How to Fish for Ivory Worms

The Ivory worm is a deep-water-dwelling scaphopod mollusk, and its shell was widely used and traded by aboriginal peoples of North America. Today, its shells are used to by natives for ornamentation; the shells are often strung on necklaces or used in works of native art. Ivory warms, or dentalia, can be found in the geographical range of southeastern Alaska to Baja California. Approximately 2-inches-long, the worm is opaque-white, or ivory-like in color, and its shell is composed of aragonite. Ivory worms are carnivorous -- they're attracted to meaty baits -- and as they feed, their shells become embedded in the bait.

Things You'll Need

• Monofilament fishing line
• Size 32 hook
• Fishing rod or long pole
• Bait net with handle

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Cut 20-feet of string from a spool of monofilament fishing line. Tie one end of the fishing line to a fishing rod or a long pole.

   • 2

     Tie a size 32 hook to the free end of the fishing line, then stick a piece of raw meat, such as beef, onto the end of the hook. Push the bait over the bend of the hook.

   • 3

     Drop the line into deep waters. This can be performed from a long pier or off the side of a boat.

   • 4

     Wait a five to ten minutes. Then slowly pull in the line. Wind the line around the base of the rod or pole to avoid tangles.

   • 5

     Hold the bait net under the fishing line to catch falling Ivory worms.