General Crabbing Tips

I bought a couple scotty #650 bait jars that are only vented at the top (jars on far left).  Searching through some old posts, someone recommended drilling extra holes/vents in these type of bait jars as the top vents don't release/milk enough to attract crabs. 

For those of you that use bait jars, what size holes are you guys drilling in the jars? 
What are most people putting in the bait jars?  Just smash some squid, sardines, etc in there?

Also, I've seen some people using 2 bait jars and no other bait...is this normal?  Or do you guys use bait jars along with another bait clipped on or in a bait cage?

I have my bait jars filled with herring that I put in a blender.  Haven't tried it yet,  tho.  I will be using the jars in conjunction with a variety of poultry carcasses in bait cages.

For those of you that use bait jars, what size holes are you guys drilling in the jars? 

Try not to put holes larger than 3/16"; if you do, you stand a good chance of have your jars invested with Sand fleas.

Also, try buying one of the fine point soldering irons and use them to put holes in your jar; they tend to make a smoother hole and with no burrs to worry about.

Come down to the Kayak Crabbing Clinic at CCK next Tuesday, I will be covering this an a whole lot of others tips!!!!!

Crabs like the same good fish you do... As you pick baits, remember crabs go to better baits faster Bigger crabs chase better food and you want big crabs I find bait that breaks up a bit and leaves a trail of crumbs work well

  Good luck

Try not to put holes larger than 3/16"; if you do, you stand a good chance of have your jars invested with Sand fleas.

Also, try buying one of the fine point soldering irons and use them to put holes in your jar; they tend to make a smoother hole and with no burrs to worry about.

Come down to the Kayak Crabbing Clinic at CCK next Tuesday, I will be covering this an a whole lot of others tips!!!!!

Thanks for the info Glen.  I would love to make the crabbing clinic since it would help a newbie like me, but I have class that day so I won't be able to make it.  Just trying to read up on here and the net as much as I can before the season starts.

So what happens when the jars get infested with sand fleas?  Are they hard to get rid of?

Btw, that link Squidder posted was extremely helpful, thanks for sharing that Squidder.

So what happens when the jars get infested with sand fleas?  Are they hard to get rid of?

They just eat up all your bait...

Bummer you can't make it on Tuesday, but Victor (Vwool) is doing one the next day at Headwaters; maybe you can make it to theres...

Also, I am putting together a "How to" presentation on Crabbing, which I will post up when it's done; should be shortly after the clinic after I run it threw the group of hecklers (Loose Screw no doubt)....

Ah, got ya, I'll make sure to keep the holes the size you recommended...damn sand lice!

Thanks for the tips Glen...I'll be looking forward to your "how to" post.

I was using (or rather re-using) lots of containers for bait jars from takeout food, or dollar store sort of tupperware for most of last seasons crabbing and poking holes in them with a drill or knife.  But overall I found it more tedious and wastefull than just using the scotty bait jars.  I tried to drill a hole in the bottom of one, but slpit the plastic so I didn't do the others.  But they work fine for me for baiting traps!  What I also really like are the wire mesh bags you can get to put bait in for a crab ring and not having the seals make off with your bait.  I was using things like potato, onion, orange/ etc sacks for these instead, but yet again I got tired of cutting them out and finding more, so I switched to the wire mesh pouches. 

Headding out to Fishermans Warehouse to pickup the rest of my crabbing gear today!  Cant wait to be feasting on crab in two weeks!!! 

One tip I got from the old guy that lives at Albion is to grab road kill and use it...last yr driving on my way to Doran saw a dead racoon on the side of the road and put it in a plastic bag...chopped it up and put it in and BABM baby big ass Crabs...   not only did it work...didn't cost me a dime

I don't do this, but was thinking that stuffing bait in an old sock would work good. I may give it a shot his season. Anyone ever try something like that?

I don't do this, but was thinking that stuffing bait in an old sock would work good. I may give it a shot his season. Anyone ever try something like that?

i have heard of someone doing this, dont remember the results, pretty sure i read it hear, cameron

I was wondering if canned tuna or cat food would work as a simple bait jar punch a few holes with the tip if a knife and hang with some wire.

Maybe it will be a WFO crab season like a couple seasons ago and we can experiment with things. Last season was tough going for me.

I was wondering if canned tuna or cat food would work as a simple bait jar punch a few holes with the tip if a knife and hang with some wire.

I have put cat food in with whatever bait I am using and it seems to work. I don't do it all the time though.

I only put "bait" in the jars that I might eat normally.....fresh chicken (wings and drumsticks), fresh frozen fish (carcasses and sardines etc)  and frozen squid. Cat food and road kill ?.......you are what you\they eat.....