In the UK, crabs are primo shorefishing bait, but peeler crab,(when the crabs are in the moult phase).Whiskers wrote:Sand crabs are fine but almost any sort of crab will do.
I usually try to catch the small green or brown shore crabs. Even the small soldier crabs are readily taken.
Trying to catch your crabs for bait can be as much fun as trying to catch a gummy.
Look for them at low tide, specially in areas with small rock pools or clumps of weed. Bear in mind that there are regulations in place prohibiting the taking of crabs from the inter tidal zones of Port Phillip Bay.
If you're uncertain of how to use them go to Google and look up Smooth Hound fishing. Loads of information and videos. Most of the info is British but the English Smooth Hound is essentially the same fish as our Gummy Shark.
You'll never be happier to catch crabs!
:rofl:
Hardback's are only used for wrasse fishing as far as I'm aware..