Crabbing Question

[woodrufflou]

I went out on a boat last year with my uncle crabbing. He swore to me that this old guy he used to work with told him, when using drop lines, put the chicken in womens stockings and the claws would get wrapped up and caught in there and they wouldn't be able to un-tangle themselves while your pulling the line up. Is there any truth to this? If so, is this even legal?

[catfish hunter]

I could see how it works ,I know some old times at my ramp do the same thing for eels

[Flukedood]

I never heard of that but it sounds like a great tip...

[woodrufflou]

yea, it sounds like it would work.  But i wasnt sure if it was legal. I guess it is. Ill have to try it.

[Chris n]

Lou thats a really great way to get the ones that bite for a second and leave..When I went with my neighbor we did that and most were just hanging on. Pretty sure its legal.

[woodrufflou]

great to know chris. Ill have to try it this year!

[Fishin Dude]

Sounds reasonable, I'm going to have to give it a try . Blueclaws do make good Striped Bass bait. Just cut one in half and put the hook in one leg socket and out of another . They use them alot in the Virgina Surf, but not many people in Jersey want to part with a few from their meal.

[woodrufflou]

Yea i see what you mean by untangling them. That might be tough. Im still gonna have to give it a try

[woodrufflou]

i usually start at the end of june.

[Luna Sea 5]

My grandfather told me the same thing.  I works 2 ways, first is how you described, second, it allows your bait not to fall apart or get torn in half and will last you much longer.  You can also fill the stocking with fish guts that you usually can't put directly on a drop line.

[CAPT. JOHN K.]

Gentlemen:
         The nylon trick works very well. There is only one thing that really bothers me. I really wish that people would stop using raw chicken for crab bait. If your wife takes so much care to wash all her knives & cutting boards after handling the raw chicken and you're out in the hot 85-95 degree sun and the kids are touching the raw chicken & possibly touching their fingers near their mouths I get really scared. Does the word"SALMONELLA" ring a bell?  Gee, I can't understand why little Billy is so sick.
       People eat chicken....crabs eat fish!
 Chicken when thrown overboard, after use, doesn't biodegrade too well. The fatty skin in particular.
       Raw chicken+hot weather+kids=sickness.
                          Capt. John K.

    "Time spent fishing is time well spent"

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Capt.,

Good point ... never really thought of it like that. I have always used chicken since a tiny tot running around the Lavallette fishing docks in the 1960s.

Time to change my ways ...

This is exactly the type of information that I like ... It makes you think.

Have a great weekend,

Capt. Ed

[ped579]

Hay guys try this one on for size.  Don't like the heat of the day or getting sunburn?  Go night crabbing with a flashlight or portable spot light.  The crabs like to come to the surface at night and will follow your beam of light right to the dock all you have to do is scoop them into your awaiting net.

I have been doing this for years on the docks off Seaside Park since the late 50's.

[Luna Sea 5]

OLD school method, it works great but not as much fun.  Do it under the bridges at night along the posts.

[ped579]

Hay I'm old school material by todays standards...but I can still out do my daughter who is 17 ha ha ha...

[Luna Sea 5]

Hay I'm old school material by todays standards...but I can still out do my daughter who is 17 ha ha ha...

Who cares how you get them, as long as they make the grill.....  YUMMY>..   they are my all time favoriate food.

[Uncle Luna]

My nephew Nicky makes the best stuffed
crabs on the grill I ever ate. Butter
garlic, parmesean cheese.

         Uncle Luna

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Nick,

That is the bottom line!

After you win the "crab tournament," I may have to hand deliver the check to you. Of course, it will have to be on a crab on the grill day (LOL).

Best wishes,

Ed

[Hotrod]

My nephew Nicky makes the best stuffed
crabs on the grill I ever ate. Butter
garlic, parmesean cheese.

         Uncle Luna

Hey Ungle Luna..  MAn They sound good..  When the cook out Nick?

[Luna Sea 5]

Well, pick the place and I will provide the crabs.