essexman
Regular
Joined: Oct 16, 2005
Posts: 302
Location: clacton on sea essex
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 Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:30 am Post subject: Keeping Peeler Crabs |
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Now that you have your peeler you need to keep them in top condition ready for use, crabs should be kept refrigerated and checked daily. Keep the crabs in a container like a cat litter tray or ice cream container, keep them cool at all times and cover them in seaweed soaked in fresh sea water, this should be changed 3 times a week. Checking the crabs should be done daily, any dead crabs should be removed and discarded any that are starting to peel should also be removed and separated they can be kept for a few days at the most, and if not going to be used should be frozen down for a later date.
Selecting crabs for use is also important, you don't want to take crabs that are not in the peeling stage out with you as these will soon die, to do this check each crab for signs of "popping". The crab’s shell will be cracked or raised near the rear end. By pressing on the shell near the rear end, it will crack to show that it is ready Crabs that have popped and are not going to be used should be frozen down. Place the crab in a freezer and allow it to freeze, once frozen remove the legs and wrap in foil, then place in a freezer bag, this helps stop freezer burn, some anglers peel the crab fully and then wrap in cling film then foil, and they also remove the lungs. If you collect many peelers at various stages then there may be times when you need to bring them on in order to use them, this is done by giving them a larger amount of fresh sea water to drink and also allowing them to warm up a little, you will notice bubbles from the crabs jaws as they drink the water. |
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