How to Grunt Worms

What, you might be asking yourself, is grunting worms?

Grunting worms is an arcane practice, a bit of fishing lore passed on occasionally from grandfatherly types willing to share their knowledge with avid young novice fishermen. One might not always have the requisite multiple dollars to purchase fish bait, so grunting for worms is a unique and fun alternative.

While this activity is likely to be productive in the wilderness of a Florida pine hammock, if you are diligent, you might find success in your own backyard.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sturdy wooden stake (preferably a 2 X 4)
• Axe or hatchet (another 2 X 4 can be substituted)
• Bucket or can to hold worms

1. Assemble your grunting implements.
   
   Sharpen one end of a 2 X 4 so that it can be pounded into the ground. The finished 2 X 4 stake should be approximately 2 – 3 feet long, to allow for at least about a foot or so in the ground and about a foot above ground.
   
   If you do not have access to an axe or hatchet, get a second 2 X 4 for the grunting. In this case, you would also need a hammer or small sledge hammer to drive the stake into the ground.
   
   *This choice of second 2 X 4 is safer for unsupervised young children.

2. Locate a likely looking area for earthworm habitat.
   
   Shaded areas of undisturbed landscape, with moist, loosely packed dirt and perhaps some mounded leaf debris are possible choices.
   
   Visible worm castings are a good sign, but not always a guarantee of worms present.

3. Partially fill your bucket with moist, rich soil, preferably from the area of the worm habitat.

4. 
   Drive the 2 X 4 stake into the ground to a depth of about a foot or more.

   Use the head of your axe or hammer to drive the 2 X 4 stake deep into the ground.

5. 
   Apply pressure while pushing the head of your axe across the top of the stake.

   NOW YOU ARE READY TO GRUNT!
   
   Kneel or squat, or situate yourself before the stake in a comfortable stance to be able to manipulate the tools.
   
   Use the metal head of the axe (or the side of the second 2 X 4) to grunt. Push the grunting tool heavily across the top of the stake, pressing down as you stroke.
   
   If you are using your grunting tools accurately, you will hear a distinct “grunt” from the stake. The ground surrounding you will reverberate. Leaves and debris loose on the ground will visibly vibrate.
   
   Worms will miraculously appear on the surface!

Tips & Warnings

• Eventually your 2 X 4 stake will become frayed and tufted. This is to be desired, and shows the efforts of a true worm grunting expert.
• It helps to have two people, particularly if one is a youngster. Besides, it's just more fun.
• The use of an axe or hatchet should be supervised by an adult.

[wordwhirler]

on 5/15/2009 Whoa! Have to have Mr. Wordwhirler check this out =)

[godfather25]

on 5/9/2009 Great article on grunt worms! 5*