Hellagramites?

[Rottilover]

When I was younger I had the best time catching smallies on the D using these little creatures . They were deadly. The bait store I used to buy them in no longer is in business . Would anyone know where I could buy them? Last Fall I turned over a ton of rocks but I couldn't locate them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Cuz]

They seem to favor the northern part of the Delaware river where the water is a little slower and shallower. There are men who pick them up there and sell them to northwestern sports shops. You are right, they are the best bait for everything in a river or stream.
Bring a nail cutter and snip their pinchers off their mouths. Then they can't grab onto the bottom. They stay good in a piece of wet burlap bag in the refrigerator.
If you buy some, please let me know where you got them. Thanks.

[15FOOTER]

Hi-way.. 31

[XXlyakattacker]

I use gulp hellgramites. Works great for smallies but I'm sure the live ones work better

[Rottilover]

Thanks for the input guys.

[calbo]

The Raritan is a good source for hellgrammites - use an umbrella net if you're alone - or a drag net if you have a buddy with you. Look for fast shallow water with a lot of flat rocks. Position the net downstream of each larger rock, or several smaller flat rocks. Turn over the rock(s) and rub the rock with your hand and the bottom of the river where the rock was removed with your foot. If there are any hellgrammites they will flow into the net.

If your luck you'll also gather other critters that are good for bass bait - small eels and stone catfish. Catfish in the 3-6" range are deadly on larger bass. You won't get many bites on the larger ones but when you do it will be a biggee.

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by 15FOOTER

Hi-way.. 31

Yeah, I occasionally see the sign up when they have them for sale.

The adult hellgramites are those enormous Dobsonflies that are drawn to lights when you're fishing at night.