Thread: Tent caterpillars?

Depends on which type. Most tent caterpillars have hair that sticks out and I have never had much luck with them. The smooth skinned caterpillars such as the Catalpa worms are dynomite! Unfortunately the Catalpa's are species specific and only can be found in certain trees where as the tent variety are found in Cherry and Walnut among others.

Originally Posted by LazyKB

Anyone ever use them for bait? Pros/cons? Got some in a couple of my trees, wondered if they were useable.

Ok, so I took a tub of the tent caterpillars fishing today. Pros they stay on the hook pretty well...and that is about it. bwilso said, "They are hairy." I didn't see what difference that made but apparently it makes a big one. I was getting hits but nothing hung on to them. Fish must not like hair in their mouths or else they don't taste good. In addition they can't hold their breaths as long as an earth worm, they go limp pretty quick. And finally, you have to chase them all over the boat. Tis a shame, I just knew I found a source of cheap bait.

My bet is bad tasting. I never see birds eating them.

Threw some in to the chickens and didn't have any takers.

I tried them as a kid and thought they would be great. Nope. As Micanopy said, they must not taste good.
Bob

I just put them n the burn barrel and torch.

Originally Posted by Micanopy

My bet is bad tasting. I never see birds eating them.

I second that notion/motion , not much seems to eat them in these parts either

Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

Threw some in to the chickens and didn't have any takers.

if chickens won't eat them they are NOT edible , chickens eat EVERYTHING !