Crabbing for the first time

[Big Smooth]

Well I broke down and set myself up for dropping a few pots while I'm trolling around.
Not sure what to expect, but I do know I'm going to stay away from the trolling areas so I don't piss someone off.

I've gots me some turkey legs for bait and was wondering if or what I should soak em in. I'd appreciate a little direction.
Thanks in advance.

Steve

[curado]

if you can get pro-cure crab and shrimp attractant oil let sit on bait overnight. check it out www.pro-cure.com

[Pradeep]

I don't soak or use any attractant on my bait for crab. Quick stop off at Safeway, pick up some chicken legs and then off and running to drop the pots.
For me personally, we have always caught enough crab to make the trip worth it without the use of attractants so I save myself the money.

[Bodofish]

Well since you're not allowed to use clams anymore I try to use fish heads and spines. The crabs natural food, seafood. The most important thing is make sure the bait is fresh, contray to popular belief, carbs do not eat rotting anything.

[Toni]

Well since you're not allowed to use clams anymore I try to use fish heads and spines. The crabs natural food, seafood. The most important thing is make sure the bait is fresh, contray to popular belief, carbs do not eat rotting anything.

They will eat freezer burnt salmon spines.

[Pradeep]

Great point bodofish. Fresh is best.

[Toni]

if you can get pro-cure crab and shrimp attractant oil let sit on bait overnight. check it out www.pro-cure.com

I didn't find any on the self any where but with just the freezer burnt salmon spine I got 2 keepers off a pier.

I have seen bacon work good for someone.

[Dave]

Hey Bog Smooth,

I agree that fresh chicken legs for bait, is the way to go. They have worked great for me over the years. You might also try to find some areas where there is eel grass. You can sometimes find these areas during a minus tide and in my experience, it seems that the Dungeness crab like to hang in the grass. Good luck.

[Big Smooth]

WOW! Thank you all. Exactley what I was looking for. I think I'm heading towards Penrose Point. I'll give you an update.

Steve

[urbanangler]

I tried crabbing for the first time last weekend and was getting plenty of action off of chicken quarters I bought that morning. No bait trap either. Just tied a chicken quarter down with 25# fishing line to the bottom of the crab cage. Didnt even make cuts on the chicken.

[nchap]

I just started crabbing myself and so far the best results I have had is with fresh or frozen flounder carcasses once in a while soaked with some anchovie oil. Might be a stupid question but can you use clam stomachs/remainders after cleaning them. Good luck crabbing. I have been getting plenty of red rocks in MA13 and only one dungie but to me they all eat the same.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

Well since you're not allowed to use clams anymore ....

Are you saying that it's against the regs to use clams for crab bait?

If yes, can you show us where it says that in the regs?

[Big Smooth]

Got me 4 today in 4 hours. Thanks again. One more question for the wise ones. Do I need multiple floats on one pot if I wish to have kids get there limits? I seen floats with multiple names on them today?!? So many rules, I don't want to screw it up. I did give a report in the saltwater section. Good times.

Steve

[Pradeep]

Hey big smooth,
You only need one float (but you do need to have your info on it). I think people attach things like used detergent bottles or
flags to help find the buoys easier when they in an area that has a lot of other people crabbing. I'm not sure about the multiple names
on the floats.The flags do not represent the amount of licenses that you have. Each license allows for 5 keepers. Hopefully someone with more expertise
like Dave will chime in and give you more advise.

Nicely done on getting yourself some crab!!

[Gisteppo]

If you can get ahold of any fresh fish, DO IT.

Always check your local meat counter as they often will get head-on salmon and will lop off the head before they put it in the case. Our Safeway sells heads for 25 cents. The only issue is they are a bit seal-prone, so hopefully you are in an area that isn't bad with seals.

For really decent crabbing there is only one bait, though. SHAD...

Shad outfishes every other bait Ive used in the past 5 years and The Thumb has been testing the shad for over a decade. Outperforms everything we have ever tried.

E

[Dustin07]

I have used mink, chicken, turkey, trout, and perch. I have found fish attracts seals, and turkey legs attract the most crabs. when you are done, wrap the turkey legs up, put them back in the freezer, and reuse on the next trip.

[Big Smooth]

when you are done, wrap the turkey legs up, put them back in the freezer, and reuse on the next trip.

Exactley what I did. I'm ready for another trip this weekend. Thanks for the advice.

[Dustin07]

I'm ready for another trip too- we went out for the opener in June in the south sound and I haven't made it back since. You fished penrose? we were on the otherside of the peninsula there fishing/crabbing case inlet. We've caught salmon there before, and there were a TON of small crabs, but not much success this time.

[Big Smooth]

I tried to fish penrose. Too much seaweed in the water. I kept having to clear my line, so I motored over to Solo Point to fish. I usually do well at Penrose when I do fish it.