Yes, there are better baits than earthworms that can be used to catch eels. Some common bait better than earthworms include:

1. minnows: eels like to eat live food, and fresh minnows make great bait.

2. Live earthworms: live earthworms are one of the favorite foods of eels, you can dig live earthworms as bait in places where eels frequent.

3. pig liver: pig liver is eel's favorite food, you can cut pig liver into small pieces to lure eels.

4. Chicken liver: Chicken liver is another favorite food of eels, so you can cut it into small pieces to lure eels.

5. Bread crumbs: Bread crumbs are also one of the favorite food of eels, you can sprinkle bread crumbs on the places where eels frequent.

6. Tofu dregs: Tofu dregs are also one of the favorite foods of eels because eels, like earthworms, like to consume decaying organic matter in the water, and tofu dregs are the main source of such organic matter.

Besides these common baits, there are also some special baits such as silkworm pupae, fly maggots, snail meat, mussel meat and small fish and shrimp, which are high in protein, and these baits can better attract eels. In addition, you can also use male cloves and colorful ferula to soak into the currant, after soaking for 1 month can also be used as bait for eels.