SAND CRABS FOR BAIT - CATCHING YOUR OWN
Catching Sand Crabs
Sandcrabs are really easy to catch. You only need a net with
small holes, and a beach, pretty much. Most beaches have a lot
of sandcrabs. Walk into the wave area, where it’s safe to do so,
where you are in about six inches of water as the wave comes in,
then scoop your net straight down into the sand, not in a scoping
motion, but more of a stab straight down into the sand with the
end of the net, as the wave goes back out it will fill your net with
sandcrabs. Keep trying different spots along the beach until you start catching them.
You can also spot sandcrabs on the beach if you see bubbles in the waves coming out of the sand as the
wave goes down. This will help you to target a great spot. You can also dig them out with your hand. You
can find them one at a time if you watch the wave come up, then look for the bubbles coming up as the
wave goes back down, and dig down and grab them. They are right below the surface of the sand. A lot
of people will grab each one as they need a new one for bait, so they don’t have to keep them alive in a
storage container. Some people like to only use the more translucent soft shelled sandcrabs for bait.
They are softer and some people have better luck with the soft shelled sandcrabs. It makes it easier for
fish with smaller mouths like surf perch, or kelp greenling to bite on them, but if you are targeting
rockfish, cabezon, or lingcod, they have no problem chomping down either soft shelled sandcrabs or the
hard shelled ones. If you can’t catch the soft shelled ones, but you want to use the hard shelled ones,
you can pull of the hard shell and see if that works for you as well.
Putting the Sandcrab on Your Hook
I typically use a size 1 hook with my sandcrabs, as long as it has a good long shaft or a circle hook, you
will be in good shape. Thread the point up through the body above the spade like tail section and belly
sac toward the head. Another way to righ them is to push the barb through the shell, or if you want to
make it weedless you can poke only the hook point through the shell so it will not get snagged up on
seaweed.
Bait Nets for Catching Sandcrabs
The perfect sized nets for netting and
catching sandcrabs to use for bait while surf
fishing.
Sand Scoop for Catching Sand Crabs
This sand scoop is perfect for catching sandcrabs on the beach. Look for the
holes in the sand or bubble as the waves retract back into the ocean, and
scoop down in to catch a bunch of sand crabs that you can use for fishing bait
for many surf fishing species. This strong stainless steel scoop will last for
many seasons with it’s strength and durability.
Berkley Gulp Sand Crab Baits
Berkley Gulp makes an amazing sand crab and sand
flea soft bait. Scented, soft, and doesn’t spoil like the
real thing. If you like artificial baits, you are really
going to like this. Super tempting for fish when you
are out surf fishing. Perfect for surf perch, rock cod,
ling cod, and just about any type of fish you can
catch from the beach, or the rocks.
About The Author
Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Mendenhall Outdoors. This website is
an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great
outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they
find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We
highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently
receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our
decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you
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The Best Sand Crab Bait Catching Experience Awaits!