Catching ghost crabs is a pain - maybe I just lack
- Thread starter Khani
- Start date
Cool, I have a cabin bay boat that is standing in the yard and has not seen water in over a year now, just don't have the feeling of taking it to water, want to sell it and get a ski boat for deep sea...but to admit, i still prefer doing a 4x4 course to a remote beach and hooking a monster...
Nivi
If you want to fish light as in the bay and estuarys go for the Berkley Cherrywood or Diawa "Scimitar"(I think I spelt it right) both are 7" which is a great length.If you want to fish heavier I suggest you go to Basil Manning or Gone Fishing and speak to Niel.The reel I use is the Shimano Slade ,depending on rod choose your size accordingly.I have the Slade 1000,2000 and 2500 for light tackle.It might be more expensive but Berkley works MUCH better than the other lures.
Good luck on the rod and reel once you start you get hooked.Just remember it`s specie`s that count .
Brett
If you want to fish light as in the bay and estuarys go for the Berkley Cherrywood or Diawa "Scimitar"(I think I spelt it right) both are 7" which is a great length.If you want to fish heavier I suggest you go to Basil Manning or Gone Fishing and speak to Niel.The reel I use is the Shimano Slade ,depending on rod choose your size accordingly.I have the Slade 1000,2000 and 2500 for light tackle.It might be more expensive but Berkley works MUCH better than the other lures.
Good luck on the rod and reel once you start you get hooked.Just remember it`s specie`s that count .
Brett
G
Guest
Guest
Khani,
To get back to your original question: catching Ghost crabs.
Blades idea of the plastic bucket is brilliant and is almost always successful, providing there are ghost crabs around. To elaborate a little, the hole in the sand needs to be the size and depth of the bucket, then sink the bucket into the hole such that the lip of the bucket is level with the beach / sand. Then drop a few chunks of sardine bait on the sand around the bucket and a few into the sunken bucket. The crabs will be attracted by the smell, and then fall into the bucket in pursuit of the bait in the bucket. Obviously, they can't get out for the same reason Blade stated.
I've used this many times when fishing at night - you usually have a bucket full of ghost crabs in no time at all. Then simply keep what you need and let the rest go.
This way you dont have to chase after the crabs, you can sink your bait bucket, then go make up traces etc, and come back and collect your bait when you're ready to bait up.
Cheers
Gilly
To get back to your original question: catching Ghost crabs.
Blades idea of the plastic bucket is brilliant and is almost always successful, providing there are ghost crabs around. To elaborate a little, the hole in the sand needs to be the size and depth of the bucket, then sink the bucket into the hole such that the lip of the bucket is level with the beach / sand. Then drop a few chunks of sardine bait on the sand around the bucket and a few into the sunken bucket. The crabs will be attracted by the smell, and then fall into the bucket in pursuit of the bait in the bucket. Obviously, they can't get out for the same reason Blade stated.
I've used this many times when fishing at night - you usually have a bucket full of ghost crabs in no time at all. Then simply keep what you need and let the rest go.
This way you dont have to chase after the crabs, you can sink your bait bucket, then go make up traces etc, and come back and collect your bait when you're ready to bait up.
Cheers
Gilly
Hey Gilly,
Thanks for the info, But I found a much better way getting these crabs.
It was during the second sealine comp at umdloti that I discovered catching ghost crabs is best left to the experts. (let me explain)
I have 2 kids 7 and 8 years and they together with other members kids had an absolute ball catching ghost crabs that night and they did it with relative ease.
Thanks for the info, But I found a much better way getting these crabs.
It was during the second sealine comp at umdloti that I discovered catching ghost crabs is best left to the experts. (let me explain)
I have 2 kids 7 and 8 years and they together with other members kids had an absolute ball catching ghost crabs that night and they did it with relative ease.
Mornay Ruth
Senior Member
Hi guys,
Fishing with crabs sounds very intriguing. Please tell how to make up a crab trace and generally which species you target with this bait?
Thanks
Mornay
Fishing with crabs sounds very intriguing. Please tell how to make up a crab trace and generally which species you target with this bait?
Thanks
Mornay
Mornay
Best bait for Brusher, especially South Pier to Cave Rock.
And Boulders Bay Ballito.
The Black rock crabs first, then Ghost Crabs second.
Just hook a 4/0 throgh any part of the carapace and use some cotton to keep it afixed.
Cheers
PS. Do you have GPS co-ords for your fave spots off Umhlanga Lighthouse?
Best bait for Brusher, especially South Pier to Cave Rock.
And Boulders Bay Ballito.
The Black rock crabs first, then Ghost Crabs second.
Just hook a 4/0 throgh any part of the carapace and use some cotton to keep it afixed.
Cheers
PS. Do you have GPS co-ords for your fave spots off Umhlanga Lighthouse?
Mornay Ruth
Senior Member
Howzit MickJack,
Thanks for the info, it sounds simple enough. I don't have GPS coords as such, but if I'm throwing off the rock it's usually right in front of the lighthouse. There is quite a deep section there and we pick up a lot of greys on slide bait.
If I'm on the boat we usually start trawling from about 500m south of l/house heading north and about 150 to 300m behind backline. Depends on swell conditions.
Do you have a boat? If so, what type? If not, join me if you like. I have to start putting in some serious fishing time for the upcoming skiboat compo next month.
Cheers
and
Mornay
Thanks for the info, it sounds simple enough. I don't have GPS coords as such, but if I'm throwing off the rock it's usually right in front of the lighthouse. There is quite a deep section there and we pick up a lot of greys on slide bait.
If I'm on the boat we usually start trawling from about 500m south of l/house heading north and about 150 to 300m behind backline. Depends on swell conditions.
Do you have a boat? If so, what type? If not, join me if you like. I have to start putting in some serious fishing time for the upcoming skiboat compo next month.
Cheers
andMornay
Mornay
I like that spot, deep water is close from those fron rocks. Got me a small blacktip there in Feb, and my nephew lost a biggie.....couldn't stop it...just headed straight out past backline and then got frayed off, so obviously there are some reefs straight out from there. Gotta be careful of that.
It's a bit scary on spring high tide there though!
No, don't have a boat now (we used to build them years ago), but I was thinking of fishing-ski. I have a bad shoulder, so don't want to push the paddling too much...much quicker if you have spots pre-lined up and head straight for them. My boets got a 3 seater jet-ski, but it's a battle to get him to go out! Sure beats paddling.
Would be nice to get on the boat again.....haven't been for ages. So if you need crew, tell me when (PM me).
Has anyone found the Dorado recently?
Cheers
I like that spot, deep water is close from those fron rocks. Got me a small blacktip there in Feb, and my nephew lost a biggie.....couldn't stop it...just headed straight out past backline and then got frayed off, so obviously there are some reefs straight out from there. Gotta be careful of that.
It's a bit scary on spring high tide there though!
No, don't have a boat now (we used to build them years ago), but I was thinking of fishing-ski. I have a bad shoulder, so don't want to push the paddling too much...much quicker if you have spots pre-lined up and head straight for them. My boets got a 3 seater jet-ski, but it's a battle to get him to go out! Sure beats paddling.
Would be nice to get on the boat again.....haven't been for ages. So if you need crew, tell me when (PM me).
Has anyone found the Dorado recently?
Cheers
Mornay Ruth
Senior Member
I can certainly confirm the presence of a reef in front of l/house. I saw it on the finder last time I was in that area with the boat. I'ts not far from the rocks either.
No problem, I'll let you know when I have an open spot on the boat. It's quite hectic at the moment, quite a few customers lined up already.
I picked up a decent dorado a few weeks back at No1 Deep (only one though). They are definitely around but very eratic.
Cheers
and
Mornay
ps. drop me a mail if you planning to head to l/house again.
No problem, I'll let you know when I have an open spot on the boat. It's quite hectic at the moment, quite a few customers lined up already.
I picked up a decent dorado a few weeks back at No1 Deep (only one though). They are definitely around but very eratic.
Cheers
and Mornay
ps. drop me a mail if you planning to head to l/house again.
Will do Mornay.
That reef is a bit of a prob, because if you do get into a biggy, you have to give it line to see which way it wants to go, so that you can decide which way to go and try and land it.
Anyway I do believe the lighthouse IS still there after last week (just...judging by some photos), so w'll try it out again soon. Been doing the piers mainly, recently.
That reef is a bit of a prob, because if you do get into a biggy, you have to give it line to see which way it wants to go, so that you can decide which way to go and try and land it.
Anyway I do believe the lighthouse IS still there after last week (just...judging by some photos), so w'll try it out again soon. Been doing the piers mainly, recently.