do peelers come in cycles ?

Loads of crabs ranging from small to pretty big for the common shore variety . Many had one or both front claws missing . All had a real mean attitude . Quite a few soft-backs but not a single peeler that I could identify . Seems that I missed them all by a day or less.
I didn't think they shed in cycles so would temperature or air pressure have something to do with it ? Could you plan your crab hunts accordingly ?
cheers
nick