Summer time stripers

[FishOn]

Every summer I do really well on the resident bass by raking calico crabs.  I fish a lot of the popular beaches here in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and without fail on every trip at least a half dozen people ask me what I'm looking for out there with my rake and what am I carefully shoving in the pockets of my swim trunks.   It really peaks the spectator's interest when I run a hook through a crab, flip it out onto the sandbar and hand the rod over and tell them to hang on tight! 

This past summer, I was really able to hone my calico fishing tactics (due to a lack of work hours ) so I'd like to share some tips for this dying method of catching bass. 

First thing is obviously know your tides.  Its awfully difficult to rake crabs on the outer bar at high tide.  I suppose you could get them with a snorkel and hand held rake, but thats not for me.  I always try to be at the beach and ready to rake an hour before dead low.  That way I can secure enough usable bait for the next couple hours of moving water. 

I just use a regular old clam rake on the outer bar and stuff the crabs in my velcro pockets.  I always prefer sheddar crabs though some like soft shells. I have even caught on mid cycle hard shells, but sheddar is the way to go.  I suppose they have a different odor to them which really makes the bass go nuts.  You can tell a sheddar calico if the tips of its claws are lavender in color.  You can confirm this by grabbing the top pincher with your thumb and index finger and rocking it back and forth until you break it off.  When you pull it away, you should see the soft shell pincher underneath this.  This also prevents the crab from biting you in your no-no place while in your pocket .  Usually 4-5 sheddars with some hard shells and a soft shell or two is enough for me to fish

[FishOn]

the entire tide by myself. I keep the crabs on ice or in my pocket if wading until ready to use.  

I usually use a M-MH 8-9 foot rod with a quality reel loaded with 30lb PP.  For a rig, I'm a big fan of a short leader fishfinder.  I tie the braid to a swivel, tie a two foot section of 40lb mono with a fish finder on it then to another swivel. From this lower swivel, I tie another 6-10 inches of 40lb mono to a 6/0 gamagaksu bait holder hook. For this fishing, depending on conditions, I use the lightest bank sinker possible. My idea with this is to have the bait drift a bit with the current while I wade and follow it. Dont know why, but I have always done it this way and it works so I'm not changing it. I usually fish a whole crab if small or half a larger one.  If whole, I remove one claw at the base, run the hook in through this and out one of the sockets to the legs or swimmer.  Save that claw cause it will have that sheddar stink to it.  Some times if sheddars or softies are scarce, I will use just a little piece or the above mentioned claw and put this on the hook with a hard shell. Again I like that sheddar stink.

After I'm done raking and am all baited up, I like to wade out and fish the areas where I just raked.  After some time raking crabs, you learn that the rake crushes some crabs up, dislodges surf clams and worms and just creates a natural chum slick.  Now if the bar you are raking is adjacent to deep water cuts, you want to put your bait right on that drop.  Dont be the long cast hero!  Too many times I have caught fish at my feet while the guys fishing next to me are aiming for England and scratching their heads.  

[FishOn]

Only thing I can think to add to the above at the moment is DO NOT DEAD STICK with this type of fishing.  Bass do not hit a tasty crab light.  They inhale and turn on the after burners! A friend of mine had a fish hit so hard it caused him to lose footing on a jetty and fall down.   

Its a great way to spend the hot summer days and if the bass or crabs arent cooperating, switch to lighter gear and toss some bucktails for the countless short fluke in the wash.

[FishOn]

Couple more tips that just came to mind:
I like to peel the shell of the back of a sheddar or crush the claws. If fishing a soft shell, wrap the crap up in a nice bundle of elastic thread and run the hook through the thread no the crab.

Also, it may be coicidental, but I have never caught sea robins and bass at the same time while fishing crabs.  I have found that if sea robins are present you cant keep the bait in the strike zone long enough for a lazy summer bass to find it. I also believe that if decent size bass are around, sea robins make themselves scarce for fear of being lunch.

[blynch]

That's great info, thank you very much!

[FishOn]

To add, of course I'm able to rake more sheddar or soft shells just before or during a new or full moon, but dont let that stop you.  There have been plenty of days between moons where I was able to find pleny of sheddars and softies.

[IrishAyes]

Great post. 

[Hotrod]

 

[Bucktail]

Great original post there!  Thanks for that.

[hiking]

thanks for sharing that great information. there is a article in the  On the water magazine, by crazy alberto knie, that if your a surf guy I'm sure you would enjoy.

[FishOn]

thanks for sharing that great information. there is a article in the  On the water magazine, by crazy alberto knie, that if your a surf guy I'm sure you would enjoy.

awesome, I'll look for it, thanks

[bassnblues]

Thanks!

[Scott G.]

    Great info. thanks   

[Tacklebox Joe]

Thanks!