Mud Crabbing out of the Kayak....

[somescott]

Found a creek probably 3months back too small to get my 20ft boat in. Anyhow on the weekend I thought I'd take the kayak and few pots for a paddle to check it out.

I got in the creek on about 1/4 tide, No room to turn the yak around until about half tide. So I continued paddling, in reverse in places.

First drop got a keeper

This is where I realised the strategy of having to retrieve my catch from the pot in the confined space wasn't really that thought out and i sure as hell wasn't letting him wander around on the floor of the yak like what sometime happens in the boat. Anyhow that wasn't too bad until I try tying the bugger up.

I'm not a gymnast so using my feet in the process in the yak was out of the question, So I tried tying him with one hand while holding it with the other.....very interesting but eventually got it. Into the esky he goes just hoping that I get another to make sure all this effort that has gone into tying him up so they don't fight has been worth it.

All up 3 keepers, One with a maltese cross that looked like he might needed to be stretched to go the distance but didn't thankfully. I think someone may have been in here before me as there were plenty of jennies and small bucks, but nevermind thats fishing. Good to see this creek is alive and hasn't been r@ped like other waters.

Not bad effort for 3 hour soaking and 4 pots, Considering the most i've got out of this area is 4 muddys with 8 pots and extra person to share them with::).

[cammo79]

good effort mate.

[bermo82]

Good effort mate, i love exploring those little creek systems and snagging a crab here and there. Makes for the experience.
Next time you use the kayak, head down to a fruit and veg shop and get a hold of some heshin bags. when you get a crab, chuck him in the bag and wet some newspaper and put it over the crab.
each time you get a crab some more paper in with it. The trick is not to keep picking up and moving the bag but just put the next crab in. They cover up in the newspaper and will stay still and not fight. I've been doing this for years and have never had a problem.
Just a suggestion that has worked for me and Ive found to be easier then having to tie up each crab and less likely to get bitten in the process when in small confined areas (kayaks.

Enjoy the feed

Bermo

[somescott]

Thanks Bermo,

Will try that on the next outing

[Si]

well done! stealth crabbing here we come.

[stonecold]

;D ;D ;D wait til one of those gets out in the bottom of the yak, brings a whole new meaning to the word extreme. Had a big sucker land in my lap before xmas. I bailed, thankfully the water was only 1 m deep. I landed on my feet and the crab stayed in the yak! It was touch and go there for a second. Had visions of the crab with one family jewel in each claw for decoration!

[Shagga]

Great effort on the yak.

[bermo82]

No dramas mate, let us know how you go!

always good to see mudcrab posts on here.

Bermo

[Axl]

Top effort crabbing in a yak hey you may start a new trend.

[marto78]

Well done on the crabs mate. I havent tried the newspaper but a couple of handfulls of mangrove leaves thrown in usually keeps them quiet as well. Or you can try what my cousin up north does with duct tape, just wait for the muddy to stick his claw up then quickly tape it closed, he swears by it.
cheers marto

[somescott]

Ta Marto,

Zip ties are good too if you can get your hands on them cheaply/free.

I was using dillies chasing the muddies up the Caboolture river one night, as soon as i got past Monties someone was raiding them. All i was getting back was a dillie back with holes in it and some cut Zip ties in it.

I'm assuming the guys that were raidng them were zip tying the claw then cutting the crab out of them.

Mind you they would of been very quick cause we were working the pots continuously.

[Mossy247]

nice effort on the yak brother, I have a bad feeling I would drop mine on my lap and she's all over red rover.... no kids for me :-p

[bermo82]

Hey Marto,

Not sure if you're aware but the fisheries don't look kindly on those with mangrove branches in their possession. It is illegal to break off mangrove branches.

For a dollar the local courier mail works out a lot cheaper then the fine the fisheries will give you plus you can read the paper between checks to pass a bit of time.

Not having a dig at you just passing on some info.

Cheers

Bermo

[Scott Ashe]

Well done mate, especially out of a kayak.

I went out last week and only got one legal for an overnight soak.

Cheers
Scott

[dreemon]

I'm just wondering . . . do you just stack the pots on the yak? might be easier to work with them if you could tow them in a tube, pull the tube next to you when you want to set up or pack em up, a plastic bucket that fits in the tube and you'll have a place to dump the crabs into , and store the bait and floats in . Cheers

[somescott]

I thought about the tube idea as well....but only for the Misses to sit in so i can have 4 extra pots. Good idea just creates a bit more drag and you notice it on longer paddles.

I've got a Profish (link below) for Christmas and it has plenty of room to swing a cat and store everything. I just use the rectangular collapsible and have them stacked on the front. As long as i have the bait bags ready its quite easy to set them up.

Ta Scott

http://www.vikingkayak.com.au/profish_kayaks.htm