Mud crab fishing

[MichaelK]

Hi guys

I wasnt sure which section to put this querie under, so i opted for the lounge section.

In the last few light tackle harbour fishing outings i've had, I've been targeting grunter off the center bank in Durban harbour.

Whilst pumping cracker in about knee deep water, i've been nailed twice by big mud crabs. The last one bit my big toe so hard i thought i was going to lose a toe.

That got me to thinking, if i get a mud crab license from the post office. Am i allowed to target mud crab in Durban harbour?

If yes, what fishing methods are legal.

I know crab traps are illegal, but if i use onion bags attached to line with a float with a little bait in the bags, is that a legal method of catching?

Then what is the size and bag limits for mud crab.

 

[Cobia333]

There can't be anything illegal about this if you have a licence.

Just do the following. Cut a sardne head off the body.Thread the line from the reel through the lip area of the sard head and tie on gently otherwise, you will break the lips. Or you thread the line from the mouth end through to the cut off end, tie on with a simple granny knot. No Hooks attached. Dip the bait where you will most likely catch a crab.

Heres the trick. Make yourself a net out of small gauge chicken wire. Once the crab has a firm grip on the head lift it very slowly to the surface. Place the net under the crab and walla you got him!!! The crab does not get tangled in the wire as it does in a normal soft type net. Then its a big job getting it out. I have seen blood drawn from those crabs. They are very powerful in there nippers.

Cheers

 

[plugger]

I know this doesn't answer your question but we used to catch them at Mapelane off the jetty.A hand line with a single hook through a sardine head, and pull him in gently once he's eating. Those nippers can crack a Bic pen so be very careful. If you can get hold of the nipper , hold it closed and push a match stick in the join at the top. He then can't open it.An easy way to pick them up is with a set of cheap brain tongs, just grab him across the carapace.