Wax worms are some of the most popular live bait used for ice fishing. I’m going to explain a few different methods for hooking waxies to help you catch more fish!
What Are Wax Worms?
Wax worms are the larvae of the wax moth.
Also known as “Waxies”, these critters are very popular amongst ice fishing anglers, especially when targeting panfish.
That said, I have caught lots of other fish with this bait. They can be very effective for a number of species, and there are LOTS of presentations you can use.
Alternative answer: A squishy bag of guts.
What Kinds Of Fish Can I catch With Wax Worms?
Though most often associated with panfish, I’ve caught MANY species of fish ice fishing with Waxies.
Here’s a few:
- Bluegill / Sunfish / Bream
- White Crappie / Black Crappie
- Channel Catfish
- Largemouth Bass
- Yellow Bass
- Yellow Perch
- Walleye / Sauger
- Common Carp
Where To Buy Wax Worms
Well, this depends on where you live. Here’s a few obvious (and a couple not-so-obvious) spots to pick up some ice fishing bait.
Local Bait Shop
This is the most obvious choice. Chances are, if you live in a place where ice fishing is an option, your nearest bait & tackle shop will carry them.
Gas Stations
You can also check out any nearby gas stations that sell nightcrawlers in the summer, they will often have Waxies in the winter.
Alternative Sources
If you are having trouble finding a local bait shop with wax worms in stock, here are a couple of other options:
- Pet Shops – No, most people don’t keep waxies for pets, but it turns out that people do use them as food for lizards, birds, stuff like that!
- Amazon – They have everything. Turns out they even sell live wax worms. You can buy enough live waxies for a year’s worth of fishing in one fell swoop. They are easy to keep alive, and they work great for panfish all year long.
How To Use Wax Worms For Ice Fishing
They type of jig you use may dictate how you want to hook your wax worms. The fish may also prefer one presentation over another on any given day.
Here are a few of the ways I hook my waxies.
On Horizontal Jigs
For whatever reason, I tend to use jigs that hang horizontally more than anything. So for me, this is the “normal” way to hook a wax worm.
I simply insert the hook into the “butt” end of the bait, and thread it through the body.
If the waxie is longer than the hook, I will either let the hook come out part-way through the body, or “smush” the worm all the way onto the hook.
On Vertical Jigs
Many ice fishing jigs have a vertical design, with a “teardrop” style jig body made of lead or tungsten.
These jigs hang straight up and down. You can use the “threaded” method described above, or you can go with the “Wacky Waxie” and hook the bait crossways.
Hooking the bait crossways will sometimes make finicky fish more likely to bite. Unfortunately, it’s much easier to get your bait stolen, thanks to the soft body of the wax worm.
On Treble Hooks
On things like spoons, you will often find a treble hook dangling from the bottom of the lure.
Depending on the species you are after (and how much bait you have on hand) you might decide to hook a single worm crossways, hopefully catching at least two barbs of the hook.
You can also go “chandelier-style” and hook a waxie on each barb of the treble. This lets all three worms dangle, wave, and generally move freely as you jig the spoon up and down. This method makes a lot of movement, and can be an enticing presentation for larger fish.
Alternative Methods
These aren’t the only way to use this bait. You can get creative and combine these methods.
The “T-Bone” rig
First, hook a worm crossways, then add another threaded through the body. More meat on one hook.
Inside Out
This is gross. Since wax worms are basically a bag of goo, it’s pretty easy to push them inside out using a toothpick or a small stick. Once you’ve got your inverted goo tube, you can hook it with ANY of the previously described methods.
This will help create a scent trail to guide fish to your lure, and add flavor when they take a bite.
Conclusion
Well, there are probably more ways to hook a wax worm than there are ways to skin a cat. Everybody has their own favorite, and what works great one day might not work at all the next.
I recommend trying out a couple of methods early-on to see what the fish are into at the moment.
Hopefully this article has shown you at least one method you haven’t seen before. Give them a try! Get Creative!
Thanks for reading, now gear up and GO FISHING!
