Hard Backed Crab

[The Great Wallsendo]

Just read in this months (August) Sea Angler about a bloke who targets specimen Wrasse. His bait of choice is just your plain old non peeling crab....

Does this type of bait work for other species?

If so how do you hook and present it?

 

[codseeker]

probs rap it on with elastic thread ,never tried them yet though

 

[peter.m]

Bob Moss shows you how on his DVD about Dingle. Been a while since I looked but think you hook them through a leg socket. There's a piece when he gets a bite and brings the crab back clean bit through, poweful teeth.

 

[tolerence]

Superglue......

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

Oh well

Oh well

I've scoured the net and the only reference I can see of people using hard backed crabs is indeed for big wrasse - they either lash it on to the hook with elastic or also hook through the leg sockets...

I must admit I was surprised that only wrasse seem to go for them - as I would have thought some of the big species would be partial to them, especially if they're out in the open on the sea floor...

Shame really as this type of bait would cost you nowt and you could get hundreds at a time.....

 

[Mogthemackem]

Most fish I have taken home over time either off boat or shore have had remains of hard back crab in them. This is a natural bait all year round so it's got to work only it doesn't have much scent like a peeler. No harm in giving it a try though

 

[tolerence]

Infact i had a 5 lb mop on sat night , which had 4 hardback crabs in its stomach and when i put the fish on a rock to unhook , one actually crawled out of its mouth , which i find happens alot ....they eat em , but i think they only eat em due to rooting about in the rocks and sight , yet a peeler gives the scent out to draw the cod to ure hook ,

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

Infact i had a 5 lb mop on sat night , which had 4 hardback crabs in its stomach and when i put the fish on a rock to unhook , one actually crawled out of its mouth , which i find happens alot ....they eat em , but i think they only eat em due to rooting about in the rocks and sight , yet a peeler gives the scent out to draw the cod to ure hook ,

So if I cast one say out into fairly clean and open ground there's no reason why it would be discounted by a cod or a bass? or indeed any other big species?

As you say, peelers/lug/mackerel etc etc rely on scent - but a well presented hard back crab should really be no different if it can be seen....I'd imagine a long hook length would be the key

 

[davem2005]

Something that happened on a boat trip last year and caught us fish. Hardback crab.... mashed up and wrapped in cling film. Bind to hook with elastic and peirce plastic with a knife to let the smell out.

It worked for us that day at anchor.

Cheers
Dave

 

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

I've always thought of a hardback crab as a visual bait and so I've not used them myself although in calm clear conditions you could do a lot worse .

 

[Mogthemackem]

I wouldn't put the hook length too long otherwise you might find the crab will crawl under a nice tight rock and the fish won't see and and you're very unlikely to get your tackle back. Keep it fairly short so the crab is moving about in sight of everything that swims past it.