View Full Version : Horseshoe crab poaching


wdmso
05-19-2020, 07:10 AM
Horseshoe crab poaching,, didnt know if was even a thing ,, anyone known what they pay pound ?





https://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20200518/250-lbs-of-live-horseshoe-crabs-found-in-vessel-in-swansea

Sea Dangles
05-19-2020, 07:33 AM
Those things creep me out

JohnR
05-19-2020, 07:44 AM
They pay a LOT. But sometimes it is just free trap bait

The most creepy thing in the world is wading in a flat ass calm full or new moon night and one of things starts humping your boot.

PaulS
05-19-2020, 08:21 AM
The blood is very valuable (in cancer research I believe) and they have noticed fewer crabs which they attribute to the harvest. They catch them, remove like 40% of the blood and put them back but don't know the survival rate. Also, they are used for bait.

fishbones
05-19-2020, 08:45 AM
Supposedly the best bait you can use for eel pots. I don’t think you can take them at all in any amount for recreational use.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Rockfish9
05-19-2020, 11:05 AM
Supposedly the best bait you can use for eel pots. I don’t think you can take them at all in any amount for recreational use.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Alot old timers swore by horse shoe crabs, I never had much luck with them always did better with herring until the green crabs showed up then switched to clam shells from the shocking house..scallop guts work good too.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Clammer
05-19-2020, 02:55 PM
I HAS PUT restrictions on taking them . & now you need a license .

most guys use to get them for eels bait .but eeling is like 5% of what it use to be .

I knew guys that sold them to Blount & then got the back from him .because they didn,t have enough room to hold them .
use to >25 a piece & on good nights it was possible to get 600 - 800 .
there was dragger in Warwick Cove that all he fished for & all went to the Woods Hole lab .

now I,m lucky if I get 25 a year on my rakes ……...before ,around the moon they were constantly messing you up from digging .getting caught on the teeth or in the basket .

eel BAIT ** snail bait .,

Guppy
05-19-2020, 04:05 PM
I’ve seen multiple totes stacked at a local landing,,, I believe the conch pot guys buy them,,, my pots are loaded with conchs,,, I’ve had conch chowder and liked it,,, I should try and make some,,, any recipes out there?

Clammer
05-19-2020, 10:07 PM
they were worth their weight in gold before the virus . don,t know the price right now ><>