Worm gruntin has been a tradition in Sopchoppy for generations, with families like the Revells passing down the craft. The practice was historically tied to the local economy, with worms being shipped across Georgia to fishing stores. The annual Worm Gruntin Festival celebrates this unique tradition, drawing visitors and locals together. Watch the video to learn about this one-of-a-kind job and its significance to the culture of the area.

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

If youve been to Sopchoppy, you may have heard about worm gruntin. Im Kenzie Krueger, on the road in Sopchoppy, where I tried worm gruntin’ myself and learned just how special this one-of-a-kind job is to the local culture.

We take a piece of steel and a wooden stake and we run the top, then it makes a vibration that simulates a mole and causes the worms to surface, explains Snap Revell.

Revells family has been worm gruntin in Sopchoppy for generations, and hes still carrying on the tradition today. My father started taking me as a little bitty thing and took me in the forest. It was a full-time job. It was our main source of income, Revell recalls.

Worm gruntin is essential for gathering worms for fishing, and it holds a unique place in Sopchoppy’s history. The train at the Depot would pick up the worms as it traveled through, and people would go out and harvest them. They would take them throughout Georgia and distribute them to fishing stores.

For others, like Corey Butch, who was born and raised in Sopchoppy, worm gruntin is a cherished family tradition. My grandfather and my uncle taught me, and Im passing it on to my kids. Its just a beautiful thing that we do in our area, Butch says.

For Butch, worm gruntin was a huge part of his childhood. We would do it to go fishing, and its just part of the whole culture of going fishing here.

Every year, Sopchoppy celebrates this tradition with a festival to share the history of worm gruntin with others. Revell says it feels good to showcase this small but important part of the community’s roots. We love to show the small jobs and things that people created to make a living when theres not many resources. Its difficult sometimes, but certain people and families maintain it and continue to do this.

Sopchoppys Worm Gruntin Festival is coming up in April, with local vendors and visitors from all over traveling to see this unique tradition in action.