I catch an occasional crab or two
...here are some minor things you may want to think about.
1. Try to use a bright line (ie:white twine). It's much easier to see the action on the line as opposed to using mono. (It's easier to see the line PERIOD!!)
2. Tie a loop-knot on the line roughly 18" from the chicken. This will help during those times when the water is murky or the crab is in a deeper area where you can't see the crab or chicken in relation to the net. This way you'll KNOW how far the chicken and crab are away from the net.
3. Don't use a deep net. It takes a LOT longer to get the crab out of the net. Crab nets are inexpensive and work fine.
4. Have something (tapemeasure, stick, branch, etc..) marked to easily measure the crab <from the shell's point to point> There is a size limit and it is enforced. You may want to add an extra 1/2" just so that your sure
...(The crabs I've been catching aren't as big as they normally are)
5. Use WATER shoes
...2 people have been bitten on the toe while crabbing with me this season alone. Your toes look like chicken fingers ...
6. As far as I know, there is NO limit to the amount of lines you can put out. Use that to your advantage. You will NOT pull every crab in. They can be very finicky. This way, if they let go of one line...more than likely, they'll pick up the chicken from the next line that's probably 10' away.
7. Pull your lines in slower than you crank your eels in. If the crab seems to be cooperating, increase the speed. If you can get them off the bottom, take advantage of that. If they keep stopping you...be patient, especially if it feels like a biggen'.
8. DO
NOT TAKE ANY FEMALES. It is against the law. I have attached a picture of both. The biggest difference can be found underneath the crab, (note: the red arrows) Another way would be a reddish tint on their claw tips. Although some males may also show this tint at times. I always flip the crab over...best way to tell.