Catching Crabs With a Chicken Leg

February 23, 2017

Question: California regulations stipulate that taking crustaceans by “hook and line” is not a legal method of take. So what about a baited line with no hook (e.g. a chicken leg) with a hand line tied to it? As long as I use my hands to take the crab and not a net, is a baited line allowed to lure the crab within reach? (Patrick M.)

Answer: Ocean sport fishing regulations specify what gear may be used to take saltwater crustaceans, and for the most part, nets, traps and other appliances are prohibited methods of take (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 29.80(a)(2)). A baited line without a hook is not a legal method of take, but here’s an idea … you could tie a chicken leg to a loop trap, or make the chicken leg into a loop trap by attaching up to six loops (slip knots) to the bait, and snare a crab this way. This method of a line attached to a chicken leg would be legal to use!

I think it would be totally awesome to see a crab with a chicken leg, let alone catch one...

Is that just ocean? Lots of folks catch crayfish with a bait-on-a-string setup, especially in Lake Tahoe.

Maybe... 50+ years ago or so?

I learned to take a woman's nylon stocking, chuck in a couple of fish carcasses, tie a rope closing the open end, and proceed to dip this baited stocking between the rocks at the Moss Landing jetty. It was very effective as the rockies would get the points of their feet stuck in the mesh. Good thing they were/are greedy little buggers!

I Zod Out

Really, chicken on a string is not allowed?

Where I'm from in coastal Georgia it's a right of passage. It's very rewarding to slowly pull up your bait with a crab latched onto it. Then you must carefully net them before they jump off. At least this takes some skill.

I don't agree with this answer. If the regulation states "Hook AND Line". "AND" seems to be the key word here. A line without a hook should be ok IMO. That said, I'm a total newbie to all these crazy CA regulations.

I agree that this seems pretty ridiculous, even by CA standards.

Put snare loops on the chicken leg 

Sounds like something the stoned creators of those "late night" Taco Bell munchie menu items would come up with. 

Are these the same idiots that closed abalone???

Put snare loops on the chicken leg 

Sounds like something the stoned creators of those "late night" Taco Bell munchie menu items would come up with. 

Are these the same idiots that closed abalone???

Jack in the Box has some munchie fame also...

This does not seem rationally related to a legitimate government purpose.