Storing Soft Back Crabs

[Gaverick]

I've just been down the beach and collected a load of soft back crabs, I assume this means they have just recently peeled?

What's the best way to store these for use in a few weeks time, can I just freeze them like they are?

[codseeker]

take out the lungs from under the soft part of the back ,i usually wrap up in clingfilm and shove in a bag or container,then into the freezer

[Gaverick]

Will softies be as effective as peelers at catching fish then.

Every crab I found just had a soft shell so does that mean that they have all peeled in the last few days?

Ideally I wanted crabs that are just about to pop but that must have happened earlier this week.

[eddie t]

Yes they have just peeled.

yes they will still catch fish but a lot of people prefer crab that are just popping. dont be to fussy mate just fill ya freezer.

[Gaverick]

Yes they have just peeled.

yes they will still catch fish but a lot of people prefer crab that are just popping. dont be to fussy mate just fill ya freezer.

Thanks for that info. As long as they still work then I'll be down tomorrow collecting some more, I just didn't want to be breaking my back again for nothing

[eddie t]

I have about 80 softies in the freezer and over 100 that i have peeled if it is big enough it goes in the bucket.

[BriH]

Will softies be as effective as peelers at catching fish then.

Every crab I found just had a soft shell so does that mean that they have all peeled in the last few days?

Ideally I wanted crabs that are just about to pop but that must have happened earlier this week.

i have always put soft crab back for next year to be honest - i was taught that once they have cast there shells ,they are pumped up with sea water ,so as to draw the minerals out ,to make the new shell - so you will be fishing with a bait that is totally diluted of juice and "Flavour" ,but i S`pose you might catch something if its mixed with other baits in a cocktail - or maybe i was being to friendly to all the soft backs i found

[Gaverick]

Well when I try them I'm also going to have some fresh crab so I'll be able to compare and report back the results. If they're no good then next year I know to just leave them. Also what is the deal with crabs down Roker, they're all hardbacks whilst nearly every other beach I visited had softbacks.

[codseeker]

lesson learnt then

[mick dunn]

Gav did you just turn the rocks over to get them.
I,m up at seahouses soon and have a week to look for some.

Mick.

[Gaverick]

Yer just turn over as many rocks as your back will let you

[pottsy]

Yer just turn over as many rocks as your back will let you

Remember to turn them back and leave them the way you found them