bhugwav
only a few things i can add to the tips you've already been given...
there is no hard fast method how to catch crays by hand, you just learn by experience. the move you dive the better you will understand the way they move, where they hide, what the best method of "attack" will be. until then you will be bitten by an eel, and you will have days when it seems like everyone has no problem getting a bag and you can't get one. all part of the learning process.
regarding the tides, most guys i know and myself favour the spring low and the two low tides after that. if you're diving on the inside of the backline, the low sandbank can form some very protected yet productive inshore channels and if you're diving behind backline, you obviously don't have to dive as deep.
the golden rule for me is that if you can't get at least one hand over the carapace or tail then give up. i have seen many a beginner pulling off both feelers and then leg by leg to no avail. you will never pull a cray out by his feeler. maybe by gripping the base of both feelers at best.
wetsuit, pretty unnecessary in Durban unless you're taking a gun and going spearing for a few hours in the same trip and want to conserve energy. for catching crays in the surf, boardshorts and rashvest and maybe a rugby jersey are more than sufficient. if you have the bucks, get a wetsuit, but I can promise you that you will be very ucomfortable in a 3/4mm in durban in march/april.
as for spots, umhlanga and umdloti are pretty consistent, but have become way too popular in recent seasons. better be prepared to get their first and hustle if you want crays. there are still crays in that stretch tho - i'll try find a pic of a 2kg bus I picked up last season on that stretch (also the first day that I caught a bag that weighed over 8kg...8crays you do the maths) the whole north coast from umhlanga right through generally produces crays, just find a spot that works for you and guard it with your life.
one last thing, while I understand that you're keen to learn, try go easy with the "practising" out of season. the ban is put in place strategically for the breeding season. while in berry, crays don't like to be disturbed, it can seriously affect the productivity of the whole process. so maybe just get a feel for currents and where they hide for now and get grabbing on the 1st? all the best tho, and I'm game for a Sealine crayfish social
only a few things i can add to the tips you've already been given...
there is no hard fast method how to catch crays by hand, you just learn by experience. the move you dive the better you will understand the way they move, where they hide, what the best method of "attack" will be. until then you will be bitten by an eel, and you will have days when it seems like everyone has no problem getting a bag and you can't get one. all part of the learning process.
regarding the tides, most guys i know and myself favour the spring low and the two low tides after that. if you're diving on the inside of the backline, the low sandbank can form some very protected yet productive inshore channels and if you're diving behind backline, you obviously don't have to dive as deep.
the golden rule for me is that if you can't get at least one hand over the carapace or tail then give up. i have seen many a beginner pulling off both feelers and then leg by leg to no avail. you will never pull a cray out by his feeler. maybe by gripping the base of both feelers at best.
wetsuit, pretty unnecessary in Durban unless you're taking a gun and going spearing for a few hours in the same trip and want to conserve energy. for catching crays in the surf, boardshorts and rashvest and maybe a rugby jersey are more than sufficient. if you have the bucks, get a wetsuit, but I can promise you that you will be very ucomfortable in a 3/4mm in durban in march/april.
as for spots, umhlanga and umdloti are pretty consistent, but have become way too popular in recent seasons. better be prepared to get their first and hustle if you want crays. there are still crays in that stretch tho - i'll try find a pic of a 2kg bus I picked up last season on that stretch (also the first day that I caught a bag that weighed over 8kg...8crays you do the maths) the whole north coast from umhlanga right through generally produces crays, just find a spot that works for you and guard it with your life.
one last thing, while I understand that you're keen to learn, try go easy with the "practising" out of season. the ban is put in place strategically for the breeding season. while in berry, crays don't like to be disturbed, it can seriously affect the productivity of the whole process. so maybe just get a feel for currents and where they hide for now and get grabbing on the 1st? all the best tho, and I'm game for a Sealine crayfish social
