Beef and Pork Fat for Crabing

Hi All,
Has anyone used beef or pork fat in bait jars for an added attractant? It seems like it would work but you more experienced folks would know. I figure you still need a good meat bait to keep the crabs on the conicals, but the fat could be a good scent stream. thoughts?
Steve

Friend of mine who hunted wild pigs said he used the hide in his traps and had success.  A different friend hunted ducks and used the carcasses successfully as well.  Even heard of folks using roadkill in Kirk Lombard's book, to each their own I guess.

It's worth a try, especially if you have a good source for it. Fish carcasses and chicken have always worked for me, and I've heard cat food works too. I think crabs eat just about anything.

It's worth a try, especially if you have a good source for it. Fish carcasses and chicken have always worked for me, and I've heard cat food works too. I think crabs eat just about anything.

I tried a bunch of beef only one time and was disappointed.  The poultry did way better, which makes sense to me because there are no flying marine cows that die and sink to the bottom.  One of the best baits I have tried (tis the season) is turkey necks! 

Thanks all. I'll give it a try and respond with the results.
 

Stealing from Peter to pay Paul.

Not pork fat in bait jar, but used pork belly (with a good amount of fat) the day after the season opening and got a limit at half moon bay. Saw a few videos with other kayakers using bacon (sliced pork belly) as well.

... there are no flying marine cows that die and sink to the bottom. 

Are you sure?

Not sure of pork fat. I will be trying Boccacio carcasses that i saved to try for crab bait. Tried cat food that i punctured with holes that seemed to help a bit.

So many different meat sources will work, but remember that crabs won't necessarily choose old, stale, twice or three times thawed meat over fresh.

If you're kicking butt compared to other crabbers around you, your bait may be prime.  Don't make the mistake of thinking that day's bait will be awesome again after going back in the freezer.  BTDT.

Pork fat works.  BTDT.

But really, any fresh protein, preferably with some fat for a scent trail, or a fresh stink like squid, works well.  I use whatever I have on hand or is cheapest and easiest, emphasis on cheap.   Ultimately I aim to spend $10 of bait for $100 worth of crab. It's weird that I look at this like a financial transaction.   Would I take a salmon head and squid over a rockfish carcass?  Sure, but I have no problems using a rockfish carcass.

-Allen

I collected quite a few large mackerel that added to the scent trail that worked as well. I salt them heavily which makes it so much easier to work with straight out of the freezer.

I look to put the least effort into crabbing I can, so I go heavy on bait and scent.  I always love to use fish carcases but didn't keep hardly any rockfish this year.  Going to try chicken this year, but still add fresh squid each drop.  I also like to use procure with the squid in scent jars.

I look to put the least effort into crabbing I can, so I go heavy on bait and scent.  I always love to use fish carcases but didn't keep hardly any rockfish this year.  Going to try chicken this year, but still add fresh squid each drop.  I also like to use procure with the squid in scent jars.

You killed it at the last crab fest if i remember correctly ?

But really, any fresh protein, preferably with some fat for a scent trail, or a fresh stink like squid, works well.  I use whatever I have on hand or is cheapest and easiest, emphasis on cheap.

This. If I don't have any fish carcasses, I usually find whole chickens to be cheapest. 1 chicken can bait 2 hoop nets for a whole day,  I take the kitchen shears and cut them in half lengthwise, and stuff them in the bait pocket.