It is good to note that the presentations below are valid for the different species of crab: stranded crab, green crab, stone crab, sand crabâeuros¦
Drying of whole crabs
Live or dead crabs can be put on a hook. The impressive size of the bait presented in this way makes it easier to target the beautiful fish.
If you want to keep the crab alive, your presentation should not interfere with its freedom of movement. There are several ways to fish a whole live crab.
- Stitch the hook on the front and side of the crab
- Put the hook on the back of the crab
Both of these techniques will keep the crab alive for a long time. But it is also possible to bait dead crabs in the same way, knowing that a dead bait will attract less predators.
It is also possible to put two hooks on the same crab, a set-up well known to surfcasters, the so-called wishbone set-up. To know everything about the wishbone rig click here .
Cutting crabs into pieces
It is possible to use crabs in pieces or in sections as bait. Cut in half or with large pieces of claws, offering crabs in this way increases the scent. It also allows you to target smaller fish or fish with a smaller mouth.
- Presentation of a crab half
- Presentation of crab sections
All of these mounts can be set up with hard-shelled crabs.
It is however well known that soft crabs are real fish magnets. It is therefore also possible to make the same setups with soft crabs (crabs in full molt). The use of elastic baiting wire can be sometimes advised to tie these baits much more fragile.
Please note that the hook used above has been chosen only for better visibility of the mounts.
Hook size should match the size of the bait as closely as possible, and black or dark hooks are much more discreet. The hooks used should be ultra sharp and able to withstand the pressure of powerful jaws and teeth since sparids are the most likely fish to bite on a crab.
