How to Catch Blue Swimmer Crabs

Like most fish species the tides, water temperature, time of day and available food will determine your success in catching these legendary crustaceans. Crabs will move about with the tides as they search for food and a mate, but during the daylight hours they are more cautious about venturing into the shallows. The warmer waters of our estuaries are favourite crab haunts and this is where you should look if you are keen to scoop a feed.

These little creatures are relatively easy to catch and will require different equipment and techniques depending on how you wish to go about chasing them. So let’s take a look at each of the legal methods of catching a feed of crabs.

Scooping

If you are scooping for crabs, it’s wise to wear appropriate footwear to prevent cuts, stings or nips from angry crabs. You’ll need a floating bucket or a plastic esky with a lid to store your catch. If you’re fishing during daylight hours, wear a long sleeve shirt and a wide brimmed hat and be sure to apply sunscreen regularly.

The best time for scooping crabs is early in the morning so you can get the crabs that have moved into the shallows from the night before. Find a flat that is not overcrowded or getting buffeted by strong winds.

Concentrate on the sand or mud patches near weed growth and keep an eye out for their white arms as they break cover and dash sideways in an attempt to get away.

When you spot a crab, try to swat it from above by dropping the scoop straight over it in the shallow water. The crab should instantly grab the wire scoop and hang on, allowing you to flip it over and up out of the water with ease.

Being careful to avoid the claws, measure the crab in the scoop with your gauge and then either place it in your tub, bucket or esky if it is legal or carefully return it to the water if not.

Scooping is a great fun family activity that is bound to get lots of laughs from everyone, not to mention keeping you fit as you wade around the shallows.

Wire Hook

Just like a scoop this method is very effective but not as widely used as the scoop net. The wire snare is shaped so it catches the joint in the claw of the crab as it tries to swim away, and although it takes a bit of practice it is far less strenuous than swinging a crab scoop. The only downfall of this method is that some crabs will drop their claw in an attempt to get away, so you have to be quick to haul them up and into a container.

Drop Nets

This is the most popular method of catching crabs from the shore or by boat. Drop nets can be bought very cheaply these days, but the better quality ones that cost a bit more are far more effective when put to the test. If you can find the ones with the bigger diameter rings then go for those as it allows more room for the crabs to move in on the baits resulting in a better catch rate.

Your rope needs to be long enough to keep the net flat on the bottom, as a raised side will prevent any crabs entering into the net. If you see your floats bobbing up and down then you need to lengthen the rope or move into shallower water. Drop nets can also be used from a jetty, river bank or rock wall, just make sure you don’t snag it up as you haul it in.

Make sure your bait is secured in the middle of the net either with a clip, or better still, a bait cage. Bait cages prevent the crabs or cormorants (shags) from stealing the bait. If you don’t have any bait cages, meat baits like bullock spleen, lamb necks or chicken heads all work well and don’t appeal to the shags, however in some locations, plagues of blowfish will strip a net of bait within minutes. If this is the case, a bait cage with fine mesh is the only answer.

Where you are and how many crabs are around will dictate how often you pull the nets, however at least 10 to 15 minutes is a good starting point for most locations. When you grab the rope, take up the slack steadily and then give the net a fast lift to bring the sides up, causing the crabs to latch on. Then a steady haul in to the boat or shore will usually keep them trapped. Crabs can then be tipped into a container for measuring.

When dropping crab nets from a boat, make sure you don’t set them in a shipping channel. Not only will you be breaking the law, you will be creating a risk for other boaters. Use a big, bright float on your net as well, as there is nothing more frustrating than having another boat run over and cut your rope because they didn’t see your net.

Finally, when you get home give the nets a rinse with the hose to wash any salt, seaweed or bits of bait away, otherwise you will be facing an unpleasant odour next time you wish to use them.

Diving

Be it with scuba tanks or just free diving, catching crabs with a leather-gloved hand is a real thrill but may not appeal to everyone. Crabs are fast under water and they will test your hand and eye co-ordination as they attempt to get away, but once the glove touches them they seem to just latch on. Depending on how thick your leather glove is the clamping force of the claw will either cause you no pain or plenty of pain. Use a heavy welding glove that is made of thicker leather and is fairly long so it protects your forearm.

The only problem with this method is what to do with the crab once you have it firmly in you grasp. A floating tub if you are free diving is the best method but for those on scuba gear then a strong catch bag will be your best option, and one that does not allow the crabs to get their claws out to keep on nipping you.