Soft Crabs: The World’s Best Bait?

There is not one saltwater predator swimming in the Gulf that doesn’t enjoy eating soft crabs. Think about it for a second. Fish that favor crustaceans, like redfish or sheepshead, love them. Fish that normally chase baitfish, like bluefish or mackerel, snap up soft crab without hesitation. And fish that eat both, like flounder or speckled sea trout, rarely pass up a crabby meal. And when that crabby meal is soft-shelled, virtually all species of fish seem to see it as an unusual opportunity to have their cake and eat it too.

Some may speculate that shrimp could rival soft crab, and they have a solid argument to make. Others will note that matching the hatch at any given time can have more importance then choosing any singular bait, and they have a valid point as well. But when you look at the big picture, on the whole it’s tough to claim any other bait is as tempting and as species-nonspecific as the soft crab. If, that is, you keep these critical points in mind:

• You have to fish it fresh. Frozen soft crab will work, sure, but it’s mushy and won’t stay on the hook as well. Plus, it just doesn’t have the same fresh bait appeal. And note that soft crab that has been frozen, thawed, and then re-frozen is practically useless.
• It’s important to cut the baits properly, cutting the crab into quarters or eighths while leaving the leg sockets intact. You’ll want to slide your hook through those leg sockets, which are the only part firm enough for your hook to get a good purchase.
• Check baits prior to deploying them to make sure they aren’t spinning. Chunks of soft crab do tend to spin, and spinning baits lead to twisted, tangled leaders.
• Take care to prevent the soft crabs from getting mashed during transportation. Sitting a bag of ice on them then running a boat five miles is a great way to pulverize your baits and render them unusable.
• Check baits often, especially after nibbles. The downfall of soft crab is that it’s so soft, and small bait-stealers can often strip your hooks easily.

Aside from a fresh soft crab’s effectiveness, there’s also one big bonus to using them for bait: the leftovers are delicious. Roll them in corn meal and fry ’em up, and the next time you go fishing you may be tempted to set a few aside for later no matter how good the bite is.