Going crab fishing next month need help with bait Comox Valley

Islandgirl

Islandgirl

Well-Known Member
I have just been presented with the opportunity to go to Vic on a crab fishing trip next month.
Apparently they have big ones and plenty of them ....could it be the raw sewage : (

I need to dig up some bait for the trip.
Pm me if you are going out fishing and I will happily take the carcasse, or if you have something left in the freezer.

thanks in advance
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hey Island girl, long time crabber here and i've used just about everything.
The best most easily available is fresh chicken backs.
the local grocery store usually has them for $1-2 per pack
they will fish longer than other baits in my opinion.

Good luck :)
 
If you ever need crab bait last minute scoop up some mussels. A sock works for a bait bag tied to the top of the trap.
Crush about 1/2 and the crabs will do the rest. The downside is they seem to attract more sunfish if they are around.
Salmon heads usually get fewer sunfish.
If you don't have a carcass handy, chicken backs are easy to buy and are no fuss.
The first soak should be the shortest because the blood trail is stronger.
Good luck.
 
I have to echo the use of chicken necks/backs - they work well, and are cheap as hell.

I'm sorry I can't help you out (not fortunate enough to be an Islander), but the Asian markets in Van sell them for something like $0.29/lb.

They typically come as one piece (neck attached to back), and are about the perfect size for a bait bag. I also sling them from the top of my traps. I try to buy a few at a time, freeze them individually, then let them thaw a couple of days before (if I remember) to let them get good and stinky.

I don't know if this helps or not, but sometimes (especially when I won't be out long), I will take a can of soft cat food (Friskies or Carlyle), bend the lid back about halfway, and put that inside as well.

I think it helps put out a scent trail more quickly, but haven't really compared the results.

As odd as it seems, chicken seems to outfish salmon carcasses - for me, anyway.

I know IronNoggin has mentioned that halibut frames work best for him, but I won't even go down the halibut fishery road .... ;-)


Good luck crabbing!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tortuga (and anyone else out there), why is it that whenever there is a sunfish in my trap (and that is typically after a long soak, probably because they can't move fast - Lol!), there are never any crabs in there?

Stupid question, but would they eat the crabs? I mean if a big enough crab is in the trap (ie. can't get out of the holes that little ones can), it obviously can't get out if a sunfish rolls around.

Maybe one of those cool underwater cameras would tell the story ...


Just curious.


Cheers!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
IMO if the sunfish makes it in first the crabs stay away.
I'd like to se a vid of a crab sunfish battle. One things for sure the crab could pinch off a few legs and could still lose.
 
There is also the giant sunfish in the Pacific.
 
Sunfish is a finfish out here too.... AKA Mola Mola

If you have no bait, catch a greenling (within your sport limit) and throw that in the trap
 
Cool, thanks Holmes!

While I can't attest to their speed, I have hauled up my crab traps with these things draped over the top and I bet I have seen them at least 2ft tip to tip. It's also a disappointment because when I started dragging up the traps, I was thinking "damn, this is heavy, it must be full of Dungies", but to no avail ....


Obviously the kelp crab forgot its best defense mechanism until the end - RUN!!! Get the hell outta Dodge! ;-)
 
Hey Island girl I have some pink car us and spring spines in my freezer. I will be home for 3 more days send me a pm if you want them.
 
Hahahaha Holmes, too funny!

I don't have the boat (yet) to get into prawning, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to hand bomb a prawn pot more than once if I didn't have too! Lol! I think the general boat rule should be - if it's not your boat, the guests should be hauling up the traps, especially if they want to sample the goodies!

Even though it's disappointing when you don't hit the mother load, it still is exciting and interesting to see what comes up off the bottom. It's quite a world down there ...
 
A big thanks springnut for the bait and it was nice to meet another forum member.

I know those big sun stars have eaten more than a prawn or 2 in my traps.
I agree with Bruce, if they get in first fishing for anything is done.
 
Sun star fish they also stink or have a very off smell

had quite a run with some this year over on the sunshine coast

chicken skins also work and you may get them for free bait jar them

also wash hands after handling raw chicken???
another tip is put it down frozen

in another bait jar i use kitty cat food and a tin of oily pilchards or sardines mixed up
gives off a good oil slick

also once you pull the traps re-bait with new bait as the old stuff does not work second time around as good

use good traps (best commercial type ). and i find 80-120' of water works for us

don't forget name and number on your buoy and a snap on weight 10-20' down just to keep your line down
and don't use floating poly line if you can help it Best led core

set to depth according to your tide

happy crabbing limit 4 per day per person on boat!!!
 
Wildthing...many areas are 6 crab per person per day!
 
4 for us here on the sunshine coast (area 29 i think?)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Sharphooks
NORTH COAST EXPEDITION PART I
Replies
4
Views
2K
markham
M
K
First Time Visit to BC - Access to Shore fishing without a car
Replies
0
Views
628
KislaBlue
K
Z
Fishing the Straits of Georgia in Nanaimo BC
Replies
10
Views
6K
Karma-Kazi
K
fishingbc
Comox valley echo re: Halibut allocation
Replies
5
Views
1K
Stosh
Stosh
R
Area 17 SFAC Meeting October 18, 2007
Replies
3
Views
1K
RVP
R
Back
Top