Tuna Crabs are Back

[PapaDave]

Originally Posted by DPevin

I hear people talk about catching them and using them as bait. What is the best way to do that? Just scoop them up and bait them on a hook like you would squid or cut bait?

I was on an overnighter for rock fish last week and the fish were coughing up the crabs. I put one on a hook, sent it down and it did get bit.

Also, on a Colonet trip, the fish in 150' were stuffed full of crabs and didn't want to bite, while the fish at 250' were hungry and bit like crazy. So yeah, the crabs can shut down a bite.