But trout can use their sense of smell to locate live bait, such as worms, even when cloudy water limits visibility. There are actually many different kinds of worms, but perhaps the favorite among anglers are the larger species generically called nightcrawlers. Nightcrawlers are readily available at tackle shops and even convenience stores. For those who prefer to take a hands-on approach to collecting their opening day bait, it s easy to round up nightcrawlers right in your own backyard. Better yet, search for nightcrawlers after a rain storm.
Water saturating the soil forces worms to the surface.
Nightcrawlers don t have eyes, but they are sensitive to light. Don t shine a flashlight directly on them, or they ll detect you and escape. Likewise, while they don t have ears, nightcrawlers are very sensitive to vibrations. So move slowly and quietly when approaching them. Try to grab the part of the worm closest to its burrow.