when i recently stayed at a resort along bulcock beach right next to the boardwalk my sister was using my soft plastics tied to the actual plastic and she cast it along the rockwall and was catching the crabs, i am unsure on the species as why i didn't try them for bait. Maybe this is an option maybe not, all i can remember is that its good fun lifting them up over the rail and chasing them to put them back in the water.
regards,
keechie