Whether you're looking for crabs on a beach for fun or want to catch some to make food, you're in luck! There are many different ways to catch crabs, ranging from easy (finding the beach using a fishing rod) to more difficult (using a trotline or crab pot). See step 1 to start catching crabs!
Step
Method 1 of 4: Catching Crab with a Crab Pot
Step 1. Gather the necessary crab catching equipment
Crab catchers who use crab pots usually have nets to scoop out the crabs, thick gloves, crab pots, and culling sticks (to lift crabs from the net), and a storage container for the caught crabs.
- Crab pots are large square traps made of wire (usually the kind of wire used for chicken coops). There are entrances (called "throats"), through which the crabs can enter the trap to try to eat the bait, which is designed to be out of reach for the crabs. Then, the crab will then be trapped in the pot and you just have to pull the pot to the surface and collect your prey.
- You may need to determine if you need a lighter or heavier pot, depending on your area. For example: in the Puget Sound area, most locations require only a light crab pot, however, at some other points, due to strong tides and back currents, you will need a heavier crab pot. If you're fishing for sport, you don't need to use a commercial crab pot, which usually weighs around 34-68 kilograms (the crab pots used by anglers usually weigh 4.5-9 kilograms).
- Towing rods are useful for retrieving crabs from nets or traps. You can make these sticks yourself by cutting 12.7 cm notches in a piece of wood.
- For storage containers, use bushel wood baskets, but you can also use a cooler to store crabs. The point is, make sure the crab stays alive until you are about to eat it. Store in a container containing ice cubes. Put the ice in the bag in the container and place the crab on top. This will help make it easier for you to take care of them when you are cooking them.
Step 2. Use the right bait
There are various types of bait that are commonly used by sporty and professional crab catchers. You'll have to experiment to find what works best for you, but be aware that chicken neck is a popular choice, as it has less meat and crabs seem to like it.
- You can use frozen fish, as they usually break down faster than fresh fish, making them more likely to attract crabs.
- While crabs will actually eat all kinds of raw meat, you can also try using some of the baits that are commonly chosen by commercial crab catchers: eels (they think eels are one of the best types of bait, but the price has recently gone up because eels are a food luxury in Europe and Asia); beef lips (strong, inexpensive, and crabs love it); Menhaden, a type of fish commonly used as pet food, is a good frozen fish but decomposes very quickly - so, if you plan to leave your trap for a while, use fresh Menhaden.
Step 3. Know the boundaries of your area
Each area has different restrictions on how many crabs you can catch, the type of crab fishing permit you need, and when and where you can catch crabs. Visit your local port and speak to the port head or your local Fisheries and Marine department.
- There are several types of crabs that you can catch and others that you must release if you find them in your crab trap. Again, this will depend on your area. For example: if you catch crabs in the eastern peninsula of the United States, you might get Blue Claw Crabs. If you catch a green crab or a spider crab, you must release it, as both types of crab are not edible.
- There are also some laws that protect crabs with egg sacs, as these crabs will be needed to repopulate the crab population. If you catch a crab laying eggs, make sure you release it again.
- Get rid of any dead crabs you catch. You don't know how long they've been dead, so don't eat them. Keep your crabs alive until you are about to cook them.
Step 4. Choose the right place
Don't just go anywhere and start trying to catch crabs. There are certain places that have a larger stock of crabs. Crabs are usually found in sea water (salt water), not fresh water, especially in waters that often experience highs and lows. These types of water include bays, inlets, oceans, and saltwater marshes.
- Again, the main problem lies in the fishing grounds and the different types of crabs. Depending on the type of crab you are looking for, place your trap at a different location or depth. For example: many people try to catch crabs on the pier, because crabs usually appear around underwater structures.
- A general rule of thumb is that crab pots should be set up at a depth of 6.1 to 45.7 meters below sea level and below the lowest current line (this is important so that the trap does not float out of the water at low tide).
Step 5. Leave the trap overnight
The reason is because crabs are nocturnal creatures, so they roam and look for food at night. Make sure you've marked your traps so you can find them again and prevent the ship from crashing into them.
- Use anchors to keep your crab traps hanging around the same location. Place the anchor at a distance of 0.6-0.9 m below the buoy to keep the trap line submerged, so that there is less chance of the trap being cut by the boat engine. People usually use brick or metal sticks as anchors.
- Many regulations require that the buoy be red and white and have your name and address and telephone number on it. You can only write one name on the float.
Step 6. Remove the crabs from the crab pot
After you've left the trap overnight, it's time to check your results. Be careful and steady the trap so that the crab doesn't slide out.
- Remove the crab from the trap. Hold the crab properly once you have successfully pulled the trap to the surface of the water. Hold the crab by its hind legs so it doesn't pinch you.
- Place the live crabs in the container, on the ice that you have prepared. The crabs will survive until you return to the shore. Eat crabs within 24 hours for best results.
Method 2 of 4: Using Trotline
Step 1. Know when and where you should use the trotline
Using a trotline takes effort and time, but it can provide a good catch. The trotline is really just a fishing line tied between two floats and tied to the bait. The crab will catch the bait and then all you have to do is pull the string.
- A good time to prepare the trotline is in the morning after a hot, humid night, as this is when the crabs love to run around. Mornings are also a good time to lift the trotline, as the crabs are usually weaker and will likely not break free when you pull on the trotline.
- The best locations for placing a trotline are parallel to the shoreline, where the end of the trotline will sink. Usually this occurs at a depth of about 1.5 to 3.6 m. Some argue that you should let the tip of your trotline rest on the clam's shell.
Step 2. Gather your gear
Using a trotline, which can provide a lot of crab catch if done correctly, requires a boat. You can't take the trotline off the dock. So, before you collect the rest of the equipment, make sure you have access to a ship first. You can buy other equipment online or at the port where you will catch crabs.
- You will need two floats and 5 fishing lines (between 6 and 30 meters long): main thread, 2 threads to attach the float, and 2 more to attach the anchor. There are different types of yarn. Decide whether to use inch poly yarn or lead yarn, although some people find 0.4 cm nylon yarn the best primary yarn choice. Poly yarn is cheaper, thinner, and floats. However, this thread is difficult to pull and must be weighted so that it sinks and does not tangle with other threads. Lead yarn is more expensive but easy to pull, easy to wind, and will sink on its own. Make sure your buoy has your name and address on it. These buoys will serve as markers so that passing boats don't break your fishing line.
- Purchase a main anchor (approximately 7 kg) and an anchor for the end of the stream (approximately 2.3 kg). These two anchors will ensure that your fishing line stays in place and helps you find it again. You'll also need 2 chains to add weight to your fishing line, unless you're using lead yarn.
- The net will help you collect the crabs as you pull the fishing line out of the water. You'll need to practice scooping out the crabs and refrigerating them, but the more often you do this the easier it will become.
- Attach the tow rod to your boat. Attach the fishing line to the fishing rod as you reel (pull out of the water) the line. This will ensure the yarn is easier to roll and doesn't let the crabs loose. In addition, you will also need a spur or hook to pull the thread from the bottom of the water.
- You will also need a snood net and tongs to attach the bait to the main thread. Snood (also known as trot) is a submerged fishing line 15.2 cm long, with the bait attached to the main thread using a small 7.5 cm clamp, which is made of stainless steel.
Step 3. Prepare the yarn
Tie the bait to the string with your snood and mini tongs. Do every 1.2 to 1.5 meters of your main yarn. This thread must be tightened at both ends by means of a chain. You can use a galvanic chain 40 to 120 cm long. These loads will be attached to the float with a piece of fishing line, so you can pull them out when it's time for you to check your catch.
- Prepare 4 ropes of smaller length (about 6 m). Attach one of these ropes to an anchor, then attach it to the float. Take the second rope and attach it to the same float and attach the chain to the other end. Attach your main thread to this chain. Do the same for the other side.
- Salted eel is usually considered the best bait. Cut the eel into strips 7.5 cm long, with a diameter of 1.25 to 2.5 cm. You can also use chicken neck or beef lips (also cut into 1.25 x 7.5 cm pieces).
Step 4. Drop the thread
This sounds easy, but focusing on dropping the threads and piloting the boat is tough. You may need a friend to help steer the boat. Also make sure you don't drop the string around other crab anglers, as this can cause tangling between the threads.
- Drop the first weight and float. As the currents and gusts of wind direct it, add snood and bait. When you reach the end of your fishing line, insert a second float and drop in the anchors of both.
- Adjust your yarn to the wind and the direction of the water currents, as leveling the yarn yourself is already a difficult task, even if it's done without the boat being tossed about by the current and wind. Let your boat move naturally as you drop the yarn. That way, the boat will go with the flow and you just have to concentrate on the thread itself.
Step 5. Pull the thread
Once you have finished dropping the thread, steer the boat to the starting position and use your hook to catch and lift the main thread back to the surface of the water. Do it slowly. Tuck the thread on the roller (which is already attached to your boat). Allow the thread to rise from the surface of the water at an angle of about 30 to 40 degrees and keep the thread taut.
- Use the net to catch the crabs in the water as they come to the surface. Do this as quickly as possible because the crab will release the bait when it reaches the surface. Usually there are 2 people to catch crabs, where one of them manages the fishing line and the other catches the crabs.
- Try to avoid shadowing the line, as this can scare the crabs into releasing their grip on the line.
Step 6. Drop the thread again and repeat the process
You can repeat this process several times in the morning if you are quick enough. After you've made your first fishing trip, drop the line again once and make sure all the necessary bait is in place. Wait a minute until the thread is ready and then pull it back.
Step 7. Store your gear properly
Once you are done fishing for crabs, make sure you store your gear properly. Otherwise, your gear won't last long. People have their own preferences for storage methods, including putting the trotline in the freezer, however, check with your trotline manufacturer to find out the best way to store it.
- One of the main ways to store trotlines and bait that is still attached is to store them in a pickle, which is a strong acid mixture. This mixture will help preserve the bait. You can make it with 1.8 kg of salt for every 18.9 liters of water. The 18.9 liter bucket can be used to store a trotline measuring 22.5 m x 0.4 cm. You can tell the exact consistency if raw potatoes or eggs can float on the surface.
- Chicken necks should be refrigerated (use an old one and not your main one).
Method 3 of 4: Using a Hand Trigger
Step 1. Gather your gear
This method is much easier than many of the other methods in this article, and there are only a few things you will need. Basically, you just need a net, fishing line long enough to reach the bottom of the water, and bait.
- You can fish from a boat or a pier, so consider this when you are buying your fishing rod.
- Sometimes you have to weight the end of your fishing rod to sink it to the bottom of the water.
- For bait, you can use chicken neck, eel, or fish. Attach it to your fishing rod before you submerge it.
Step 2. Tie the fishing rod
Tie then throw and wait a while for the crab to find the bait and be attracted. You will feel when the crab has grabbed the bait.
Step 3. Pull the rod slowly
Don't be so scared of the crab that you let it go. The bigger the crab the more likely it is that it will scare and let go of the fishing rod, so pull the rod with care. When the crab approaches the surface of the water, grab it with your net.
Pay attention to whether it's high tide or low tide, making sure you place the crab in a smart position so that if the crab releases the fishing rod, it will fall into your net and not be carried away by the current
Step 4. Put the crabs in the cooler
Make sure you have ice in it so that the crab softens and is easier to handle. Avoid handling crabs with bare hands. Use kitchen tongs or crab tongs.
Method 4 of 4: Catching Crab on the Beach
Step 1. Visit the beach
Most beaches around the world have a type of beach crab that you can find on their shorelines. These crabs range in color from the dark green beach crab you can find in the UK, to the invasive Asian beach crab that has spread from its natural habitat in Asia to the Eastern peninsula of the United States.
- While you can find these crabs on most beaches, rocky shores are usually a better location, as crabs like to hide under rocks.
- Make sure you bring a small shovel and a bucket or gloves. Don't grab crabs with your bare hands, because even the tiny ones can grab you.
Step 2. Find the boulder
Very small beach crabs can hide under small rocks, or crevices in the sand, although the best place to find them remains under large rocks. Crabs love to hide under these rocks. When you turn these rocks, they will usually squirm and hide in the sand.
- For example, beach crabs in the Pacific Northwest of the United States (named Hemirapsus nudus and H. oregonensis), can be found easily under rocks. These crabs range in size from the size of a fingertip to a half-dollar bill.
- You can also find Hermit crabs/conch on the rocky coast. Look in stream pools and under rocks.
Step 3. Check all existing tidal pools
Tidal pools are where crabs gather to forage and roam. Tidal pools are good places for all kinds of marine life, including coastal crabs. If you find a tidal pool and see nothing in it, keep an eye on it. There will always be something going on in the tide pool.
Step 4. Take the crab and put it in your bucket
Put some wet sand in your bucket to keep the crabs from drying out. You can see it burying itself in the sand and moving from side to side as the crab behaves. This is a fun activity to do together with the kids at the beach.
Remove the crabs carefully, especially the small ones. Crab shells are tough, but they are still susceptible to human exertion
Step 5. Return the crab
Do not take them home as pets. Most places have laws and regulations prohibiting the disturbance of wildlife, which is considered essential to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The little crabs you find on the coast are not worth eating anyway.
