Cinderworms in Texas Bay

We stopped to wadefish an area. We got out and noticed thousands of 4-5 inch worms swimming very fast atop the water's surface. They were getting sucked up by speckled trout and were within the mouths of the speckled trout we caught. We caught five to seven trout to about 23 inches off the bat before the fish got picky and would only eat the worms.
...and was very happy to be wearing waders in the waist deep water.

Supposedly, the worms come out in certain water temperatures during certain times of the year; which creates a very big feast for speckled trout and redfish.

"They are nereid worms aka "Cinderworms" (probably family Nereididae) based on the behavior and picts. I can't be 100% b/c there are tons of similar species, so I can't tell you exactly from picts w/o a microscope."

"These worms are actually pretty common. This typical behavior happens at night under certain conditions, so people don’t usually see it."
Greg Stunz, Ph.D.
Endowed Associate Research Professor,
Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies
Associate Professor of Marine Biology
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

One angler reported catching 3 trout around 26 inches by rigging the worms on a jig head.


-www.kyletomek.com-

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Bay
• worms
• fishing
• texas
• coast
• worm

[streetracingfaster]

Jay

[xXhatenoobtubersXx]

worms can swim?



[guielidess]

kool!!!

[davmaie4evr]

they looks kind of like the pile worms and blood worms we use out here in Cali. more of the blood worms tho. did they have any fangs on them??

[niclassj]

Looks just like a sand worm in a different colour.

[VladTepesph]

Aliens!!!! We're all gonna die!!!

[adams167]

it has special taginazation bristles i am guessing its a form of nematoad

[texasflats]

So they're not eels?

[galvetraz302]

Thats pretty freakin interesting!

[Louisvillecpl24]

thats weird!