If you are tearing up the worm prematurely, then take a look at "why". Are you threading the leader up through the worm with a threader, or running the hook down through the worm? What kind of knot are you using on the hook? If it is an egg loop and you are threading the hook down through the worm, the knot will tear the worm more that using a threader. However, it is way more convenient to do it that way, so just put a small piece of yarn (half inch) in the egg loop after the worm is threaded. That will keep it from tearing through. Or you can change the knot you use on the hook to whatever you use for your swivel, it won't tear up the worm when you run the hook down through it. If you are side drifting the rig, try using a small corkie above the worm to keep the worm head from hanging in the rocks.

Or use blue worms...I hear they are tougher (j/k)