Hardback crab as bait

hi lads I'm just wondering how to present a hardback crab on the hook and are they good for smoothound. I went to collect crab but I got mostly hardback crab and only a few peelers and will the hardback do the same job. I will be fishing from the shore. I just dont know what way to put them on the hook. do u crush them or do u put them on whole .Thanks in advance lads.

Hi ARG

I'm sure that they would work but it's mostly the scent and ease of baiting that people use peelers, Hardbacks work well for wrasse fishing, these would mostly be small hardback around the size of a €2 coin, the second last leg is removed and the hook inserted there and out through it's belly! These hardback under a float will cause a lot of movement and attract the fish but with regards to smoothie fishing what's to make them stand out from the other crabs on the seabed if you've no scent?

Basically they could work...but you'll need more luck to catch one!

Cheers mate u have got a good point there. I suppose if I put hard back on and wrapp a bit of peeler on with it for the scent . I don't no sure ill giv it a bash and see how it goes . Thanks for the advice pal.

Yes they do PM sent

Yes they do PM sent

Dave do you find them as reliable as peelers? I've had success with the crinkly crabs all right!

PM sent

PM sent

Any chance you can fill me in on how to bait them up, have came across hundreds of them but never bothered to try any as off yet. Had meant to try small hardbacks for wrasse but was catching a lot of them on lures and never bothered after.

limpet for the wrasse redzer, but this is way I use the hardback as bait, with a few wraps of bait elastic

limpet for the wrasse redzer, but this is way I use the hardback as bait, with a few wraps of bait elastic
http://youtu.be/bKarqpMr3wI