Cinder Worm Hatch - Peconic River

[Albieaddict]

Fished the river on May 16 (first quarter moon) and of all things stumbled onto a sizeable cinder worm hatch. I always thought that these hatches were around a new moon. :confused: It made for a great bass event until a nasty fog rolled in. Any info on the timing of these hatches?

[danny]

i thought they were on the moon, too. the palolo worm hatch (in florida) usually is, i guess i thought it was the same kind of thing. good that you walked into it. i've seen it with tarpon, and it's crazy. you must have had a great time...

[mgustav]

There are around 400 species of nereis worms. This particular species, perhaps, has different requirements.

[confluential]

What pattern do you guys use in a cinder worm hatch? Is the goal to match it or distinguish your bait from it? I've never used a cinder worm pattern. Do they look like a San Juan Worm only for saltwater?

[Albieaddict]

I did pretty well that night with a shrimp pattern that I played around with this winter. I'd like to believe that my playing around paid off, but in reality it was about an inch long and so were the worms. My personal experience in these hatches before the other night were never as good since I've never carried any flies an inch long or shorter so I'm beginning to think matching the length of the worms is important. I've also got a buddy who swears by timing your fishing around the end of the hatch. These hatches can draw bass in huge numbers and once the worms are gone, the bass become a little easier.

[Sedotti]

These mating swarms, they're not hatches, that word somehow icorrectly caught on, can happen on ANY moon phase once they start. Meaning it can happen any day. The heaviest swarms, though, are around the new and full moons, and on the day (or night ) of the quarter moon. I think it's because of increased activity in the ecosystem during these lunar phases. When the water temp pushes quickly right into 72 degrees (usually in July) the Cinder Worms will "push" into a big swarm regardless of moon phase (meaning they do it earlier than "planned") if they haven't already finished their usual mooned cycle. But really, you can see at least some worms at any time. In my experience swarming starts at 60 degrees and stops when water gets above 72. Sometimes it "restarts" when the water temps again dip below 73. Keep watching.

Marco

[flysully]

"In my experience swarming starts at 60 degrees and stops when water gets above 72." Well, I think all here on Long Island can agree that the water temp on the Peconic River, or elsewhere here on Long Island, has not yet reached the 60 degree mark so it seems albieaddict was lucky to come upon a cinder worm hatch so early in the season. Our water's been pretty cold this year and to hear of a cinder worm hatch occurring this early in the season, although it seems to have occurred in the last week or so, is really unusual. Go, albieaddict!

[mgustav]

The worms mating is triggered by a certain temp. I have found cinder worms in Moriches Bay in early March along the sod banks at low tide on a clear day. The water was warm. They don't need deep water. Salt ponds can heat up quickly in late winter and spring, they mate a high tide comes in and washes them out. As Marc said, it happens all year round.

[CaptSuperfly]

As a rule, I have to agree with Marc as to the temps (start around 60 degrees). Funny though, about a full 5 or 6 weeks ago, I happened to check out Stony Brook harbor (a great worm site) and there was a swarm of larger worms. Tons of them in the middle of the day. Nothing was picking on them, but they were EVERYWHERE. There are so many species of these things, it's really hard to make solid rules, only best bets. Those sod banks often have dark bottoms and can heat up real quick.

Still, whatever the species, it's always great to watch the bass turn on a feed.

[jim1205]

I caught one monday and got a 30'' fish. It only lasted a shortwhile.