keeping crab alive 24hr+

Alright guys, pulling this one back up. (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=44230.0) Which one should I go with for my trip down to SD. Pulling crabs tomorrow in the AM, and hoping to keep them alive til Saturday afternoon at least. I have enough gear I can either do
-(2) 5g buckets with lids and battery powered aerators, and maybe one frozen water bottle tossed in each to keep the temp down OR
-Stuff them all in my cooler (easily fits 10 crab) with a few frozen water bottles and a seawater-dampened towel. Any votes for either?

Cook then transport, I've tried to keep them alive a few times and they do survive but taste terrible do to stress I think. Just cook them then lay a good layer of ice on them prolly best bet for good fresh crab.

I would imagine that you may need to swap out that water several times if you plan on keeping them that long, but I am sure others will chime in.  I have always heard that its best to avoid keeping them in bucket of water for long periods as it gets polluted quite quick.

I'd personally go with the wet towel/burlap sack and water bottle idea if you're set on keeping them alive, but even then, its very iffy on whether or not they will be alive after 24+ hours.

I think best bet would be James' recommendation to cook them first.

Good luck and have a safe trip.

I second the "cook first" method

Thanks guys. Might be that I'll cook 5 and try to keep 5 alive just to see. I have a source for filtered seawater down in SD so I could grab new water tomorrow night, ~12 hours later and then another change in the morning. The goal was fresh crab for Easter Sunday but that just might not happen I guess.

+1 on the cook first.  I think it'll be fresh enough on Sunday morning if you cook on Friday.

-Allen

I have cooked many a crab with no bad results that were left in an ice chest with or without sea water overnight.  They were still alive.  If there alive there fine, if dead then no go.

I have kept crabs overnight. DO NOT leave them in water, they will deplete the oxygen and die. Soak a towel or burlap sack in SEA water, then cover crabs, then put a bag of ice over that. Make sure you drain water as ice melts. When in doubt, cook'em, then travel without worries! Good luck and post a report how it all goes!!!

Although time consuming...cook first then ice then transport. 

I have kept crab alive for up to 10 days after catching them. I vote 5 gallon buckets, ideally not more than 3 crabs per bucket and an aerator plus a few frozen water bottles for each bucket. If your going to try keeping them alive for more than a day or so, try and change the water when you can. Some may still die after a couple days, but most will survive.

I've kept crabs alive for over two weeks in a 45 gal tank. I used sea water. Tasted fine. Water went bad after feeding them chicken. They will destroy air stones and anything else they can crush with their claws including each other. Keep 'em in the dark. I recommend cooking and cleaning before transport.