Top 3 Best Worms To Grow For Fishing

The Top 3 Worms for Fishing (Plus How to Grow Each)

1. European Nightcrawler (aka Eisenia hortensis)

The European Nightcrawler is the clear winner in the worm world—resilient, easy to manage, and a fantastic bait option. This worm is known for its size (bigger than the red wiggler, smaller than the Canadian Nightcrawler), and its impressive ability to wriggle with vigor, making it irresistible to fish.

How to Grow European Nightcrawlers

These worms are low-maintenance and thrive in a wide range of conditions, which makes them perfect for both beginners and seasoned worm growers.

• Container: Use a plastic tub or wooden crate with holes drilled for ventilation.
• Bedding: Fill the container with moist bedding, like shredded newspaper or coconut coir. Keep the moisture level similar to a wrung-out sponge—too dry and they’ll dry out, too wet and they’ll drown.
• Temperature: European Nightcrawlers prefer temperatures between 60-75°F. They can handle a bit of variation but try to avoid extreme heat or cold.
• Feeding: They’ll happily munch on fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and crushed eggshells. Avoid anything too acidic (like citrus) or salty.
• Breeding: These worms reproduce quickly, and in no time, you’ll have a thriving colony of bait-sized wrigglers. After a few months, you’ll notice more worms, and the bedding will need replacing.

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2. Red Wigglers (aka Eisenia fetida)

Red Wigglers are smaller than European Nightcrawlers but still pack a punch in the fishing world. They’re great for composting, too, as they break down organic material like champions. However, for fishing purposes, their size makes them more suitable for smaller fish species.

How to Grow Red Wigglers

Red Wigglers are easy to grow, especially if you’re also interested in composting your kitchen waste. They thrive in compost piles or worm bins, making them the perfect dual-purpose worm.

• Container: A simple plastic bin or wooden box works great. As with any worm bin, make sure there’s good ventilation.
• Bedding: Red Wigglers love a damp mixture of shredded cardboard, newspaper, and a bit of garden soil. Keep the bedding loose and moist but not waterlogged.
• Temperature: Red Wigglers prefer temperatures between 55-77°F. They’re a little more temperature-sensitive than European Nightcrawlers, so make sure they’re not exposed to extreme heat or cold.
• Feeding: These worms thrive on organic scraps like fruit peels, veggie bits, and coffee grounds. Like their European cousins, avoid feeding them citrus, spicy foods, or anything salty.
• Breeding: Red Wigglers are prolific breeders. With the right environment, you’ll see a constant increase in your worm population. Harvest them regularly to keep your colony healthy.

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3. Canadian Nightcrawlers (aka Lumbricus terrestris)

For those targeting larger fish or deep-water fishing, Canadian Nightcrawlers are your go-to worm. They’re larger than European Nightcrawlers, making them ideal for catching bigger fish. However, these worms are a bit high-maintenance when it comes to their environment.

How to Grow Canadian Nightcrawlers

Canadian Nightcrawlers are more challenging to grow than their European cousins. They require cooler temperatures, and they don’t reproduce as quickly. If you’re up for the challenge, here’s how to keep these giants happy:

• Container: Canadian Nightcrawlers need more space than smaller worms, so use a larger bin. Please make sure the bin is deep, as they like to burrow.
• Bedding: These worms prefer rich, loamy soil mixed with leaf litter. Keep the soil moist but not overly wet—Canadian Nightcrawlers don’t like soggy conditions.
• Temperature: This is where things get tricky. Canadian Nightcrawlers need a cool environment to thrive, typically between 45-65°F. Anything above 70°F can stress them out. A basement or garage is usually a good spot to keep them cool.
• Feeding: Like their nightcrawler cousins, Canadian Nightcrawlers enjoy organic scraps, though they tend to eat more slowly. Feed them fruit peels, veggie scraps, and coffee grounds in moderation.
• Breeding: Canadian Nightcrawlers reproduce much slower than other worms. If you’re growing them for bait, don’t expect to have a massive population quickly. However, their size makes them worth the wait for catching bigger fish.

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Meme’s Worms: Your One-Stop-Shop for European Nightcrawlers 🛒

Look, you could try your hand at raising worms from scratch, but let’s face it—sometimes you just need a quick fix. That’s where Meme’s Worms comes in. The highest quality European Nightcrawlers, packed and shipped right to your door faster than you can say “Wormtopia.”

Here’s what you’ll get when you order:

• Hand-picked, energetic worms: These bad boys are full of life and ready to wriggle.
• Guaranteed wriggle power: If your worms don’t wriggle like a caffeinated squirrel, Meme’s Worms will replace them—no questions asked.
• Convenient delivery: Order today, and get your bait delivered faster than the fish can steal your lunch.

You know what they say: “The early bird gets the worm, but the smart angler buys from Meme’s Worms.” 🛍️

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Simple Worm Bins You Can Build

Feeling crafty? Building your own worm bin is a simple weekend project that can save you tons on bait in the long run. Here’s a quick guide for two easy-to-build bins:

1. The Plastic Tub Bin

• Materials: Two plastic tubs, a drill, newspaper, and food scraps.
• Instructions:
  1. Drill small holes in the bottom of one tub for drainage.
  2. Place the drilled tub inside the second tub.
  3. Fill with bedding and worms. The inner tub will allow moisture to drain while keeping your worms happy in their bedding.

2. The Wooden Crate Bin

• Materials: Wooden slats, a hammer, nails, and a breathable cover (like burlap).
• Instructions:
  1. Build a simple box from the wooden slats.
  2. Add a breathable bottom using mesh or screen.
  3. Fill with bedding and worms. The wood allows for natural aeration.

These DIY worm bins are cheap, easy, and give you all the wormy goodness you need.

Worm Bins You Can Buy: For the Less Crafty Among Us

Not into DIY? No problem! Here are some top-rated worm bins you can buy online and have delivered faster than you can say “worm farm”:

• The Worm Factory 360: A stackable, modular worm bin that’s perfect for beginners. Easy to use, easy to clean, and takes up minimal space.
• VermiHut Plus 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin: For those who are serious about growing an army of worms. This bin gives you lots of space for your wriggling workers.
• Urban Worm Bag: Durable and breathable, this hanging worm bag is great for small spaces or urban settings. Plus, it looks cool—if a giant sack of worms can look cool, that is.

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Worm Care: Keep Those Wrigglers Happy

Now that you’ve got your worms, how do you keep them alive and happy? Worm care is surprisingly simple, but there are a few golden rules to follow:

• Moisture: Worm care requires moisture, but too much can drown them. Keep the bedding moist, like a wrung-out sponge—damp, but not soaking wet. Worms can’t swim, and you definitely don’t want your wrigglers turning into worm soup.
• Temperature: Worms are picky about temperature. Keep them in a comfortable range—between 60-75°F for European Nightcrawlers and Red Wigglers, and between 45-65°F for Canadian Nightcrawlers. Extremes in temperature can stress them out or worse, kill them.
• Feeding: Feed them a steady diet of fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, and crushed eggshells. They’ll munch through most kitchen scraps, but avoid feeding them meat, dairy, citrus, or anything too spicy or salty. Think of them as the vegan neighbors who avoid anything that would disrupt their delicate, soil-making ecosystem.
• Harvest the Castings: Worm poop, or “castings,” is basically black gold for your garden. Every few months, harvest the castings and replace the bedding. Castings are rich in nutrients and make excellent fertilizer for your plants. It’s like having a free supply of organic plant food right under your nose (or feet).
• Population Control: Worms are prolific breeders, especially Red Wigglers. Keep an eye on your worm population. If you start seeing too many worms for the space, it’s time to harvest a few for your next fishing trip—or share some with friends who are itching to start their own worm farm!

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Wrapping It Up: Wiggle Your Way to Fishing Success

Fishing with worms is one of the most reliable and timeless methods, and European Nightcrawlers are your best bet for a successful haul. Whether you buy them from Meme’s Worms or raise them yourself, these worms are sure to make your fishing trips more productive and fun.

Plus, with a little care and attention, your worm farm can become a long-lasting, sustainable bait source. And if you’re the kind of person who likes to make things from scratch, DIY worm bins are easy and fun projects to keep your slimy friends happy and productive.

So go ahead—start your worm farm, build that worm bin, or just buy one (we won’t judge). Just make sure you’ve got plenty of wrigglers ready the next time you hit the water. Trust me, the fish won’t know what hit ’em (spoiler: it’s your bait).

Tight lines and happy fishing! 🎣🐟