Dorado 2 Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Hi guys will be going up to Wagstaffe ( Central Coast) for 2 weeks near the end of Feb and for the first time I will be trying to catch some blue swimmers crabs, is this time of month too late for this sort of thing?? can anyone guide me where to drop the traps?? just a general guide would do as I do not want you to give away any secret spots, perhaps that way I might get a response Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Hi guys will be going up to Wagstaffe ( Central Coast) for 2 weeks near the end of Feb and for the first time I will be trying to catch some blue swimmers crabs, is this time of month too late for this sort of thing?? can anyone guide me where to drop the traps?? just a general guide would do as I do not want you to give away any secret spots, perhaps that way I might get a response Cheers Hi guys will be going up to Wagstaffe ( Central Coast) for 2 weeks near the end of Feb and for the first time I will be trying to catch some blue swimmers crabs, is this time of month too late for this sort of thing?? can anyone guide me where to drop the traps?? just a general guide would do as I do not want you to give away any secret spots, perhaps that way I might get a response Cheers mate your not allowed crab traps or witches hats in Brisbane waters sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DV8 Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Mate as previous member said trapping is not permitted in Brisbane waters but don't worry, you dont need traps to catch crabs there. I go after them about twice a week and never come home with less than 10. All you need is 4 handlines with a head or tail. Anything else is just not tough enough and once the crab gets the slightest mouthful he will let go. The trick is to be on the water by dawn. You will not get them before dawn or any later than about 8.30 am. Sure you will get the odd one in the middle of the day but if you want t o get them in numbers you need to be at it before the wind and light is up. Forget it if there is any breeze. They will grab the bait but you will not be able to get them to the surface. As far as spots go almost anywhere will produce. Look for spots where weed turns into sand. I fish at Tascott but I believe between rieleys and St Huberts is good. Remember - release the females. even if they don't have eggs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorado 2 Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 Wow did not know that!! where is the info on that?? How long ago did they ban the use of crab traps?? bloody hell just blew $80 for nothing. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackfish Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Wow did not know that!! where is the info on that?? How long ago did they ban the use of crab traps?? bloody hell just blew $80 for nothing. Cheers Brisbane Waters has been closed to Crab Nets/pots etc for at least 30yrs . B.F. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the bream Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 mate go over to patonga creek there are so many crabs there put them in there the rediants dont care they love to see ppl get stuff take it from me i have been fishin there my whole fishig life 10yrs so its preceft fine lauch from the caravan park Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livo Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 If your basing at Wagstaffe you don't have to go far at all to catch crabs. There is a narrow channel that runs around behind the Oyster leases in front of the Hardys Bay Marina. Straight in front of you and off to the right when you come down the hill to the T intersection. This goes into a largish expanse of water protected by the leases and up to 5m deep. There are a few boats moored in there. Fish with handlines as descrided in previous post and when a crab is present retrieve the line slowly and carefully up to just beneath the surface and pick him up with a scoop net. I've made a crabbing net by removing the nylon mesh from a landing net and fashioning a scoop out of chicken wire around the frame. The reason is simple. Crabs tangle into a soft net and it can sometimes take ages to get them out plus the risk of being pinched. They don't mind hurting you if they can as you probably know. I use mullet bait , either fillets or the frame, which has been working for me for 30 years. Other good bait is to use some light gear and worm or prawn and try to catch a couple of baby snapper or whiting. Cut it in half and straight back out there. They love them. I always use a couple of smaller baits as well on a decent long shank hook. The reason is simple. Flathead love crab baits too and I've lost several over the years. If you tie your bait on instead of using a hook when you get them to the surface the flatty blows a big puff of water and the bait straight out in your face and then casually swims away deliberately slow. It's enough to make you cry. I'm sure all Brisbane water crabbers can tell you the same story. There used to be an aligator in the hole in front of Tascot that teased countless would be assasins many years ago including my father and me. Late afternoon is just as good as early morning in my opinion if you can get somewhere out of the breeze and taking 6 -10 is easy if they are around. Using the same methods Blue Swimmers can be caught from the long jetty jetty that sticks out right on the corner of the leases. Other spots to try are on the flats around St. Huberts Island and the water just to the left when you go under the Woy Woy Road and Rail Bridges into Woy Woy Bay. They are just about everywhere really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guts Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 thats a dumb idea telling people to use baby snapper for crab bait also illegal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, guts said: thats a dumb idea telling people to use baby snapper for crab bait also illegal Its also a 13 year old post so I would think knowlegde & attitudes have changed in that time! Edited September 6, 2020 by kingie chaser 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now