Corn, Crickets and Katobie Worms

[FisherBuddy]

First, let me say I'm probably misspelling Katobie but I have several trees available with these worms and they make wonderful bait for Catfish. My granny had some trees on her farm and we were able to transplant some (and some worms) when we moved into our house years ago. The worms come back annually and can be frozen for future use.

Also, who else uses Corn and/or Crickets to fish? Corn I've found especially good for trout. And the Katobie worms are SUPER for cats.

[capt.kirk]

I cant spell catapula worms either,but i do know they are a great bait
for cats,and the red ear & gills love those crickets,do you turn the worms
inside out as you put them on the hook??
KIRK

[Wyndigo]

I used those worms when I lived in Georgia, turned them inside out with a small stick and toss them out for catfish :) and you are right Capt.Kirk, they love'm .. wish I knew where to get some here in Florida, anyone know?

Alan

[Schoe]

The only place I could find them around home in ILL. was along the old Rock Island Lines Railroad tracks. There were some fairly young trees which were loaded with the worms. Like you say the Cats loved them. Since then progress has taken over and the trees have either been cleared or sprayed and I haven't found a tree with worms for the last 20 years. The Trees are messy but if I can find some small ones to plant on my property I would transplant the worms. I know this works cause when we were finding them we put them on some trees blocks away and they did well for several years until they were cleared.
Maybe I could make a deal with someone to trade the secret "Butter Worms" for some Catalpas. Both will UPS fine. The Butter Worms are a killer bait for Bluegills and Crappie. Schoe

[capt.kirk]

ALAN
I havent run across any since i moved to florida,but there should be some
bait supplier that would have them when there in season,iwill look in my
newest bait catalog from ohio,and see what they may have to offer,
chances of finding some are slim to none.I did notice that they ship
live leeches,and that is another good bait.
KIRK

[Environmentor]

While reading the post on "Katobie" worms the first thing that came to my mind was the catalpa worm. My question is are they one and the same? I have never heard of a "Katobie" worm and my Peterson Field Guide to Insects doesn't give me anything on this worm. Also, a google of the "Katobie" worm came up blank. Also, I have never found any catalpa worms around here, and I check every catalpa tree that I pass.

[Stump Bumper]

Alot of the folks in Wewahitchka Florida plant Catalpa tree's on their property for that exact reason. They are a killer bait for channel cats on the Apalachicola and Chipola rivers. When they harvest the worms they put them into containers and fill the containers with 7UP or Sprite then freeze them for use later. Something about the carbonated soda and sugar mixture helps the worms maintain their color and firmness....Ray

[Schoe]

Ron, I think they are one in the same kind of worm. It's kind of like, you, you'ns, and y'all. Just different interpretation of the word I think. Schoe

[FisherBuddy]

do you turn the worms inside out as you put them on the hook?? KIRK

We don't turn them inside out. Mostly, we thread them like redworms. I haven't found anywhere online to order them frozen, but I know a lot of people around Eastern and Middle TN use them to fish the big lakes and streams with great success.:D

[FisherBuddy]

Schoe and Environmentor,

I hadn't ever heard of the catlpa worms, so I (as usual) went online for a little insight. Funny that you asked about them being one and the same...they are! My granny calls them and the tree Katobie (so do a lot of other southerners apparently). But looking at the picture here:

http://www.catalpaworms.com/

I found they are the same. Interesting view from different spots in the country...

But we've never turned them inside out. We might try that next time.

[Tee]

Don't just use them for catfish, they are EXCELLENT bream bait. Pinch them in half, turn the half inside out over the hook and HOLD ON!!!!!!!!
You can put them in sawdust and freeze them too.

[FisherBuddy]

Thanks, Tee. We don't fish for bream often. Trout and Cats are about all we go for these days. Not sure why, but maybe those have been the only ones that jump in the boat! LOL!

[Live2Fish]

I especially like using corn for trout. They seem to jump out of the water for it.:D

I haven't tried the worms yet. I've been trying to figure out what makes them more attractive than regular red worms.

Anyone know?

[FisherBuddy]

Live2Fish,

I'm not sure what makes the worms more attractive. It might have something to do with their chemistry. It might also have something to do with the fuzz on them. Who knows? I just know they work like a charm. =)

[craig20110]

whoa thoes little crawlly things are useful? a tree in my yard always gets them and i can always find tons in my yard, i guess now i need to start saving them,

[Schoe]

Craig20110, I wish you lived closer we would do some kind of trading for some of those worms. I had a few trees around here that had them but they have either died or have been cut down. Schoe

[craig20110]

Craig20110, I wish you lived closer we would do some kind of trading for some of those worms. I had a few trees around here that had them but they have either died or have been cut down. Schoe
WEll im not totaly sure were talking about the same thing, cus the pics in the link befor they were kinda green, mine or brown and fussy, i bet they will work still, i might get a few and see how they work tomorrow,