How bad is a sandworm or bloodworm bite?

Question

I hate sounding like a wuss, but the teeth on these critters scare me (maybe it's partly from remembering scenes in the 1976 horror movie "Squirm"). I was out porgy fishing a few weeks ago and used sandworms for the first time, and when trying to put the hook in one these sharp black pincers shot out of it's mouth, firmly grabbed hold of the hook and just wouldn't let go. I'm accustomed to using nightcrawlers and wigglers, not worms that fight back! How bad is it if they grab hold of your finger, and does anybody have any tips for hooking them as easily/safely as possible?

Answer 1

Have not got a clue but I would keep my fingers behind the front end at all times.  Wear a glove to handle them.

Answer 2

I thought I was the only person that watched that horrible movie. "I borrowed you long that truck." I have never used sandworms, but bloodworms are not a problem. I think the worms in squirm were nightcrawlers anyway. As long as they do not come out your shower head you will be safe.

Answer 3

hi,u should hold the head part firmly with the lower face of that worm  facing u so that u could hook the worm into the hook tip first when it is trying to bite u,the mouth open up for the entrance to the tip easier.once into the hook the worm will have no chance to bite u anymore.u could stunned the worm by give it a few knock lightly on any hard surface so the worm wont be too vigorous or simply hold the worm with some cloth.always head/mouth part into the hook first.simply a few squeeze the worm will be less lively.I always hold the worm and wait for the mouth to open up/when its biting then thread it into the tip.anyway the bite is harmless just sometimes painful if the rag/blood is very big.enjoy

Answer 4

Take a knife and cut the heads off before you try to handle these worms. You won't get pinched and the scent will spread faster in the water.

Answer 5

Been nipped a few times .

it will get your attention  & really gross.

Reminds me of the alien movies.

I press on the little devils w/ my knife till the toothy part comes out , then cut it off  & put it on the hook just for revenge.

Answer 6

It hurts....What i do is Get them to shoot there heads out and the i cut that part off o they cant bite you. Make sure you dont squeeze them after that though because all there blood will drip out