jackblack86 5 Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Noticed in my last few outings to surf beaches that sand crabs tend to hang round a bit. Also noticed that most gummies I caught either had them in their mouths or stomachs. Obviously This would be a good bait for gummies and most likely snapps. Will salmon and mullies take the bait as well? What's the best way to rig them up as I've never used crabs for bait, only for eating. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pikk0n 2 Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Noticed in my last few outings to surf beaches that sand crabs tend to hang round a bit. Also noticed that most gummies I caught either had them in their mouths or stomachs. Obviously This would be a good bait for gummies and most likely snapps. Will salmon and mullies take the bait as well? What's the best way to rig them up as I've never used crabs for bait' date=' only for eating.[/quote']Definitely no issues there but hard to see you life baiting A legal sized crab. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Del 245 Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 i use rock crabs for bait when targetting blue groper from the rocks. i find a few legs are enough of a bait for these fellas. but for mullys etc.. id probably say half a crab split down the middle. hook out the side of a leg. use rubber bands to secure the bait to the hook. would be difficult to not smash the crab too much when casting.for groper im fishing close to where i stand and just tossing the baits out unweighted.. different story surf casting.. jackblack86 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cal 480 Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 i use rock crabs for bait when targetting blue groper from the rocks. i find a few legs are enough of a bait for these fellas. but for mullys etc.. id probably say half a crab split down the middle. hook out the side of a leg. use rubber bands to secure the bait to the hook. would be difficult to not smash the crab too much when casting.for groper im fishing close to where i stand and just tossing the baits out unweighted.. different story surf casting..Thats the way to go I reckon.Most surf Mullies i"ve caught or seen gutted have had sand crabs in their stomachs as well....its funny how you never hear anyone using them.probably because if you spend 500 bucks on fuel ect to go away for a couple of days to YP, Salts ect its a bit hard to gamble on trying something your not sure will work.Maybe if things are quiet and there are a few crabs about throw one out on a second rod.I"m sure that sand crabs make up a large part of Mulloway,Gummys diet,even to the point that they are one of the main reasons these species come in to the surf gutters to feed. jackblack86 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jackblack86 5 Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Wouldn't look at live baiting a crab, damn thing will tangle your line id say. Was thinking a half or quarter crab. This way the other crabs would leave the bait alone and hopefully hook onto a Mully. Myself I've been sticking with mullet but im willing to try something new. If hooked correctly it should survive the cast and surf, surely? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fridge 6 Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 rip the swimmers off Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fished out 0 Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 The claws might cut the line to. They would be a tangle problem and hard to cast, they could hide pretty well too. They would be nice and natural though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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