off the metho but that ain't the case. Give it a crack and see how you go mate.

Regards,
Craig.

[Freeeedom]

Yeah - agree! Metho is the quickest and very effective. I drop mine into a jar of straight metho and leave them for about 5 minutes. Then remove and allow to dry (takes only a minute), then into small zip-lock bags (a couple of worms per bag) and into the freezer. The small bags allow you to use whatever number you like without having to thaw the remainder. Last forever and still catch fish
Cheers Freeeedom

[Poodroo]

Well this is a very interesting thread. Would never have thought of using metho. Just goes to show you that you never stop learning. By the way I think mod5 will soon move this thread to saltwater or general chat. ;)

Poodroo

[Adamy]

I've used metho - maybe I left them in too long but the fish wouldnt touch them afterward - might give it another go and give it a real good test.

What I do is use a mix of half sand half salt - doesnt have to be exact - the less salt you use the softer the worm will stay - but you have to find the right balance or else to worm is too soft and will fall apart. The sand absorbs the moisture the worm gives out with the salting process and so helps the worm to not get the dried out look.

Try both methods - metho work but dont leave the worm in there too long... they come out smelling like metho even a year later. Salting will last just as long.

Hope that helps and gives you some alternatives... I also use salt for leftover pillies (and pipis)- works a treat. ;)

Adam

[dagwood]

Whether it is sand worms or blood worms you can use both procedures. If using metho soak for only 3-4 minutes and pack in sand. Do not wash the metho off. If using in the next couple of days just put in fridge. Any longer put in the freezer. Winter whiting fishermen I know say they catch more on the preserved blood worms than on fresh. When worms hit the water the metho is dispersed.

If using coarse salt cover with salt for 15 mins max, REMOVE SALT FROM WORMS(you can wash the salt off), and preferably put in dry sand in plastic bags and freeze. Important not to leave them in the salt too long as it dries them out too much.

With either system worms with thaw out and still be reasonably soft.


Darryl

[Pharkmeh]

Hey Basil2,

I just preserve mine by dipping them in mentholated spirits and dusting them in dry sand and then freezing them.

Just grab an ice cream container. Put some metho in it. Grab each worm individually and dip it in the metho. Only for about 10 seconds. The worm will get quite firm and then pull it out and dust it with sand, chuck it in a small zip lock bag or plastic bag and then chuck it in the freezer. The alcohol seaps into the pours of the worms body and preserves it quite well.
I've kept them well over a year in the freezer and they still catch stuff. You'd think the fish would be put off the metho but that ain't the case. Give it a crack and see how you go mate.

Regards,
Craig.

gotta agree with craig - anymore than 10 or 20 secs is too long

they keep a treat though

G'luck m8

cheers

Phark

[Basil2]

Thanks guy's, off to teewah beach on monday, so any left over worms will get the metho treatment or a salt down. Thanks for the help.

[nigelr]

Bring the grubs home from the beach in sea water not sand, drain, then a quick soak in metho for 15 to 30 secs only, the smaller/thinner the worm, the shorter the time, then freeze asap.
School jewfish are suprisingly partial, especially to large red or king worms. I rub worms lightly in dry sand when half thawed, makes them easier to handle.
Cheers and good luck.