Collecting Ghost Crab For Bait

[Umgeni]

I want to collect some Ghost Crabs for Bait .I see the regulations state you can only catch by hand ,rod and/or line.Are we not allowed to bury a bucket level with the sand and throw in a smelly sard to catch them .Im confused now .Please help .

 

[mrupp]

Hi Umgeni, I am not sure on the regs but could you explain your bucket plan more. Do you merely bury it , throw in some sards and wait till the ghost crabs fall into the bucket?
By the way what fish do you target with ghost crabs? Do you rig one or multiple crabs when baiting?

 

[PIRATEofSTRUISBAAI]

I've tried the bucket method for crab before. Only problem I had with it was that the sand fills up the bucket if the wind blows strong. Other ways I know of getting them is by putting a iron or steel rod wedged in the sand where the shalow water is round ankle depth. Then tie a long piece of nylon with sardine to the end. Sinker should be added to keep bait at bottom. Then one goes and sits down and return a few minutes later (scoop net may be used) and as you approach the stock you have a good idea where the bait would be and will be easy to spot the crabs feasting on the sardine. They excellent bait for the bigger steenbras.

 

[mrupp]

PIRATEofSTRUISBAAI wrote:

I've tried the bucket method for crab before. Only problem I had with it was that the sand fills up the bucket if the wind blows strong. Other ways I know of getting them is by putting a iron or steel rod wedged in the sand where the shalow water is round ankle depth. Then tie a long piece of nylon with sardine to the end. Sinker should be added to keep bait at bottom. Then one goes and sits down and return a few minutes later (scoop net may be used) and as you approach the stock you have a good idea where the bait would be and will be easy to spot the crabs feasting on the sardine. They excellent bait for the bigger steenbras.

Hi Pirate, I will give your method a bash - thanks for the info. I have never fished with Ghost crab. I am going to St Lucia at the end of July _ maybe the Ghost will give me a Stumpie or Pompano?

 

[Umgeni]

Hi Pirate ,Thanks for the reply .My question is though are these methods of capture legal .I don't want to sit vas in the tronk .Have a good day .

 

[Umgeni]

Hi ,Set your bucket level with the sand in the evening above the high water mark ,next morning you should have some crabs.Get there early .Pompano ,Blacktail ,Steenbrass all eat them .

 

[mrupp]

Umgeni, Thanks for the detail - I am looking forward to my July Trip - can wait!! It would be good to get some guidance on using the bucket method as I too have a vrees for the tronk . . hehehe

 

[OvaR8ed]

With the bucket method you are catching them with your hand, they fell down the hole all by themselves, LOL vvidevb