Tautog. Nice

[Giorgio]

Step, that box is one of those storage containers, about 3x2 and that is a rock so it didn't float. We finally bought a holding cage to keep them alive, which held close to 2 bushels, but we never put in more than one. A 1/2 bushel is a five gallon bucket. We would pay $30-35 for a 1/2, but I remembered a bay man out in 5 towns, I went there and was getting them for $25, fresh caught. MY uncle was a bay man in Broad Channel, now I don't even think there are any left. We used both, male & female, because we cut them in half and those black fish, don't care what they are. I would take off the claws, then cut off all the legs as close to the body as possible, then cut the crab in half. I cut them close so the hook can go through the hole where the leg was and out the body. We cut everything off so there is less for them to pick at, take your bait, without being caught, the claws and legs we used for chum, just throw them over the side. They are perfect bait stealers. One of best fishing there is, well for me any way. Sorry for the long report. Check out the video -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvGmLpC-IqA
G

[steplift20]

Very nice. I called a few bait and tackle stores. They want $7.00 a dozen for green crabs and $50.00 for a half of a bushel greenies. No fiddlers to be found. I think the female are better bait .

[Giorgio]

Good luck and $50 for a 1/2 bushel today, I think is a fair price. I just have to disagree on using the females, believe me they don't care. GOOD LUCK & have fun.
G

[Giorgio]

Step, if you are interested I can get you 1/2 bushel for $40, if you are close. I would get my crabs there when I couldn't get them in New York. New York wouldn't sell them before the season, so I went there. The owners name is Steve, if you mention me he might remember who I am, just tell him Giorgio from Staten Island. It's been years, so he might not remember, just give it a shot.

Up Front Bait And Tackle
229 w Front st Keyport NJ
(732) 497-0919
We will be open
MARCH 1st
6am to 6pm

[steplift20]

Thanks but the tolls and gas and time will kill me. I’m not a black fishermen but I do watch. I was out blackfishing with some pretty good fisherman and they were nailing them. What I noticed is as they were cutting them in half they would keep the ones with orange color in the body, take notice some are orange ( females I think ) so I did it too and started catching them too. It’s the little things that count.

[Giorgio]

That's how I do my crabs as I showed in the picture a few posts back and they all have the orange inside, some more than others. You just can't use females, because when you buy them you don't get a choice and you might be tossing half your dead crabs back, unless you only buy a few and a few won't last 10 minutes. You say your not a black fisherman, well if and when you do go have a great time and good luck. Green crabs are an invasive crab species from Europe, don't throw them back alive, they will destroy clams, mussels, oysters beds and others.
G

[steplift20]

Gotcha. I hope I never have any left to throw back.