Can someone help me with the bait that is a bug of some sort found underneath rocks near the river. I was told of these on this board but don't remember the name of them. Also where around B/CS is the best place to get them (as in where are some rocky areas close by). I am going fishing again 2moro night and would love to try them. I used goldfish and salties(sp) last time and we caught 7 blues and 5 yellow cats. Biggest was 24 lbs. Thanks again for your help!

That was probably "lglidewell". He fishes the Brazos quite a bit.

helgamites (nasty looking but fish love them)

I think you are talking about a hellgrammite

I think you are talking about hellofanuglybug

I knew it was something like that but couldn't remember. Do any of you know where I could find them close to CS or if they can be bought! Thanks for your help!

edit: I googled helgamite and I'll be damned the old thread I started when I took my dad fishing with me was the first thing to pop up. iglidewell answered all my questions then and he even helped me this time and didn't have to show up on here to respond so Thank U sir!

[This message has been edited by ag_03_aj (edited 8/18/2009 9:05p).]

May be able to find them in Bryan. I dont remember the name of the bait shop but it is on 21 heading west of Wm.J.Bryan Pkwy it will be on your right, if you pass the Mexican fruit/frozen treat store (bright colored) on your right you went too far.

Also, on the Navasota heading south from hwy30, there is a rock bank about 3 miles down on your left. We would catch them there.

Good luck.

From wikipedia (don't use the method they use in the Appalachians)

quote:

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In the Appalachians, children catch these for fishing bait as a test of courage, working their fingers into the mud under rocks until a hellgrammite bites, then grabbing the creature with the other hand and throwing it into a jar. A less painful way to catch them is to stretch a mesh net across a narrow point in the stream, forcing the net to the bottom, then have others upstream turn over rocks and disturb the creek bottom, forcing the hellgrammites into the streamflow so they are carried into the net, whence they can be plucked and put into bait buckets.

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quote:

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May be able to find them in Bryan. I dont remember the name of the bait shop but it is on 21 heading west of Wm.J.Bryan Pkwy it will be on your right, if you pass the Mexican fruit/frozen treat store (bright colored) on your right you went too far.

Also, on the Navasota heading south from hwy30, there is a rock bank about 3 miles down on your left. We would catch them there.

Good luck.

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Bait Barn?

I am getting my goldfish from the bait barn so I will ask if they have them. I am also going to try and find them soemwhere during the day. Thanks

Rocky areas along the Brazos are rare; we fortunately have a lengthy stretch out west of Bryan, and almost exclusively use hellagramites.
Where FM485 out of Hearne crosses the Brazos, there is a large rock/gravel area upstream. Not sure how easy to access.
I have caught more than one fish on a single hellagramite (not at the same time ...they are tough bugs.
We use a hardware cloth frame to catch `em as we roll the rocks.

Added: Little Brazos at Hwy 21...some rocks upstream from the bridge; may be a source of the ugly bugs.

[This message has been edited by GSS (edited 8/18/2009 10:43p).]

Your welcome!

I am headed in search of some of these bugs and had a quick question.
will I find them under the rocks in the water only or on land as well? A few you have said you catch them in the water while waiting downstream from the rocks overturned, but I thought they liked sandy/rocky areas as well? Again Thanks for all the help. hopefully I can find some. I really want to try them tonight.

Only under water - usuall shallow (<1 foot) and gently flowing.

I think it was a hellgramite that Kahn put in Chekov's ear.

[This message has been edited by B-1 83 (edited 8/19/2009 9:48a).]

Hmm. Helgramites and goldfish in the Brazos and Navasota for cats...

Maybe we'll stop catching runts...

The rocks don't have to be submerged, I've found them under rocks several feet from the water. As long as the sand isn't dry, you'll have a good chance at finding those hellofanuglybug.

http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/bimg121.html

And I thought the bait barn was just west of 6 on 21, near the new Wings N More and Burger King.