Good Crab Locations?

[jford]

In general what is the best type spot to find crabs. Shallow/deep  -  near shell of grass -  near creek mouths or straight marsh??? I have crabbed for years in South Carolina but, wonder what the best terrain is to look for in a new area. I'm looking for a pattern to follow like with fishing holes. I have found some good spots but, many times similar locations don't produce. Any advice out there?

[jack1747]

unlike fish, crabs do not hold on structure.  they move around looking for food and temperature, etc. they feed heavier during moving tides and normally are moving with the tide in search of food

[madcrab]

  I usually look for areas where waterways converge.  This natural convergence of moving water...with crabs moving with it...brings a greater chance of catching more crabs.  I also look for points...or turns in the natural topography along the shoreline....which will create natural eddies in which crabs can wait for food to wash to them while they can sit and feed.  THEN...I like to find some sort of underwater abnormality...something that breaks up the boringness of the bottom...like a dropoff (best) in usually 7-12 feet of water...in which to set my traps on.  If I can find a spot with these features...I can have a great day.  But I always do my research on potential spots on "paper" first....usually over the net at maptech.com.....great nautical charts there.  Good Luck!!

[jford]

Thanks for the info madcrab. I'm looking forward to trying it out this coming year. Once you mentioned it a couple of good spots I found in the past stick out. They were at forks in a creek, shell bank humps, an on drops.
Thats a good enough pattern to go by. Planning on putting a crab cracker to good use in '05.

[jack1747]

Mallet.

Carvel Hall Knife!

[Crabber Joe]

nutcracker

[Black Irish]

Mallet.

I thought you used knockers, Kristie?