Terrifying, Disgusting Bug Makes Iowa’s Best Fishing Bait

I love to go fishing, but I usually like my bait a little less "bitey." But, if you're the kind of angler who thinks fishing is just too tame, we have a creepy-crawly surprise you may want to try! Meet the hellgrammite, an insect so nightmarish in appearance that it might just haunt your dreams.

But don't let that scare you off—these wriggly terrors are actually Iowa's best fishing bait. Grab your gear and let's dive into the world of dobsonflies and their gnarly larvae, the hellgrammites. And may I say, it's a fitting name...

Iowa's Dobsonfly: A Monster with Mandibles

First up, let’s talk about the dobsonfly. Imagine a prehistoric creature with wings—about 2 to 4 inches from head to wing tips, with males sporting long, curved mandibles that look like they belong in a horror movie. Females aren’t much better, with shorter but still intimidating pincers.

These taupe-colored insects are mostly harmless, but they certainly don't look it. And here's the kicker—they don’t even eat as adults. Their only mission is to reproduce.

Hellgrammites: The Underwater Menace

Before dobsonflies take to the skies, they spend up to three years as hellgrammites. These aquatic larvae are what nightmares—and great fishing tales—are made of. Growing up to three inches long, hellgrammites have stout bodies with eight pairs of pointy filaments and a set of hooked prolegs at the end. Think underwater centipede meets science fiction creature. They breathe through gills, hiding under rocks in fast-flowing streams, ready to pounce on unsuspecting tadpoles and small fish. And trust us, they pack a bite.

Catching & Fishing with Hellgrammites: A Brave Angler's Guide

Ready to turn over some rocks? Here’s how you can catch these creepy critters and turn them into your secret weapon for fishing.

• Gear Up: Grab a D-frame or square-frame dip net with fine mesh, or even an aquatic insect seine.
• Stream Stalking: Focus on shallow, fast-flowing streams. Wade in, face downstream, and place your net on the bottom in front of you.
• Rock and Roll: Start kicking or turning over rocks. The goal is to wash any lurking hellgrammites downstream into your net.
• Bucket Brigade: Once you’ve caught a few, place them in a bucket of fresh stream water.

Now it's time to fish with the hellgrammites. It's apparently the equivalent of offering the fish a gourmet meal. Here’s how to do it without your wriggly bait slipping away when you cast.

• Hook the hellgrammite through the collar just behind its head. This allows it to swim naturally.

• Use size 8 to size 4 light wire hooks to keep things subtle and effective.
• Slow Currents: use a pencil float and let your hellgrammite drift in the current.
• Fast Currents: opt for a bottom-bouncing rig with a heavy split shot to keep your bait in place.

Soft-Plastic Stand-Ins

Not ready to face the real deal? No problem! There are plenty of soft-plastic hellgrammite lures that work wonders without the real-deal nightmare fuel. Synthetic options offer fantastic versatility, whether you're fishing in rivers, lakes, or ponds.

Fly anglers, don’t feel left out! Hellgrammite patterns can be highly effective on the waterways. Drift and twitch them in the current to mimic the real thing, and watch as trout or bass go wild.

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The Thrill of the Catch

There’s something thrilling about using these fearsome-looking larvae for bait. Maybe it’s the challenge of catching them, or perhaps it’s the unbeatable success rate they offer. Either way, hellgrammites are a must-try for any serious angler looking to up their game.

So next time you’re out on the water and the fish just aren’t biting, dig deep and brave the creepiest, crawliest bait around. Who knows? You might just reel in the catch of a lifetime. And remember, in the world of fishing, sometimes it’s the nightmare-fuel that hooks that dream fish.