Keeping crabs alive

[CrabberGrabber]

All,

Just wondering what your strategy is keeping crabs alive while you're running your 20-30 trap line.  95 degrees at the Jersey Shore has cost me to lose a few crabs over the last month.  Is there any secrets of the pros out there besides keeping them shaded?  Thanks in advance!

[lreops]

I prefer burlap dampened covering them, but any kind of towel or the like, occasionally dampened with all the crabs right side up underneath. Don't need to submerge the basket or crabs. They'll be alright for quite a long time out of water, just as long as they're out of the direct sun.

Ron

 

[tattoo]

What he said , I have also used frozen 2 leader bottles in my basket

[CrabberGrabber]

Thanks guys.  I might actually just combine both strategies and put a frozen 2 liter or two at the bottom and use a towel on top.  Can't wait to get on the water Thursday!

[KVSL]

I use a white towel submerged in water and them rung out so it is slightly dripping wet...i drape it over the top and sides and this seems to do the trick.  We have a 60min+ ride from the bay to Frederick so as soon as I get the truck to the boat ramp the AC is on hi and the crabs go right in and stay covered until we get home where I will hose them down and keep the towel on them until they take a steam bath.  We had two dead crabs in a bushel last trip which isn't too bad.  I do try and dip them if we have the chance thru out the day....

[chef]

I use a large mesh, diving, catch bag. Once crabs are culled they go into the catch bag which gets tied off
 and hung into the water off the side of my kayak, canoe, or brother-in-law's skiff. Crabs stay fresh and lively
regardless of how hot it is or how long I'm on the water.

They stay surprisingly calm in it too. I was worried that they would kill each other when I first started doing
it but its never been a problem. The bag will hold up to a bushel and all you have to do is throw it in the cooler
on top of your frozen 2 liter bottles for the trip home.

Never lost a crab since doing it this way and it frees up room on the boat which is an added plus.

The secret is to ice the crabs down while they're still in the bag or you'll have a heck of a time getting them out
without any bloodletting being involved. 

[outlaw]

The catch bag sounds like a GREAT idea, especially making more room in a small boat!  Thanks.