For more details about the rules and regulations for crabbing in Texas, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. There's no limit to the number you can catch and keep in a day, but each crab must be at least 5 inches measured across the widest part of the body. Some local crabbing hot spots are: Red Dot Pier off JFK Causeway, Oso Pier, the T-heads, North Beach, and any of the many shores located off Corpus Christi’s bayfront.ĭon't forget: Crabbing requires a valid fishing license with a saltwater stamp. Once you get the blue critters home, throw the live ones in a large pot and boil them as you would a lobster. If any of your crabs do come home without a heartbeat, be sure to immediately get rid of them! While chilled crabs might appear dead, they will start moving again once they warm up. Dead crabs quickly spoil - and start to smell. Dropping crabs in a bucket full of water will cause them to die from oxygen deficiency. Once the crabs are caught, keep them in a bucket with ice and/or a little water. You want to do this carefully so the crab stays attached to its dinner until it's close enough to scoop up in a net. Pull it up when you’re feeling lucky.įor those with a fishing pole, put the bait on the hook and wait for a gentle tug before tenderly reeling in the line. If you have a trap, just let the cage rest in the water with the chicken parts inside. You also can grab a fishing pole and a net for a little more action.Ĭhicken necks and legs are favorite crab baits. You can purchase crab traps from your local sporting goods store for about $20, which will make catching these little critters pretty effortless. The best part about crabbing is that it’s fun and easy. ![]() Once the cold air in the fall and winter hits the water, the crustaceans retreat into the depths. Seals will not only steal your bait but they’ll also do their best to remove the bait from the trap, too.Spring and summer are the best seasons for crab fishing in the Coastal Bend region. Plus, fish are quite attractive to other animals, including seals. Not only that, but fish doesn’t last long on the trap. The meat can be delicate and crabs can tear through after some time. We finally get back down to the coast to catch some blue crabs and have a much better trip this time. You have to be careful about how long you use these baits for, too. The key is to find a little saltwater stream surrounded by weeds. My first efforts at actually catching enough crabs to make a dinner started out the old-fashioned way: a chicken neck, a string and a dip net. Using rotten fish is not for the faint of heart! I’d occasionally haul up a big blue that was determined to have my fishing bait for lunch, but one crab does not a meal make. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to wash your hands thoroughly to get rid of the smell. When baiting with tuna, some people even punch holes in a tuna can, then just lower the can into the trap before placing the trap in the water. You can even use bits and pieces of squid! You can use fresh or frozen fish, but the benefit of frozen fish is that it will break down more slowly than fresh fish, giving you more time in between checking traps. ![]() They’re cheap and readily available, too. Often, bait shops or fish markets will give them away.Īnother advantage of using rotten fish is that they are soft and easy to attach to your equipment or crab trap. ![]() Long story short? The stinkier the bait, the better. They will go after anything that comes into their path.įurthermore, crabs will use their claws to dig or scratch up food from the bottom of the seafloor. Therefore, anything that has a strong smell can attract a whole host of these creatures. You see, many types of crabs (like blue crabs) don’t smell through any kind of organ like a nose but instead use microscopic “smelling” organisms. Some people believe that crabs have an excellent sense of smell – this is somewhat true, but not in this sense you might think. You can use the same types of baits offshore as you would in other settings.įinally, consider how crabs find food. inshore crabbing, the quick answer is, “not really.” If you’re wondering if your fishing location matters in terms of offshore vs. ![]() In some places, certain types of bait are not allowed. You also need to consider the regulations in your local area. Before you can choose the right crab bait for your needs, you need to consider a few basic qualifications.įirst, what kind of crab are you going after? While most crabs prefer the same types of foods, there can be small nuances between species.
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