Master-Baiter

A few members were asking how to bait crab traps (not hoop nets), so I thought I'd post my preferred method.

I usually get a block of frozen bait (its cheap in bulk), from the processors; cost me $25 for a block of squid vs $4.99 for a 2lb box from the bait store...

After letting it thaw for about an hour, I use a BIG cleaver and start chopping the block into little pieces; you want it thaw it enough where you can cut it, but not to the point where it becomes totally defrosted.

I picked up some 1qt paint cups at TAPS plastic and lined them with ziplock sandwich bags; then I filled them up with the chopped up squid, sealed the bag REAL GOOD ( this is important to maintain WAF points) and put them in the freezer.

Now when I go crabbing I just take them out of the ziplock bags and they are preformed to fits inside a Scotty bait jar. And because they are still mostly frozen when i drop the trap, the bait does not begin milking a scent trail until the water begins to thaw the bait out; thus keeping the scent trail on the bottom of the water column vs all they way threw it when you drop you traps.

Lastly... and most importantly, BE SURE TO REMOVE ANY UNUSED BAIT OUT OF THE RV FREEZER WHEN YOU GET HOME!

Hope this helps!
 

Thank you

where do you buy those block at?
I am in Vallejo, do you know (anybody please) of any stores around here that may sell them?

Thank you master-baiter

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where do you buy those block at?
I am in Vallejo, do you know (anybody please) of any stores around here that may sell them?

They are usually located by Commercial fisheries, I get mine from the processors in HMB and I think there's one in the city; but not sure if there's one in Emeryville. $25 for a 22lb block of squid; comes out to $1.14 per pound; versus $2.50 per pound when you buy the ones at the bait & tackle shops....

Thank you master-baiter

  Just wanted to "beat" my boys to the punch.... I knew they would take shots at me for this type of post.....

I can forsee a cheam H.F. bandsaw in the near future for this type of cutting!   

Thanks for the tips!  How many bait jars do you put in each trap?
How long will the bait last?
Do you add anything, or just squid? 

See ya at Doran!

where do you buy those block at?
I am in Vallejo, do you know (anybody please) of any stores around here that may sell them?

They are usually located by Commercial fisheries, I get mine from the processors in HMB and I think there's one in the city; but not sure if there's one in Emeryville. $25 for a 22lb block of squid; comes out to $1.14 per pound; versus $2.50 per pound when you buy the ones at the bait & tackle shops....

Thank you master-baiter

  Just wanted to "beat" my boys to the punch.... I knew they would take shots at me for this type of post.....

So you don't start "milking" until you hit the bottom? 

Thanks for the tips!  How many bait jars do you put in each trap?
How long will the bait last?
Do you add anything, or just squid? 

See ya at Doran!

depends how lazy and how cheap I am at the time; generally squid and anchovie mix, but sometimes just squid... I use 2 bait jars per trap, bait last for a couple of days on overnight soaks... I jar should be just fine for a short soak, like for the tourney...

So you don't start "milking" until you hit the bottom? 

knew there would be one in the crowd...   is that the best NCKA has got????

I don't have the room that you do, but I find the 5 pound block at the Asian Market near me , and take it home and quarter it.  Works well.  I don't know about you but the band saw would seem to be overkill, I have large army chef knife (looks like a short sword), and it hacks through with little difficulty.

Master-Baiter,
Can you fill my jar??? No premature milking either!!!

Are those squid only good for bait?  I want to get some for adobo and also stuff them with crab and grill them at the camp.

Rey

Adobo? what site you in   

$25 for a 22lb block of squid; comes out to $1.14 per pound; versus $2.50 per pound when you buy the ones at the bait & tackle shops....

Or $1.99/lb at an Asian food store.  Ranch 99 has fresh squid for that price, or 3 pound frozen boxes for 5.99 (sometimes on sale for 4.99).  Still not the same price per pound as you're getting, but I don't have 19 pounds of squid left over at the end of the day.   

$1.99/lb for fish heads/collars at Asian food stores too.

-Allen

I use a BIG cleaver and start chopping the block into little pieces;

remind me to never make you angry