For certain fish species such as sheepshead, redfish, black drum, tarpon, and pompano, using a fiddler crab as bait is often the most productive bait you can use. They work extremely well for fish that are used to eating them. If you’ve never used fiddler crab as bait before, in this short guide we will tell you how to find them, how to catch them, and how to hook them to use for fishing.
Where To Find Fiddler Crab
Fiddler crabs can usually be found on saltwater beaches, mud banks, grassy flats, marshlands, under piers or neat structure like rocks that will provide them shelter. Usually, they tend to hang out in a colony, so as soon as you find one, there are sure to be others lurking nearby.
How to Catch Fiddler Crab
Fiddler crab is relatively easy to catch. Just grab a small bucket or container to place them in and pick them up. You can use gloves if you want to, but their claws are usually too small to even pinch you. You can also use a small shovel and dig about 5 inches into the ground if you see them on the beach. If you don’t want to catch your own, you can always buy them at your local bait shop.
How to Hook Fiddler Crab
The best way to rig a fiddler is to insert the hook in between either the back legs of the fiddler crab or the back corner of the shell behind the back legs. Push the hook through the top of the shell and try to center it. Don’t hook the crab too deep or you may wind up killing it. Live bait works best, so keep that in mind.
Other Resources:
How To Hook Fiddler Crab
How to Catch and Rig Fiddler Crab
