How to Crab: Tips for catching crabs that will fill your pot

The variety of crabs is attractive not only from the culinary side, but also as a good bait for many fish of the Mediterranean Sea.

Israeli seas and reservoirs are rich in these crustaceans. However, not everyone knows where to find this bait and how to properly place it on a hook.

In this article you will learn not only about methods of catching crabs, but also the secrets of hooking and a lot of interesting and useful information about these ancient inhabitants of flora and fauna.

Content

1. 1. General information 1.1. Habitats

1.2. What do crabs eat?

1.3. When can you catch a crab?

• 2. How to catch crabs
• 3. Methods for hooking crabs
• 4. What kind of fish can be caught with bait in the Mediterranean Sea
• 5. Ways to use crab as bait for fishing
• 6. How to preserve crab for fishing
• 7. Useful tips for using crab as bait for sea fishing
• 8. Where to get or buy crabs for fishing in the Mediterranean Sea in Israel.
• 9. Interesting facts about crabs
• 10. Useful links

Using the Line Throwing Method

Casting a line is actually more difficult than it may seem. It is better to take a friend with you who will help guide the boat. When the boat is sailing forward, at this time you should lower the buoy with an anchor into the water, and carefully lower the lines. It is necessary to ensure that the lines do not get mixed up and do not touch neighboring trots.

When the lines are immersed in the water, you need to lower the second buoy with an anchor. Fishing at sea should be done in warm, windless weather. When the waves are big, you won’t be able to cast a trot.

To sink lines comfortably, you need to catch a good current. The boat should float towards the current, this makes it easier to cast lines. It is difficult to use only a boat; the current pushes the buoy away, making it possible to correctly install the reel.

When time passes, they begin collecting crabs. You need to act quickly; the crabs eat the bait and leave the hook. Try to collect against the sun so that the shadow does not reflect on the line; the crab may notice the danger and swim away.

To quickly collect crustaceans, you need to have a friend. One holds the line, and the other collects it with a net. After collecting the crabs, you should cast the line again.

General information

Crabs or short-tailed crayfish have been known since the Jurassic period. Representatives of antiquity have a small head, a short belly and a wide carapace. Two large claws are used for walking. The difference between females and males is the presence of the first 4 abdominal limbs, while male invertebrates have only 2 of them. They move quickly and sideways.

1.1 Habitats

Seashore, freshwater near the coastline and land. Crabs hide among reefs, shells and rocks.

1.2 What do crabs eat?

The diet consists of invertebrates and detritus.

1.3 When can you catch a crab?

Morning or evening hours are the most effective for catching this bait, since crabs are most active at this time of day.

Where to look for rudd

You can meet it in almost all corners of Russia, right up to Siberia. Among reservoirs, it prefers flowing ponds, reservoirs and lakes, but actively populates rivers with quiet currents, choosing places with the presence of aquatic and coastal vegetation, which it actively dilutes the diet with and uses as shelter from predators. Most often it is found in well-warmed shallow water, among thickets of holly, pondweed, hornwort, water lilies, or under a carpet of duckweed.

In sunny weather, the rudd feeds throughout the day and takes bait well in mid-water. Likes to stand in the shade of trees, bushes and reeds, picking up insects falling from them. In cloudy, pre-rain weather, it becomes more active and rises to the surface, hunting for flying insects that fall en masse into the water. Large specimens prefer deeper places, hiding among snags and rocks overgrown with algae.

When choosing a fishing location, the following factors must be taken into account:

• depth – 1-1.5 m (larger individuals – from 2 meters);
• flow – absent or weak;
• a visual landmark is a large amount of vegetation on the surface of the water, thickets of reeds or reeds.
• auditory landmark - the fish makes rather loud slurping sounds while feeding;
• Favorite habitats are shallow upper reaches of reservoirs, oxbow lakes, and river bays.

Read: How to cast a spinning rod correctly

How to catch crabs

Ways to catch crabs:

• pricking on a kebab skewer;
• landing net;
• hands (if there is a good reaction);
• using a rope (twine), tie the bait to the end of it and wait for the crab to grab it;
• fishing for crab in water at a depth of up to 1 m under rocks and in other reef areas;
• a spinning rod (they catch some types of crabs, for example, blue crabs in Israel) or a 3 m telescopic rod, with a float, a weight and a hook.
• For catching crabs, a grill from an old fan is also suitable, on the center of which the bait is placed;
• homemade crab catchers.

Did you know that in the Mediterranean Sea there is an unusually beautiful crab called the “blue crab”? For a detailed description of this inhabitant, its character and habitat, food preferences, what set of gear and equipment to use to catch it, read here

You can familiarize yourself with some types of traps (crab catchers) used by fishermen to catch crabs at

A short video on how to use crab traps

An interesting video on how to make a crab catcher yourself at home from a plastic bottle

The danger of the crab lies in its claws, which can cause significant damage. In order to grab it correctly, you need to move it in front of the prey with one hand, thereby distracting it, and with the other, press it firmly by the shell to the ground (or the seabed). Then, with your free hand, grab both claws to immobilize them.

Types of crab baits:

• turkey leg;
• spoiled pieces of fish;
• pieces of fresh fish;
• chicken necks;
• shellfish (snail, cuttlefish);
• fresh meat (for example, beef or chicken).

You can find out about other unique ways of catching this bait at https://fastcarp.ru/ostalnoe/gde-i-kak-pravilno-lovit-krabov-na-more.html

Reach from the depths by diving in a mask with a snorkel and fins

The most practiced way of catching crabs is diving to depths wearing a mask with a snorkel and fins. But before you catch crabs. First you need to learn how to dive underwater. Since crabs do not like noisy beach areas, you should look for them at a depth under rocks.

You should collect the catch with a thick glove that the crab cannot bite through into a special cage - a prison for crabs. Everything will have to be done quickly, otherwise the catch will go away, because water is its usual habitat.

This is where you should dive, looking under the rocks. Most often, crabs hide near stones.

In addition, grass crabs, despite their name, are also sometimes found near stones, near which a lot of algae grows. To make catching more convenient, it is best to wear a glove on your hand, as crabs can pinch quite painfully with their claws.

It is best to store the catch in a cage or net that has a rim at the entrance. A package from a store is far from the best option.

Methods for hooking crabs

When equipping the rod with a sinker, a meter-long leader (diameter up to 0.4 mm) and two hooks of size No. 1-2, use the shell of a small crab (without claws), which is hooked to these hooks at the back.

Severed crustacean claws can be used as a wobbler by attaching them to a tee.

You need to tear off the legs of the crab by twisting it and hooking the hook in the twisted place onto the meat, so the bait will sit securely on the hook.

Large fish are caught using pieces of crab meat. The hook must be passed through the holes left after removing the legs.

Crabs that are not large in size are mounted whole.

A crab without a shell is considered a good bait. In Israel, such a crab is called “soft”. It can be easily found among algae and stones.

What kind of fish can you catch with bait in the Mediterranean Sea?

The meat of this crustacean is successfully pecked by:

• mullet;
• flounder;
• croaker;
• garfish;
• mullet;
• laurel;
• farida;
• locus;
• barracuda;
• intias;
• sea ​​burbot;
• gumbar;
• scorpionfish;
• goby.

Small crab is used when catching gobies.

Types of gear used: float or bottom rod.

How to Preserve Crab for Fishing

• to preserve the crab meat and its density, so that it stays more securely on the hook, it is salted in a jar;
• raw crustacean meat should be stored in the refrigerator or other cool place for no more than 4 days;
• live individuals are stored in a shady place in a container (box) with wet algae;
• For short-term storage, a bucket with sea water and a small amount of algae is suitable, place the bait in it and cover it with a towel (rag) soaked in sea water. The bucket should be in a cool place;
• For long-term storage, the bait is frozen.

Useful tips for using crab as bait for sea fishing

• do not use boiled crab as bait, as its meat does not stick well to the hook and is quickly taken away by small fish;
• when catching bait, it is imperative to use protective gloves to prevent injury from the tentacles;
• use only sharp hooks with a long shank (for small crabs), and large specimens are placed on hooks with a short shank with the hook bent to the side;
• if the shell is dense, the bait is cleaned, and if it is soft, it is placed on a hook with a shell;
• in the absence of the opportunity to purchase or catch it yourself, you can use canned crabs, which have a rich aroma, but such bait is not durable;
• when storing crabs while fishing in a bucket, you should beware of seagulls, as these birds hunt them;
• The shelf life of fresh crab is no more than 24 hours.

Coil

For sea fishing, any spinning reel that balances with the rod is suitable. The choice should be made in favor of specialized models designed for use in salt water. It is made of materials that are resistant to aggressive environments, therefore it is more durable and will not fail after one season.

Balanced tackle is half the success in any fishing

Good reels are made by the companies Daiwa and Shimano, but their prices are impressive and not always affordable for every angler. Any inertia-free machine is suitable as a budget option, but you shouldn’t expect much from it. Most likely, it will start to act up after a dozen full-fledged fishing trips in salt water.

Some anglers like baitcasting reels. Now some Japanese brands specially produce models for light fishing rods. The advantage of multis is their increased strength life, power, reliability and wear resistance. However they are more expensive.

Where to get or buy crabs for fishing in the Mediterranean Sea in Israel

If it is not possible to obtain this type of bait yourself, then you should use the services of online stores.

Before fishing, bait can be purchased at Israeli seaports (buy from fishermen, for example, the port in Yafo and Akko)

On one of the most popular Israeli fishing forums you can find a list of all Israeli fishing stores selling bait, https://www.israfish.com/WebFish/Shopping/IsraelShops.htm

Interesting Facts

A unique species of crab called "Scyllarides latus" or "sigal, sigalite", which means purple, is becoming extinct in Mediterranean waters. It is interesting because it does not have a shell, and the meat of this crustacean is very tasty and is a delicacy in Israeli restaurants.

In Israel, there is a type of crab called “blue”.

The difference between a female crab and a male: females have a much wider abdomen than males, because they bear future offspring there.

As it grows, the crab changes its shell to a more durable one. At the right time, the crustacean takes in water and swells, from such pressure the old shell bursts. The crab stays in shelter for several days and builds up new defenses.

The “marbled” type of crab is called a spider because of the presence of hairs on its legs.

Not all crabs are capable of biting; for example, sand crabs are absolutely harmless.

Two pike perch, three asp and 30 crayfish

In the Rostov region, the first poacher was detained at the beginning of the spawning season. The “fisherman” caught 40 fish in a barbaric manner, which is eight times the amount allowed by law. Previously there were no such restrictions.

Now he will have to pay more than 50 thousand rubles as damages.

Photo: Dmitry Rogulin/TASS This year, fishing rules have changed significantly. For the first time, a quantitative norm for catching various types of aquatic biological resources per day has been introduced.

For example, for freshwater catfish, grass carp, silver carp, and pike perch there are only two specimens, for carp and asp – three.

Sersha, vimba and syrt can be caught only five pieces per day and no more than 30 crayfish. The total daily norm is no more than five kilograms.” Now you need to fish with weights. Because if the inspector weighs the catch and it exceeds five kilograms, the fisherman will be held accountable,” warn the regional environmental prosecutor’s office.

And they explain that the tightening of the rules for catching aquatic biological resources is due to the strengthening of their protection from illegal mining and poaching, which have already led to a significant decrease in the population of many species.

So, they include one of the most popular and especially valuable - pike perch.

Since this year, an almost complete ban on its catch has been introduced throughout the entire region, except for the Veselovsky and Proletarsky reservoirs, where from April 30 to December 1, it is allowed to catch pike perch. In the Rostov region, more than 500 criminal cases are filed annually

Spawning ban - 2021 in the Rostov region: fishing dates and places, bans and fines

Today you will find out where it is prohibited to catch fish for spawning, daily limits, permissible size, terms of the ban and punishment (fines from 2 to 5 thousand rubles for illegal fishing). The ban on fishing in the Rostov region, as in other regions of Russia, is divided into several seasons.

Fishing in the Rostov region is no less remarkable than in Astrakhan on the Volga or in St. Petersburg on Ladoga.

There are also excellent places where the fisherman can freely relax his soul and body. The Rostov region falls under the Fishing Rules of the Azov-Black Sea Republic of Belarus (fishery basin). The most fishy places according to Rostovites:

1. Don Delta,
2. Miussky estuary,
3. Manych,
4. Dead bottom,
5. Daryevsky Pond.

I’ll tell you right away about the fishing gear - it’s prohibited - only one float rod with no more than two hooks.

Spinning is prohibited. Although, not to be unfounded.

1. in the Veselovsky reservoir in the Sagovaya, Zhitkova, Tazina, Malaya Sadkovka, Bolshaya Sadkovka gully in the area of ​​the Mitrofanovsky and Lyagushatnik islands;
2. in the Veselovsky reservoir in the tributaries of the Seversky Donets river: the Kundryuchya river (from the mouth to the Prokhorovskaya dam); the Bystraya River (from the mouth to the administrative border of the village of Zhirnov); the Kalitva River (from the mouth to the administrative border of the village of Litvinovka);
3. on the section of the Seversky Donets River from the Ust-Bystryanskaya pier to the Bronnitskaya crossing;

Useful materials about crab

https://forum.israfish.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=8646 - Notes from Israeli anglers about crab on one of the most popular fishing forums in Israel;

https://hit-fishing.com.ua/blogs_news/blogs/1028/ — Article about baits for sea fishing;

https://pravda-chto.ru/pro-kraba/ — Article about interesting facts about crabs;

https://podvodnyj-mir-i-vse-ego-tajny.ru/catch-crabs-catch-methods/ - Interesting article about methods of catching crabs;

https://fastcarp.ru/ostalnoe/gde-i-kak-pravilno-lovit-krabov-na-more.html - Detailed description of where to catch crabs and how to do it;

Is crabbing legal?

Before you start hunting, you need to find out if it is possible to catch crabs in the place you have chosen. For example, in certain places of the Russian Federation there is a ban on catching crabs, especially at the time of their spawning. In some regions, you must obtain a permit before starting crabbing. Most often, crustacean hunters are interested in the question: is it possible to catch crabs in the Crimea? The answer is clear - no.

Catching certain types of crabs is strictly prohibited, as they are listed in the Red Book. For hunting rare species, you can get not only a large fine, but also a prison sentence. Arthropods that hatch eggs should also not be touched.