Hard Back Crabs

Ive been reading that you can use hardback crabs when fishing for wrasse.

Can anyone tell me if they are any use and whats the best way of putting them on the hook

They are a good bait especially for picking out the bigger fish. I usually use a 3/0 and cut the crabs in half ( depending on size ) then i put the hook in from the cut side and out through a leg socket. You can then use elastic thread if you want to hold it in place although i rarely do as i'm not casting far.

Google is a great tool

http://www.google.ie/#hl=en&source=hp&q ... 33&bih=801

Google is a great tool

http://www.google.ie/#hl=en&source=hp&q ... 33&bih=801

So are you why say that, he wants people's opinions from here who fish the spots he will fish.

most wrasse marks are full of limpets so why bother with hardbacks ?at most i,d say one hookup per 5 hits with hardback ,a well presented limpet should be much higher and alot less hassle to collect ,a small wriggly rag to tip off your limpet will add even more pulling power

Thanks for the advice. Looking forward to trying a few rock marks next weekend.

Just read this post. I have used live hard backs for Wrasse with great success. I read above that the bigger Wrasse tend to go for them, and I would agree whole heartedly. I would usually farm a few if we are particularly targeting Wrasse, for fished under a float there is no better sport. Try and choose crabs no bigger than a 50 pence piece. As for placing them on the hook, place the barb on the underside of the shell, just a few ml inside the triangulated corner of the shell, and push right through to the top side of the shell, exposing the barb. The crab will hang on the curve of the hook, one set of legs, dangling down and the other pointing up, it will wriggle it's legs continuously which proves an ideal attractant. Fished close to a kelp wall, the big Wrasse smash into them, and race off with no hesitation. I have caught huge Wrasse this way, up to 5lb, my biggest so far. I usually use 1/0 or 2/0 Aberdeens for this, but I am going to try the circular crab hook next time, but I don't usually have any problem hooking them up.

cheers Paul

i supose smaller crab will increase your hookups alot,has anyone tried the berkley gulp peeler for them ?a good alternative if you havnt any crab ,a bit expensive but you can keep them forever in your bag as a backup.

any crab up to about an inch in diameter( any bigger and you risk reeling in half a crab instead of a big wrasse) with as little weight as practical so the bait falls naturally through the water .

Was down in Dingle recently. First cast on worm was a 1 pound wrasse to lug. Second cast was 1 and a half. Then I changed to Limpet. Next 6 casts resulted in 6 wrasse to about 4 pounds smallest at 3 pounds. When I tryed with crab on two different days I didn't get a sniff. Now I'm not saying crab don't work, they obviously do, but for more hookups I'd go for limpet, which will catch the bigger specimens. Just make sure you change the bait a few times, as the scent pretty much disappears after every cast. Just my thoughts..

http://www.google.ie/#hl=en&source=hp&q ... 33&bih=801[/quote]
So are you why say that, he wants people's opinions from here who fish the spots he will fish.[/quote]

nice one shane.....