Sand Crabs

[seamisty]

:can anyone tell me how to catch sand crabs off the beach. Can they be caught using a certain rig or do you need a net?I caught one on my fishing line and the sucker nipped me so I cooked it and it was delicious. Thanks.

[Jazman]

Hi seamisty, there are 2 ways I know of to catch sand crabs:

At night you can catch them with a scoop net and a torch.

During the day we have had some success putting fish heads or some other smelly bait in the bottom of a ladies stocking , then casting it out, the crabs legs and claws get caught in the stocking and you can haul them in. Just make sure you remove the lady from the stocking first....... <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Good luck

Jaz

[seamisty]

Hi JAZ, Thanks for the help, maybe I can use the leg in the stocking for bait lol.I will give it a try as not keen on fishing at night, scared of the dark!!! Cheers, Seamisty

[glen]

Please remember the regulations for Victoria, AUSTRALIA:



Crabs (all species other than sand crabs and red shore crabs)

Minimum legal size: no minimum.

Bag/possession limit: total limit of 5 litres (or if parts are crushed, 1 litre) for one or more species.

Crabs must not be taken from the intertidal zone of Port Phillip or from Marine Parks/ Sanctuaries.





Sand crabs and red shore crabs

Minimum legal size: no minimum.

Bag/possession limit: total limit of 30 sand crabs and/or red shore crabs.



Collection methods for crabs

By hand or use of a spear, or no more than 2 recreational hoop nets or 2 bait traps, see Equipment Marine Waters.



for more info go to [url="http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au"]www.dpi.vic.gov.au[/url]

[glen]

Also note the following:



Port Phillip*

You may collect only marine worms and Bass yabbies and only with an approved hand held bait pump from the intertidal zone of Port Phillip. Catch limits apply to marine worms, see Limits and Closed Seasons - Other Invertebrates. All other invertebrates are protected.



* Special conditions may apply in Marine Parks, National, State or Coastal Parks and Fisheries Aquaculture Zones.







The image below is taken from the fisheries website and explains where the intertidal zone is (basically anywhere shallower than 2 metres of water)

[Jazman]

Hi guys,

I guess all the floundering we do falls within the intertidal zone (water<2m deep). From these regulations it seems that catching of sand crabs in the intertidal zone whilst floundering is illegal in PPB - I did not know this, and have therefore broken the law many times!

I think I'll have to go into hiding <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/zorro.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':beer' />

Jaz

[glen]

The regulations are pretty complicated so it is easy to forget some of them!



Yes crabbing in water in less than 2 metres (in Port Phillip) is illegal!



Cheers, Glen <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/whistling.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':beer' />



For those who want to investigate further, look at



regulation 512.

Offences relating to marine invertebrates in Port Phillip Bay

in the Fisheries Regulations 1998.

[RX3-BOi]

so if you go floundering in less that 2m of water its illegal?

[glen]

fish and squid are ok. plus bass yabbies and sandworms are ok too.

[RX3-BOi]

ahh thanks for that glen..

[Mr_Willy]

Crabs (all species other than sand crabs and red shore crabs)

Minimum legal size: no minimum.

Bag/possession limit: total limit of 5 litres (or if parts are crushed, 1 litre) for one or more species.

Crabs must not be taken from the intertidal zone of Port Phillip or from Marine Parks/ Sanctuaries.





5 Litres - whats with that - how does that work??

[ilikesquid]

i dont do it on purpose but sometimes i use raw chicken as bait and i always catch sandys on it...i also put a small herring head on my hook and got one... but i dont know, that stocking idea looks good!

[Fatboi]

I have a tricksy question...



If i cast out a line (stocking) or whatever from the short past 2 meter deep water and pull in a crab is that considered illegal coz the crab will eventually be in the intertidal zone, even though I caught it in the deeper water?



Sorry if i've confused the hell out of anyone, lol. <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol' />

[Jazman]

Hmmm, I think that would be legal, but regardless I think you would be terribly unlucky to get booked on a technicality like that.

[peejaypee]

sand crabs are a pain in the anus! every time i go surf fishing i catch a fair few on my salmon and tailor rig.

they pick my bait to shred and it annoys the hell out of me.

the rig i use is just a paternoster rig with a star sinker and 3 ganged hooks. with a whole pilchard as bait.

pj