Why Do Fish Like Worms?

It’s no secret that worms are one of the best forms of live fishing bait, but the reasons why are slightly blurred. Worms might not seem like the tastiest or most nutritional snack for fish, so why do fish like worms so much?

The short answer is that most fish are opportunistic feeders, which means they will eat virtually anything that looks somewhat edible. It’s rare for a fish to be picky, but they’re more likely to be picky about man-made bait compared to a live worm.

Here is the ultimate guide on why fish like worms and why worms are such a popular form of live bait amongst most anglers!

The majority of fish species are opportunistic feeders. With such an abundance of worms available in their habitat, the wriggly little invertebrates make up for a huge part of their diet. It’s unlikely for a fish to turn away such a vital source of food when it’s dangling above them – even if it’s hanging off the end of a hook.

Most importantly, worms are one of the easiest sources of food for a fish to eat. Worms don’t have eyes or sharp teeth, meaning they can’t adjust to the light or dark and never know when a predator is nearby. It’s often too easy for a fish to gobble up a worm, which is probably the main reason why they enjoy them so much.

Here are the other reasons why fish like worms!

Worms Are A Good Food Source

Worms amongst other natural food sources in a fish’s natural habitat are undoubtedly far more beneficial to a wild fish compared to man-made fish food. While man-made fish food can be filled with nutrients and flavors designed to entice fish, nothing quite compares to a slippery worm.

Fish are used to eating worms as a source of protein in their diets alongside shrimps, insects, eels, and more. Such defenseless prey is ideal for most fish species, particularly the non-aggressive ones who don’t want to put up a fight in order to get food.

Earthworms require moist soil and dead plant matter to survive. As earthworms are one of nature’s best soil cleansers, they naturally consume a large number of natural nutrients and minerals in the earth. Once a fish eats an earthworm, they also consume the nutritional benefits.

Worms Taste Good

While we humans might disagree, worms generally taste delicious to fish. Like I said earlier, most fish species are opportunistic feeders who will eat just about anything. In most cases, fish go nuts for worms, and it’s probably down to the delicious taste of the wriggly bugs. Of course, some fish will be unreasonably picky, but worms are typically a safe food source for most food species.

The reason why worms taste so good to fish is that they are basically thick, plump tubes of blood. It’s pretty gross, but it’s the truth. As well as blood, worms are filled with dead organic matter and whatever else they find in their natural moist-soil habitats, which essentially adds a bit of seasoning to the fish.

Marine worms and earthworms are essential sources of protein for fish like bass, walleye, trout, bluegill, perch, and more. The juicer and plumper the worm, the happier the fish is. This means that if you want to catch fish using worms, you’ll find the best results when using the biggest worms possible. In theory, this should also encourage the larger fish to fight for the worm over the smaller fish, resulting in a larger catch.

As well as tasting good, worms possess an earthy scent that fish are naturally drawn towards. In most cases, a fish is likely to be attracted to the scent of a worm before they see it. This is the reason why when anglers use worms as live bait, they are likely to catch fish quite quickly.

Worms Are Easy To Eat

Worms are defenseless invertebrates that aren’t likely to put up a fight when eaten by a fish. The availability of worms is met with their easy-to-eat nature, which is probably the main reason why fish enjoy them so much.

The only times a worm might be difficult for a fish to eat is when the worm is too large for young fish, or if a particular worm species has a unique defense mechanism. Bristle worms, for example, exhibit tiny bristles that cover their bodies that work to sting nearby predators. In some cases, however, brave fish will eat these worms regardless.

Worms also don’t have eyes or ears, meaning they lack the key senses that would otherwise warn them when a predator is nearby. As they are so easy to catch and devour, it makes sense that fish like them.

Types Of Worms As Fishing Bait

As well as eating worms in their natural habitats as a tasty snack, fish are also drawn to worms that are used as live bait. Here are the main types of worms used as fishing bait.

Bloodworms

As the name suggests, bloodworms are filled with blood, giving them a plump and juicy appearance that is irresistible to fish. These worms are quite short, but they work to attract fish of all sizes thanks to their bright red appearance and pungent earthy smell.

Nightcrawlers

Nightcrawlers are arguably the most common worm used as live bait. These worms are long and plump, which works to attract large game fish in a variety of habitats including lakes, ponds, and rivers. Nightcrawlers are known to spasm a lot, especially when caught, which is why certain fish will hook onto the worm to allow for an easy catch.

Mealworms

Mealworms are smaller than both nightcrawlers and bloodworms, but their size doesn’t affect their attractiveness to fish. A lot of fish prefer mealworms thanks to their crunchy texture, providing a nice change to slippery earthworms!

Leeches

Leeches are a great source of protein for fish, especially if the leech is thick from feeding on blood. While they might be considered a pest amongst humans, they make for a great live bait source.

Why Do Fish Like Worms?