You call them worms but might they have been giant leeches?
There was a movie in the 50’s Called “Attack of the Giant Leeches”. No memory of who was in the cast and believe Gordon McClendon was involved in getting it to screen. It took place in the Louisiana swamp/Everglades I believe.
I’ll search and see what can be found; will try to help you find it. Drives me crazy to try to remember. Doing that this week with a music Video played on Canada’s MUCH MUSIC station back in the 80’s Still digging for that one!!
You might search for the movie mentioned for clips, pictures just to see if anything looks familiar, while I do the same.
Later, gator!