Bait advice

[berwick]

Out today for a crab hunt on the shore. Not much to show for it but found a few hens. Its a new one for me this crab collecting as this is my first year fishing but what I will say is it is hard work! Missed most the cocks (it was like they all shed in one tide and the ones I did find were quite small) Now it seems the hens are just starting and this is a whole new ball game! Seems (in all my experience ) they prefer the deeper sandier pools. So you turn the rock over, sand clouds the water and out shoot a great big cocker holding onto a hen. So you have a moving target and then a wrestling match. I don't know where these boys shed but I wish I could find them, some of them are huge! After I parted one from his hen today he proceeded to follow me, I am sure he was contemplating tackling me! Had me pretty nervous ha ha

Anyway, I need advice on this: found the crab in the picture attached today. Edible crab I think. Has spikes/ hairs on legs if that helps. It is a soft back (very soft) Question is will it keep until Thursday, thats when I am planning on going out, or should I freeze it?

Never come across one before or used as bait. Any good?

Cheers lads

Jon

[waco]

Out today for a crab hunt on the shore. Not much to show for it but found a few hens. Its a new one for me this crab collecting as this is my first year fishing but what I will say is it is hard work! Missed most the cocks (it was like they all shed in one tide and the ones I did find were quite small) Now it seems the hens are just starting and this is a whole new ball game! Seems (in all my experience ) they prefer the deeper sandier pools. So you turn the rock over, sand clouds the water and out shoot a great big cocker holding onto a hen. So you have a moving target and then a wrestling match. I don't know where these boys shed but I wish I could find them, some of them are huge! After I parted one from his hen today he proceeded to follow me, I am sure he was contemplating tackling me! Had me pretty nervous ha ha

Anyway, I need advice on this: found the crab in the picture attached today. Edible crab I think. Has spikes/ hairs on legs if that helps. It is a soft back (very soft) Question is will it keep until Thursday, thats when I am planning on going out, or should I freeze it?

Never come across one before or used as bait. Any good?Cheers lads

thats an eater crab it is illegal to take under size, legal size is at least 5" no doubt i will be corrected if wrong

[Bushwhacker]

It is illegal to take any Edible crab for bait now,whether its size or not.
If your going for crab on the shore,do it in the dark with a lamp.
No need to turn any rocks as they are walking about in the open.Also,carry the light in your hand as the light will just reflect back in your face if you use a cap lamp.You do need the water to be quite settled so its clear enough to see in to.

[berwick]

You live and you learn. Haven't got far to go to put it back. Shame mind, I could have got a good couple baits out of him.

Cheers Bushwacker - so if I go down the shore at low tide at night they may be walking about in the pools? That would save my back!

[Bushwhacker]

You live and you learn. Haven't got far to go to put it back. Shame mind, I could have got a good couple baits out of him.

Cheers Bushwacker - so if I go down the shore at low tide at night they may be walking about in the pools? That would save my back!

Yes mate,i used to get all my shore crab at night.Too much hard work in daylight turning rocks.
It also works in the estuaries if the water is clear enough.