ive been buying nightcrawlers from cabelas for years now w/out issue. cant say i blame you being hesitant. just make sure they arent scented or any of that crap. you can also buy online. i was going to do this until i found out i can get flats from cabelas. my fish also seem to prefer the monster canadian crawlers best. ive never stripped the poop out, but ive cut pockets into them to stuff pellets into.. its pretty gross but they are still wiggleing and getting the fish what they need.