Tuna Crabs are Back - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

King Saba · 03-09-2017, 09:05 PM

Quote:

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 thread a mosquito hook through their tails or just simply hooked the end of the tails. They're not the most durable bait, but damn do the bass love em'!

goldenglory18 · 03-10-2017, 07:03 AM

Anyone have a picture of these things or a scientific name? I tried to google tuna crabs and the results were very NSFW...

- KT

Denis_Ruso · 03-10-2017, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

Anyone have a picture of these things or a scientific name? I tried to google tuna crabs and the results were very NSFW...

- KT

Pelagic Red Crab

goldenglory18 · 03-10-2017, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis_Ruso

Pelagic Red Crab

Awesome. Time to go buy some plastics!

chris138 · 03-10-2017, 09:31 AM

No crabs in LJ brah

GregAndrew · 03-10-2017, 10:51 AM

I can't remember a day otw in the last couple of years that I have not either seen, video'd or metered them. Sometimes on the surface, and sometimes on the bottom. And they can be stratified at any depth of the water column. Sometimes they are spread thru the entire water column.

alfsteur · 03-10-2017, 11:47 AM

FYI, last Summer these pelagic red crabs also decided to invade Mission Bay by the millions ... haven't seen them there yet this year, but that might be coming as well.

rossman · 03-10-2017, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

I can't remember a day otw in the last couple of years that I have not either seen, video'd or metered them. Sometimes on the surface, and sometimes on the bottom. And they can be stratified at any depth of the water column. Sometimes they are spread thru the entire water column.

I'm seeing the same thing down here in Mexico for the past couple years. What I am noticing is that when they are stratified at some point mid column, you can look for subtle changes in the stratification of the bait that would indicate some predator fish in the mix. The line of crabs could suddenly get denser, or form bulge, or you will see some breaks in an otherwise steady line of bait. I also feel I have had more success not trying to match the hatch. In the case of Yellowtail, I don't believe these red crab are their favorite food and I have more success ripping something sardine or mackerel colored through them to trigger a strike.

katchfish · 03-10-2017, 08:37 PM

03-10-2017, 07:03 AM	#2
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Anyone have a picture of these things or a scientific name? I tried to google tuna crabs and the results were very NSFW... - KT

03-10-2017, 09:31 AM	#5
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	No crabs in LJ brah

03-10-2017, 10:51 AM	#6
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	I can't remember a day otw in the last couple of years that I have not either seen, video'd or metered them. Sometimes on the surface, and sometimes on the bottom. And they can be stratified at any depth of the water column. Sometimes they are spread thru the entire water column.

03-10-2017, 11:47 AM	#7
alfsteur Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 129	FYI, last Summer these pelagic red crabs also decided to invade Mission Bay by the millions ... haven't seen them there yet this year, but that might be coming as well.

03-10-2017, 08:37 PM	#9
katchfish Paddle for Mahi Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Doing the happy paddle! Posts: 849