Hardback crabs, are they any good as bait.

plaicechaser

Are hardbacks any good as bait off the shore? What am I likely to catch with them and what rigs should I use? Any advice will be put to good use!

Ta,

Darren big grin

shannock · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject:

whenever i pull in a hardback crab
i always take off the lid and scape out the meat in the top shell then put it on the bottom hook of a pennel rig with elastic
pull off the legs and claws and cut the body in half and fix to the second hook of the pennel (sliding one ) with more elastic

i have had bites but never caught anything but it looks good and smeels good so i am sure something would eat it

how many fish have you gutted only to find whole hard crabs inside the stomache ? ihave found loads especialy cod

and if i dont work you're getting revenge on the crab for eating the worms devil

sniggle · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject:

Lots of fish eat them [ i always have a look when gutting ] but not a lot of fish apart from smoothound and wrasse are caught on them when used as hookbait . I have found hardbacks in flounder,plaice,bass,cod,conger and rays.
Still give em a try when pestered by small stuff or crab, it will pay off one day!

kevsterone0 · Member Joined: Nov 07, 2006 Posts: 13 Location: portsmouth

I always use hard back crab for smoothies, hook through the leg sockets and break its shell with a stone but dont kill it, this just lets off the scent trail, works well for bass as well. dont forget the elastic
kind regards
kev big grin

Welchy · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject:

I have only used hard backs for wrasse, Just pull one leg off put the hook through the socket keeps them lively under a float.

Best to use hardbacks the size of a fifty pence piece, Hope this helps.

plaicechaser · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice, i'll give it a go.
Darren cool