An unusual worm as bait
The trawl worm is a long, rounded worm. It can reach 50 centimetres in length. Its body is covered with small legs on either side. Its color tends towards bright red, ranging from brown to orange. Its name comes from the fact that it is most often harvested in the Mediterranean by benthic trawls on sandy-muddy bottoms over 10 meters deep.
Trawl worm fishing
Trawl worms are used all along the Mediterranean coast to select the finest sea bass and gilthead bream. It is also very popular with other sparids such as sars and pagres. It is also a good bait for tracking sea bass on the Atlantic coast.
It is mainly used in pieces, due to its long length, when surfcasting or jigging. A worm needle can be used to facilitate setting on the hook. An effective bait, sought-after by the most beautiful fish, especially after a sea breeze.
Harvesting and preserving trawl worms
It's not easy to harvest trawl worms yourself, because as we've already seen, they live in imposing depths. However, it is sometimes possible to find them along Mediterranean beaches, in the surf or right on the shore, after a spell in the sea.
The easiest way to get trawl worms is to buy them from your local tackle store. A worm, it's true, that's rather expensive, but it's also a great way to catch fish.
Trawl worms are easily preserved in a little seawater and sand in the fridge. It can also be frozen and refrozen for future sessions, even after having been used during a fishing session. An important point that somewhat offsets its high cost.
Trawl worms give off a pronounced orange liquid when handled. Your hands will remember the color for days to come. And that's why you need to keep the water clean to keep the trawl worms alive.
