Hey Bloo, I hear they're baaack.

[bloocrab]

Originally posted by Scotch Bonnet
I'd be interested in your methods in blue crabbing. Are they in rocky or sandy areas. Whats the best bait, etc, etc, etc. I'm a city kid that moved to the shore, so I missed out on all this stuff............

...Scotch

..One of my preferred baits are "raw" drum-sticks... they seem to be very attracted to the bone marrow as well as the flesh and stay together quite well (the bloos have incredibly sharp fingers). Another great bait is...the caucuss' of a filleted fish or pogys or Fish period. Save the small mesh bags that onions come in (you may want to doulbe up on the onion bags)...open one end, insert the fleshy spine and guts ..and re-tie. I like to use the "string~net" bags that lobster fishermen use to put their offerings in. I usually find them on the beach when I'm wading. Much more rugged. Then tie some heavy mono to the bag and toss....It's a good idea to tie a dropper loop about 3-4 feet from the bag and attach a piece of white string or something very visible. This way you know when the crab/bag are within 3-4 feet ...which is how far you should be scooping them from with your net. The most important thing is the location versus the bait. Sometimes the water that you catch these crabs in..isn't that clear (they tend to move into brackish water to spawn and do their thing ...and this water isn't all that bloo . Little rivers in back bays are often Hot Spots.

..and Scotch, as far as boat-crabbing...A ring net works great!!!...tie your offerings to the center of the ring....every ten to 15 minutes.....pull up quick and hard!!!...an open ring net is legal. A closed trap is NOT!!...rocky and sandy areas will both produce, but locatoin is very important for quantity (salinity)...

....here's a good link with plenty of information on "Blue-crabs"...http://www.blue-crab.org/


if you have any questions, feel free to ask~