Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Arkansas "jumpers"

I run a lanscape, nursery business in E. Central Ia. We have over the years purchased plant material from Missouri, Arkansa, Texas, etc. This process has brought along an earthworm that has proliferated readily in our mulch and potting soils-literally they are there by the 1000's. Overwinter well and keep multiplying. They make better composted soil than redworms or crawlers. When you pick them up they will literally "jump" out your hand like Mexican jumping beans, and they run like snakes and just as fast. I have been told they are called Arkansas "jumpers". Anyhow, the point of this is-I have used them for bait-they break easily when putting them on a hook and the fish seem to dislike them (actually spit them out). Are they familiar to anybody here, and if suitibale for bait how do you use them? Thanks-Postbeetle

Sounds like a grey earth worm I have in my yard in Texas. They jump around like crazy, and don't live in a container very long when dug up (have you noticed that?).

Have them in Georgia too. Have tried fishing with them, they are so thin hard to get a hook into them without breaking them in half. Boy they do move around.

I have them in my yard also. I put some of them in the soil of my banana trees but they didn't reproduce well. Wish I could get them to.

Arkansas Jumper; worm; taste bad--think I have heard this story before.