Elk County Forum

General Category => The Coffee Shop => Topic started by: Joanna on August 25, 2009, 07:38:08 AM

Title: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Joanna on August 25, 2009, 07:38:08 AM
I have some lovely catalpa worms that are supposed to be good for fish bait. 
Anyone want to come pick some? ::) I'd be tickled pink to get rid of the creatures. :P

I read at http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bulletins/catalpasphinx/catalpasphinx.htm and looks like I will probalby kill them with the same stuff I'm using for grubs and ants and fleas now... but not while they're on the trees.
Nasty things keep dropping their bb size pellets on my pretty sidewalk.  >:(
Anyhow, I don't fish, but if you're hankering for some fresh bait, bring your ladder and come gather some up 8) :-* :)
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Mom70x7 on August 25, 2009, 09:28:42 AM
And if you don't get enough at Joanna's, come on over!
;D    ;D    ;D    ;D
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: sixdogsmom on August 25, 2009, 09:50:38 AM
Actually these make the best bait for Bluegill ever. They are small enough to fit easily on a small hook and are tough and wiggle a lot. Perfect for the kids to fish with. Lots of fun!  :D
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Teresa on August 25, 2009, 01:04:36 PM
Really......? I never ever thought of it.. What a great way for Ashley and Mason to have fish bait without the cost of buying worms that seem to disappear 1/2 second after putting them on the hook.
Wonder what kind of dirt or leaves or what you would have to put them in to keep them from dying.
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: flintauqua on August 25, 2009, 02:00:16 PM
From About.com  (I know, not the most reliable site, but they reprinted the info from somewhere . . .  :P)

"The catalpa caterpillar is tough in texture. The worm oozes a bright fluorescent green fluid that smells sweet when put on a hook. The tough skin makes for staying hooked and a fresh worm will attract fish with its smell and its wiggle. It is revered as the best fish bait to be found naturally.
Catalpa worms can be preserved alive by placing them in cornmeal packed in an air tight container and frozen. It has been said that when this container is opened and the worms are removed from the meal, they thaw and become active and as effective in catching fish as ever.

Another method of preserving the caterpillar for future use is "pickling" them in a baby food jar filled with corn syrup. The jar should be immediately stored in a refrigerator and has an indefinite shelf life. "

They also had a photo of a bucket of catalpa worms crawling on and through a handful of green leaves.

Charles
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Teresa on August 25, 2009, 02:45:09 PM
well then.. I'll come by and get some Joanna.
I'll freeze them to death in cornmeal.

I just hope I don't forget and make corncatapiller bread  :P
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Rudy Taylor on August 25, 2009, 02:53:49 PM
Teresa, you may be onto something there.

Could be your next successful venture.

;)
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: greatguns on August 25, 2009, 02:58:45 PM
I'm not eating any of her cornbread.  No, not me! ;D
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Ms Bear on August 25, 2009, 05:37:03 PM
If you don't get enough there you can come to Texas and get some in my yard.  Love to fish but haven't tried them for bait.
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Catwoman on August 25, 2009, 05:39:47 PM
All I can say, to all of the aforementioned is....


EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: larryJ on August 25, 2009, 06:08:41 PM
Hmmm--------------not a fisherwoman, eh, Cat?  I can't imagine living in Elk County and not have gone fishin' just once.

Larryj
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: flintauqua on August 25, 2009, 06:11:17 PM
I was going to say something about fishing, but I'll start a different thread.
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: sixdogsmom on August 25, 2009, 06:49:19 PM
I have been poking around a little bit to see if they are edible for humans. I would guess that they are, I understand that there is very little that is not edible. Chocolate covered maybe? We might have a new industry in the process.
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Tobina+1 on August 26, 2009, 09:30:54 AM
I'm echoing Catwoman... EEEEEWWWWW!
These nasty worms eat up my tomato plants if I don't watch them carefully!  (At least they look like the same worm.)

And, we may be evicted from EK County, but neither my hubby or I care for fishing.
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Wilma on August 26, 2009, 11:07:40 AM
Jeez, Tobina, you have just destroyed my illusion that you were perfect.
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Joanna on August 26, 2009, 02:50:13 PM
I don't know Wilma... seems like a little flaw makes her even more perfect 'cause she's even more like the rest of us  ;D

I don't fish either, but I used to love it; as a kid my family spent every summer weekend camping at the river & fishing.  I have a champion tournament fisherman son, but he's all wrapped up in "catch & release" nonsense.   :P

Our neighbor Donnie has a fish fry occasionally and invites us over; it's the best fish ever because I don't have to catch, clean or cook it; plus get to viist with lots of friends at the same time!  ;D
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Wilma on August 26, 2009, 06:47:17 PM
I've had some of his fish and it is good, but it can't hold a candle to what my mother used to fry in an old iron skillet in lard.
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Tobina+1 on August 27, 2009, 08:02:33 AM
No, NOT perfect, that's for sure!   ::)

Well, I don't care to fish, but I do like to eat fish!  We just got back from visiting hubby's family in FL and had some catfish "sharpies"... they are no bigger than your hand and fried with the fins on.  First thing you eat is the crusty fins, then you carefully bite down on the meat and pull it from the bones.  Looks like the cartoon fish bones when you're done (minus the head).  Isn't it interesting how around here, people want to catch the BIGGEST catfish... and elsewhere, the small ones are the ones to catch!?

So, Joanna, did you get rid of all your worms?  I hope Teresa didn't leave you some cornbread for a trade!   :P
Title: Re: Catalpa sphinx worms
Post by: Teresa on August 27, 2009, 09:23:13 AM
 Kjell and Massages have been keeping me busy for the past few days.. And my late nights have been totally taken up with being addicted to Farkle on Facebook! ( That game is going to be the death of me yet.. LOL  ;D)
So Darn it...Haven't had a chance to get the worms yet... and we catch crappy , perch and bull gill and clean cook and at them the way you are describing Tobino.. ( minus the head) the crunchy  tail is the best part.. but you're right . They look just like cartoon Sylvester's fish bone when you are done.  :)