The Giant Beach Worm (Australonuphis teres) or as it is more commonly know. The Bungum Worm.

Lurking beneath the sand at Port Noarlunga and indeed on many sandy surf beaches from Queensland to South Australia is the flesh eating Giant Beach worm. It would be fair to say that 95% of people who visit the beach would be unaware of their presence. They live under the sand around the low water mark. Although blind they have a very keen sense of smell and feed mainly on small cockles that live on the beach , decaying meat, fish and seaweeds which are washed up in the shallows. They are found up to 2.5 METERS or around 8 FEET in length!!

They are a superb bait for many species of fish found in the surf such as whiting, mullet, bream and mulloway. The capture of these worms by fishermen is an art form in itself and is described below.

First of all you need some bait to catch your bait!! A stink bait is required to lure the worms up out of the sand. This can be pieces of octopus, stingray or fish heads ( the more rotten the better ) in a sack tied to a piece of stick with a one to two meter cord. Also required is a hand bait. Cockles are excellent. Take an ice cream container or small bucket to hold your catch.

Proceed to the beach as the tide is falling to the low water mark. Wave your stink bait through the water as it washes up the beach. As the water recedes watch the the surface of the sand as the water flows down over it. You are looking for the tell tale "arrow heads" made by the worm as it pokes it's head out to investigate it's next meal. Fix your gaze on the spot where the "arrow head" appeared and stake your stink bait into the sand above where you are to try to catch your worm. Proceed gently to the area just above where you saw the arrowhead on the next rise and fall of the water. As the water flows away again it should be possible to locate the precise position of the worm which will be just visible on the surface of the sand. Now the hard part begins!! You offer the worm your hand bait at the same time placing your thumb and fore finger either side of but not touching the worms head and force them gently down into the sand. As the worm reaches for the finger bait draw it gently away from him forcing him to expose more of his head from the sand. Allow him to grab the bait with his pincers and as he arches his body to snap a piece off grasp him firmly between your thumb and fore finger and commence to pull him immediately from the sand. A pause is fatal especially with large worms as they will use their hundreds of legs to grip the sand and pull themselves from your grasp. Place your worms in a bucket of cool sea water in the shade. At the end of the day pack them in cool slightly moist sand and wrap in newspaper. About six worms to a pack is fine. Store them in a cool location and you will have a bait that will be good for three or four days.

The day after your two hour worming expedition with it's bending and squatting will see you with soreness in muscles that you never even knew existed!!!!

Fresh worms used to be available in the Tuck and Tackle Delicatessan at Port Noarlunga for around $2 for a packet of about 6. However the imposition of a $2000 dollar license fee on the gentleman who collected them soon killed off this trade. There are preserved worms available but in my humble opinion fresh are much better. So if you want the best, learn to catch them.

Two things to remember are;
1. Don't take more than you need as it is not really possible to store them. A dozen is plenty for two days fishing.
2. The beach at Port Noarlunga is within the boundaries of the AQUATIC RESERVE and the removal of any sea weeds, sponges, starfish, crustaceans, molluscs and WORMS is strictly prohibited!!!!! Offenders are frequently reported by members of the public on the FISHWATCH Hotline 1800 065 222. Resulting in the attendance of enforcement officers!!!

Offering finger bait. Note fingers in sand.

Prime beach worm.

The worm catching pictures come from a good book on fishing bait. "Bait for saltwater fishing" by Frank Marshall published by Angus and Robertson. ISBN 0207953554

The top picture of a beach worm is from an excellent book for anyone interested in the sea shore. "W.J. Dakin's classic study AUSTRALIAN SEASHORES" by Isobell Bennett also published by Angus and Robertson ISBN 0 207 15561 5.

Link to Matthew O'Brien who is doing PhD on Beachworms.

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