NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing Zone => Kayak Fly Fishing => Topic started by: Roofer Rich on September 03, 2016, 09:16:01 PM

Title: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: Roofer Rich on September 03, 2016, 09:16:01 PM
I tried surf casting for 5 hours with no bites but dug up the largest sand flea I've ever seen. I need to figure out surf casting. Check out the photo it was crazy big and more impressive in person. That's what she said.
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: CptSloppywood on September 03, 2016, 09:35:28 PM
Sand crab?
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: Mojo Jojo on September 03, 2016, 09:46:52 PM
If that's s flea be looking out for the feral ghouls and super mutants!!  :jawdrop
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: sonoramike on September 03, 2016, 10:06:48 PM
I dug a massive one at pismo this year.
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: Mienboy on September 03, 2016, 10:35:21 PM
That's just a giant sand crab
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: matanaska on September 03, 2016, 11:15:44 PM
It's a big female sand crab.  I have found them about the size of a golf ball.
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: Otter on September 04, 2016, 07:49:46 AM
I dug a massive one at pismo this year.


Woah!!! Either you have trump hands or that thing is a beast! 😄

-Eliot

Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: ScottV on September 04, 2016, 08:38:55 PM
I'll bite your head off, be careful
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: Bushy on September 05, 2016, 04:50:16 PM
Mole Crab.

Sand fleas are tiny and look sorta like shrimp. Separate sub species from sand crabs.

Sand crabs and Mole crabs look the same, and I think even are the same subspecies.  Local experts (9 and 11 yr old perch fishermen) recently ID'd the giant sandcrab to me as a "Mole Crab."  I had never seen one before.  They are quite impressive.

Bushy
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: alien on September 05, 2016, 06:31:51 PM
Look at all the roe in that monster!
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: surf12foot on September 07, 2016, 08:16:26 PM
If mole crabs get that big hate to see the size of surf perch that will eat it!!!! :-D
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: OnTheReel on September 07, 2016, 10:32:01 PM
Mole Crab.

Sand fleas are tiny and look sorta like shrimp. Separate sub species from sand crabs.

Sand crabs and Mole crabs look the same, and I think even are the same subspecies.  Local experts (9 and 11 yr old perch fishermen) recently ID'd the giant sandcrab to me as a "Mole Crab."  I had never seen one before.  They are quite impressive.

Bushy

^^ This... I've seen em around the beaches my whole life, they used to scare the ... outta me, now I get a kick out of when I can find em.. seems like they're more prevalent in warmer waters.. They only come around ever so often, but as stated before... I would wonder what size of a striper would take one of these (if they even would)...

Thanks for the share, its not too often you see photos of them still alive, mainly just shells, however lately here in SC there's been quite a few.. not so fun to step on barefoot!
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: ScottV on September 10, 2016, 09:56:35 AM
Growing up in Southern California use to play with them in the surf as a kid. They would tickle your hand with their little feet.
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: ScottThornley on September 11, 2016, 02:12:53 AM
Mole Crab.

Sand fleas are tiny and look sorta like shrimp. Separate sub species from sand crabs.



Weellllll.... because bsteves isn't here, I'll step in and get on the pedantic pedestal. Sand fleas aren't a different sub-species than mole crabs. They aren't co-specific, neither do they share the same genus nor even family.

Sand Fleas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talitridae
Mole Crabs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerita_(genus)

As to the OP - That is one big mama mole crab. Never seen any that big. Maybe it's a trophy ?? :smt001 :smt001

Scott
Title: Re: Monster sand flea photo - but no surf perch at sunset beach
Post by: Bushy on September 12, 2016, 09:30:07 AM
Scot Thornley!!!!!!