Crabs

[jamisjockey]

Hoping to set up and try for drum this weekend.
Just a question about using crabs for bait.
Those using live crabs, can you just toss them in a bucket with some water?
Also, when you rig them up, do you pull the claws?


Let me just say something, too.
I don't live close enough to go to the seminars down there. Pretty frequently I get my questions answered on here, and I appreciate the help you all give a newbie like me. Doesn't look like the move is going to go through, but I'll still be down there alot to fish, especially in the summer.
Thanks people!

[hookinfinger]

Hoping to set up and try for drum this weekend.
Just a question about using crabs for bait.
Those using live crabs, can you just toss them in a bucket with some water?
Also, when you rig them up, do you pull the claws?


Let me just say something, too.
I don't live close enough to go to the seminars down there. Pretty frequently I get my questions answered on here, and I appreciate the help you all give a newbie like me. Doesn't look like the move is going to go through, but I'll still be down there alot to fish, especially in the summer.
Thanks people!

Don't put them in a bucket of water unless it is set up with aeration. Keep them cool. One way is to put some ice in the bottom of a bucket or cooler and put a towel over the ice and cover the bucket/cooler with a wet towel to keep them out of the sun. Every so often check and make sure the water from the melted ice has not risen enough to cover the bottom layer of crabs. They will die from lack of oxegen if they are covered in water. I pull the claws.

Dennis:))

[jamisjockey]

Roger that. Thanks!

[Mike Avery]

When you buy crabs from the bait shop, most likely they will put them in a paper grocery bag. I just keep them in the paper bag and keep them cool in a cooler or fish box with ice. As long as they stay cool, they don't need water. I like to pull the claws, cut the legs off, pop the top shell and cut in half. Some keep the top on and some keep the legs on. I think popping the top shell gives a better scent trail but they will eat a whole crab too. If you keep the legs on, try using a rubber band to secure them to the leader so the crab doesn't spin in the current. For reds, been using an 8.0 gama octupus circle hook snelled to a 3 foot 80 lb mono leader on a fish finder rig with just enough weight to hold bottom. If you keep the drag tight enough, these reds will set the cirlce hook themselves with the rod kept in the rod holder as they normally swim down current. Just wait for the rod to be doubled over before taking it out to fight the fish. Don't forget the clicker and don't set the drag so tight you risk a break off as sometimes hit like a freight train. Don't go light on the tackle as the quicker the fight the better the release. Good luck.