Crab bait - Rockfish carcass

So, I read an article on SFGate.com about the crab opener, and Tom states in the article that rockfish carcass attracts rock crabs... Is this true?

Traditionally, I use squid and catfood, but this year i saved a bunch of RF and ling carcasses, as well as fish guts.

So what's the scoop on rockfish carcass attracting rock crabs?

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I used RF carcass last year and it produced dungie. If you are getting rock crab you have to move.

I was looking forward to crabbing this weekend but the rain and wind is looking rough. The swell however doesn't look too bad at HMB. Sunday looks be the good day.

I’ve been crabbing for many many moons. My dad used to take me since I was about 6 or 7 years old. (Wow, that’s over 30 years)
Anyhow, we’d stop at a local butcher shop in SF and my dad would buy chicken backs/spine for $.18/lb. If that wasn’t available we’d get the next cheapest things...squid, salmon heads. Over the years I’d see many different methods used to take crab. The strangest thing I saw was a glowstick and an unopened back of oscar meyer cotto salami with holes poked in the package. And I remember seeing a bunch of rock and dungeness crab in the trap.

With all that said, I don’t think it matters. To avoid rock crab and target more dungeness would mean to get away from the shallows and get into deeper, sandier and colder water. Not sure what overall facts that hold but it seems to be my story based on my experience.
Curious to hear what others have to say..

Rockfish and lingcod carcass for crabbing is completely and totally standard. 

I was told not to put the heads of rock fish in the traps as they are predators to the crabs.  So I tried a Cabezon head and got zero crabs so there might be some truth to it. 

Now I just grind up fish minus the head and tail as those get stuck in the grinder anyways.  Makes for an oily slick which seems to attract them quicker.  I usually donÂ’t leave pots overnight as this works best for shorter soaks. 

I was told not to put the heads of rock fish in the traps as they are predators to the crabs.  So I tried a Cabezon head and got zero crabs so there might be some truth to it. 

Now I just grind up fish minus the head and tail as those get stuck in the grinder anyways.  Makes for an oily slick which seems to attract them quicker.  I usually donÂ’t leave pots overnight as this works best for shorter soaks.

I agree .
Using the grind method or chopping up as small as possible then using some procure, add water and freezing it into popsicles is what use .

thx for all the replies. 

And to add to that, every PB I’ve ever been on uses RF carcass and heads. And the crabs dont seem to be scared of the head.

And to add to that, every PB IÂ’ve ever been on uses RF carcass and heads. And the crabs dont seem to be scared of the head.

Probably true.  But the heads work great in my garden so there is enough to go around. 

Rockfish/lingcod carcasses are the best bait you can get. Toss a couple in each trap so the have something to chew on. The active feeding crabs will help your traps fish faster.

Bottom substrate will have much more to do with which species you catch.

-Eliot

I was told not to put the heads of rock fish in the traps as they are predators to the crabs.  So I tried a Cabezon head and got zero crabs so there might be some truth to it. 

Now I just grind up fish minus the head and tail as those get stuck in the grinder anyways.  Makes for an oily slick which seems to attract them quicker.  I usually donÂ’t leave pots overnight as this works best for shorter soaks.

Anything but cabs work,
tuna heads work best but ling caracasses and rockfish get the job done.
 

Rockfish/lingcod carcasses are the best bait you can get. Toss a couple in each trap so the have something to chew on. The active feeding crabs will help your traps fish faster.

Bottom substrate will have much more to do with which species you catch.

-Eliot

It's true!


Missed out on rockfish this year so I'm going to be using some leftover herring from 2015 until I can restock RF carcasses. Getting the freezer to keep bait and such in the garage is really paying off.

Getting the freezer to keep bait and such in the garage is really paying off.

I think I am going to go this route. My wife is very happy with all the halibut and lingcod in our freezer. The fish heads, racks, guts, and bait, not so much. I'll never accumulate the WAF for a Hobie at this rate.

Crabs are scavengers and rock fish carcasses are money. I have been crabbing my whole life and we always keep our carcasses after we fillet our rock fish. I also use Macrel too if I don't have rock fish leftovers. Weather doesn't look too good for the opener so looks like I'll be taking a few days off next week.

Thanks,
PY

I will be delving into the depths of my freezer this afternoon to see what my bait options are.  Suspect I will find a few RF carcasses and several packaged CC herring from several years ago (thanks again Rob Bray!).  FYI - the commercial guys sometimes use squid in addition to fish carcasses.