Peeler crab

[Tonygdodds]

Just got bout 50 live crab sent from a m8 down in Devon
Am I right preparing them like this???

Cover them with 1" sea water until they pop there shells, I then strip the backs & shell & legs
Then remove the gills wrap In cling film & freeze.

My m8 reckons his way is best....he too waits for shell to pop then takes them out of water for 12 hours but keeps them damp after that time if they havnt climbed out there shell he covers again in 1" fresh water once he has full peeled crab he freezes the whole crab legs lungs & all.....

I always thought it was best to remove lungs as once frozen & defrosted they kill off scent!!!
Which is the best method?

[g-force]

Keep up your method...if your mate is waiting till the crab climb out of their shells then it sounds like he's just freezing down softies, not peelers!

I gather my own, and in the first instance keep them in a tank with plenty of water, air-stones and a filter - they're carrying a lot of sleck and need to purge themselves. Those that are then close to cracking are then moved to a shallower tank where I can keep an eye on them easier and as soon as they start to crack are moved to cat-litter trays & kept (covered) in the fridge until they're needed. For those that are destined for the freezer, I wait until the shell has started to lift a few mm, - then they are peeled, de-lunged and tightly wrapped in cling film (large crab separately, smaller ones 2 or 3 to a wrap) before being fast-frozen.

Softies shed their old lungs with their shells & as the new ones are barely developed you don't really need to remove them. They don't have anything like the scent of a crab that's getting ready to peel, but they are still an ok bait.

Gary

[safc]

Softies are sh*t, wait till theyre popping then peel them and freeze

[regpude]

softies

Softies are sh*t, wait till theyre popping then peel them and freeze

nowt wrong with softies,imo.wouldent mind a bucket full of them atm,@ yes peeler crab far better,ps,good reply that gary,i use or do simular method.

[Tonygdodds]

Great advice thanks

[DrGG]

Last season I had a load of one bait size so I froze them ready on the hook wrapped in a small piece of really fine gauze for support then lightly bound in shearing elastic.
Worked well and meant I wasn't losing the juices with not having to defrost them first.

[magpies]

I am a bit squeamish about peeling crabs while they are alive. Is there any way to kill them quickly before starting the peel ?

[EFC FOREVER]

I am a bit squeamish about peeling crabs while they are alive. Is there any way to kill them quickly before starting the peel ?

Yeah get uf lass to do it ....;-)
Only kidding I wouldnt know mate,

[Pighunter]

I am a bit squeamish about peeling crabs while they are alive. Is there any way to kill them quickly before starting the peel ?

Keep them on there back that kills them you big girl lol

[david.northeast]

I am a bit squeamish about peeling crabs while they are alive. Is there any way to kill them quickly before starting the peel ?

Poke a knife or hook between their eyes and they will die almost instantly

[DrGG]

Poke a knife or hook between their eyes and they will die almost instantly

Yes best & fastest way that.

If your really squeamish and that's still to hard I have been told if you put them in fresh tepid water they will eventually drown.
Never tried it though, I think it would be long lingering & unnecessarily cruel.

Stop being a wuss & just get the buggers pealed lmao.

[magpies]

Poke a knife or hook between their eyes and they will die almost instantly

Many thanks mate, that sound like a plan

[david.northeast]

Don't need to pick them up put finger on their backs to hold still and a long pointy knife between the eyes

[Tonygdodds]

Do the legs give enough smell to attract fish
I'm wrapping them separate

[david.northeast]

Do the legs give enough smell to attract fish
I'm wrapping them separate

Wrap them seperate and when baiting push 3/4 over the hook point.