Circus Crabs

[tweetybug]

I had the oppotunity to catch a very low clear tide.  In the area were about 15 crabs of which I had 1 line, 1 trap and 1 pot.  They weren't interested in the line.  They would circle the pot but give up as if to say ah I can get easier food elsewhere.  Now as they approached the open trap they backed up about 2 feet then swam through the trap then circled it for a minute then backed away.  As if to test whether it was safe to enter with an exit.  Watching them swim through like that was the shocker.  After all this they still stayed in the same area.  It was not bad bait as they clipped a few pieces with swim through.  Could the crabs be adapting to the ways of capture as if we were a predator they need to beware of ? ?  
Had anyone witnessed this before ?  
It did make for an enjoyable show of circus crabs !  LMAO  

[Steve]

Very interesting indeed.

Here's what I noticed down at Lake Mattamuskeet:

Along one lock, I had two handlines and four traps in the water. On one particular handline I kept getting something. I'd pull the line in slowly only to have the crab drop off at the last second. As soon as I put the bait back in the water, the crab would start hitting it again (it wasn't a turtle). After several futile attempts to catch this crab, I pulled up the handline and threw in a trap in the exact same location. I was certain that the crab would go into the trap and I'd have him. After 4 or 5 pulls from the trap, nothing.  

So, I pulled the trap and put back the handline. And wouldn't you know, that pesky crab was right back at it again. And he kept dropping off at the last minute like usual.

So, here's what I did:

I put a large unbaited ring-trap straight down from where I was standing. When the crab was back on my line, I slowly pulled him in. When he got over the ring trap, I pulled it up and nailed him!  

But, your story explains why the first trap didn't catch him. Perhaps he was a cunning and smart crab and stayed clear of unknown objects.  

[jack1747]

Survival of the fittest
 

[tweetybug]

Glad to hear I am not the only one the crabs got the best of.  I was considering a ring trap but didn't think it was efficient.  To each crab its own habits.

Good one Jack, problem is I thought I was the fittest  
Guess I thought wrong    

[kingcrabber]

Perhaps he was a cunning and smart crab and stayed clear of unknown objects.  

AHA...THATS why I'm in a slump.....only the SMART crabs come up against the King... ...how devious

[Joe Crabs]

Yeah KC, we have to find a dumb creek for you.

[kingcrabber]

yea...I got enuff dumb freinds