Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Rubber worm digestion

This weekend I caught a healthy 15 inch LMB that was hooked deep in the throat. I normally would put a fish this size back in my 3 year old pond to grow further, however he was hooked in such a way that I thought he would not survive. When I cleaned him I inspected the stomach contents and he had a 3 inch bluegill that he must had eaten an hour or so earlier and also a rubber worm. The outside of the rubber worm had erroded to a colorless sandpaper type consistency on the outside, but when I cut into it I could see that it was a green worm. I thought that a bass would eventually pass something like this - in this case I guess it didn't. Do these eventually dissolve? On another note I have never used the type of worm that I found in his stomach and don't recall the few others whom I have allowed to fish using that type. Its possible that he was one of the original 7-8" bass that I stocked a few years back and that worm may have remained in his stomach all that time?? Hence the question on dissolving worms. I hate to think I have poachers!

The bass was not likely to digest the rubber worm, in fact it may have lead to a stomach blockage.

Here is an older thread.

What's Wrong with this Bass?

I hooked a bass once and it coughed up the same exact thing, a chunk though, colorless, rough textured artifical worm, looked like a big Senko. I was shocked. I find them all of the time but don't use them myself at this pond. I think if it remains up in the stomach it eventually rots away. But if it starts to go down to the lower intestines, "maybe even the colon", it might kill the fish.

captain they will remain for a long amount of time. I have also seen the worms in the process of being "birthed". It is a sad afair for the bass I know. Does this mean "DO NOT USE PLASTICS ON MY POND!" I don't think I would go to that extreme. I have clietns that have doen that then complain they can not catch bass, I like plastics. Just be aware and limit the discardign of worms, etc. Realize a few bass from time to time might suffer or die due to the use of plastics.

On that note, I use the smallest worms I can that work. By that I mean the thinest diameter. 4-4 1/2" skinnies. I also use the smallest hooks I can get away with. I lose a few more fish, and may not hook as many, but I rarely kill a fish I land. And I c and r all of them. LMB stomach acid is pretty strong. But it was not made for artificial plastics.

Sounds like a business opportunity. Disintegrating worms! Hey...how about using a real nightcrawler?

captain already done. He was at PB conference coupel years ago. http://www.fslures.com/product-info/real-food.php

I use the Coosa sometimes. Walmart used to have them but maybe no anymore as they are cutting back the fishing sections. Real nightcrawler might last one fish, or get ravaged by bg. I can catch 5-6 bass on one worm.

How about the GULP product...manufacturers maintain it is biodegradable...

I use some of the Gulp. Just stink up everything. And once you hook a bass with that scent, they turn away from then on. Can't get a tap on those anymore. Plus you have to use them fairly quick, mine turned into a mushball in the packs.