Learning how to freeze Catalpa worms sounds complex but…
It’s actually pretty simple once you know the basics!
By freezing these worms, you can always guarantee a fresh supply of good quality bait for your next fishing adventure.
So, if you want to know how to get this process done and the tools you need, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to discover insider secrets and tricks to freezing Catalpa worms that will help boost your catch each time!
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How to Freeze Catalpa Worms – Know Before You Start
Catalpa worms are excellent fish baits used by fishing experts for years.
These worms are common on Catalpa trees, and there is an abundance of these crawlers during springtime. The best place to go to catch some Catalpa worms is in the southern regions of the United States.
However, there is one thing to note about these critters – they are not exactly worms. In fact, they are more like caterpillars before brown moths enter maturity.
These are juicy worms that many types of fish love to munch. This is why it is a fantastic bait highly regarded for the success they offer in fishing.
How to Get Catalpa Worms
As mentioned previously, the best season to collect these worms is in the spring.
At this time, these large caterpillars strip the Catalpa tree of its foliage. Yet, it does not hurt the tree. On the contrary, it actually helps the tree to become healthier because of these worms.
You should be able to pick out these Catalpa worms easily right off the tree. Then, you can place them temporarily into a jar. Be sure to leave a few leaves that these worms can munch.
Where to Find Catalpa Worms For Bait
Now, do keep in mind that Catalpa worms are large caterpillar-like creatures. They come with a yellow body and black markings on both sides. They also grow up to 5 cm.
Catalpa worms prefer to feed on leaves of trees, specifically the Southern and Northern Catalpa trees. You can find them when you notice a bunch of Catalpa leaves chewed out. In fact, the leaves may appear to be nearly gone as these worms use this food for nutrition.
Other Catalpa worms are available underground. They stay hidden from predators.
Newly-hatched Catalpa worms are available during summer and spring. They may even begin spitting the moment you grab and pick them up. However, you should simply ignore this spitting action and gently stuff the worms in your container.
What’s Good about Catalpa Worms?
Many fishing enthusiasts would swear by the successful results that Catalpa worms offer.
Whether you are looking to catch a bream or a catfish, you can catch them all by using Catalpa worms as bait.
These are tough worms during their maturity. Thus, you will have to cut them up before you use them as bait. Once sliced up, the worms emit a pungent odor that fish cannot resist.
It is the scent that attracts fish – just a little whiff and they are drawn towards your squiggly bait.
Ideally, one worm can be cut up in 3 to 4 small pieces. But what’s interesting about this worm is the toughness of the skin. You should be able to use the same bait to catch your next fish!
When using the bait, be sure to place the hook through its thick skin once or a couple of times. This way, the fish will not easily snatch up the bait while out into the water.
How to Freeze Catalpa Worms in 5 Steps
Are you looking to increase your chances of boosting your catch the next fishing season?
In this case, Catalpa worms can help you with that.
This particular worm is highly regarded by experts as effective bait for a variety of fish such as carp, bass, panfish, and catfish. You can be sure that your target will be unable to resist this bait because of its enticing smell and flavor.
Thus, it is important to know how to freeze Catalpa worms to make sure they stay fresh. This will also allow you to keep them for a longer period. You should have a steady supply of this bait for your fishing needs.
Check out these 5 steps on how to freeze Catalpa worms the quick, simple, and easy way!
1. Prepare your materials.
You need a few basic tools to preserve Catalpa worms. These include:
- Catalpa worms
- Zipper bag
- Paper towels
- Cornmeal/ flour
- Pot of boiling water
2. Blanch your worms.
Grab a few pieces of worms and drop them into the boiling water. Wait for them to begin floating, which means it should be fine to take them out.
3. Pat-dry using paper towels.
Once you have finished blanching the worms, the next step is to dry them with paper towels. Just pat them dry gently.
4. Cover with flour.
Now that they are nice and dry, you can begin covering them with cornmeal or flour. Pour some flour into the zipper bag and put the worms inside.
5. Freeze the worms.
Lastly, seal the bag and put it in the freezer. With worms covered in flour and frozen, they should be able to retain their texture and color once you are ready to use them as bait.
Read More: How to Keep Bloodworms Alive: The Quick Guide You Need
Check out this video on how to freeze Catalpa worms for a visual explanation of these steps:
When you are ready to use these worms as bait, simply pick them out of the bag. The moment they hit the water, they will begin to thaw – and there you go – fresh worms ready for catching fish!
Final Thoughts
The best things about freezing Catalpa worms is they are able to stay fresh and potent as bait. This is why I hope you were able to learn these simple steps on how to freeze Catalpa worms to achieve great success in your fishing adventure!
Thank You for this info!
I just bagged three bags of 10 in each Bag!
Good article!
Scott Fisher in Knoxville, Tn