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How to Fiddle for Worms

Anyone who enjoys fishing knows that purchasing live bait before a fishing trip can be expensive and time-consuming. You can find the perfect bait hiding underneath the topsoil of your own back yard, eliminating the need to buy bait at a bait shop. "Fiddling for worms" is a method of using vibrations to force worms to the surface to be captured for use as bait. This old tradition has been passed down through generations of fishermen in the South, especially in northern parts of Alabama.

Things You'll Need

18-inch wooden stake
Handsaw (preferably, but not necessarily, with a dull blade)
Hammer
Chainsaw
Plastic container

Instructions

- 1
  Choose an area of land to look for worms. The soil should be moist, but not saturated. Find a location near a stream or creek, or near a hill if it has recently rained. If the weather is dry, or it hasn't rained recently, choose a spot closer to the water's edge.
- 2
  Drive a wooden stake at least 6-8 inches into the ground. Make sure the stake is steady and set firmly in the ground. Saw back and forth across the top of the stake, using smooth motions. Keep sawing the top of the stake until the vibrations cause the worms to make their way to the surface of the soil. Catch the worms, and place them in your plastic container.
- 3
  Locate a tree stump that's at least 18 inches tall. Pound the top of the tree stump with a large rock, stick or ax handle. The vibrations will easily travel down through the tree stump, causing the worms to travel to the surface. This is known as the "Caveman Technique" -- for obvious reasons.
- 4
  Remove the chain from a chainsaw. Start the chainsaw, and hold it against the ground while it's running. This method produces very strong vibrations; it requires less physical effort; and it can force worms to travel to the soil's surface much faster than other methods. This is known as the "McCullough Technique," after a popular brand of chain saws.

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