Crabbing

[Steve2d]

Looking for folks using the CrabHawk - the castable crab catcher. How is it doing? Have people been using them in the surf or just on the piers, jetties and boats? Let us know how you like it. We are looking for good photo close-ups with the CrabHawk containing multiple crabs that we may include on our website. Happy Crabbing!!

[Derek Bullock]

Hey

I just checked your website and have never seen one before.

Anyone know where you can get them around Brisbane. Would be worth looking at.

Derek

[Derek Bullock]

Just had another look. It is American.


Derek

[jaybee]

Very interesting, never considered using chicken before to catch crabs wonder how the sandies and muddies would take to chicken legs..might work out cheaper then buying mullet.
cheers.

[Big_Muddie]

Hi All.

This crabhawk thing has been doing the rounds of fishing sites. It is American and I seriously doubt that it would be legal over here.

Jaybee - I use chicken necks, along with other baits such as 'Roo tail and fishframes, in all my pots. I did notice an increased catch rate after doing that but don't have any quantitative data - just anecdotal stuff. Sandies in particular seem to like a mix of fish frames and chicken necks.

Both sandies and muddies like the chicken - no doubt in my mind. One thing I have consistently noticed is that the necks are being pulled out of the bait holders (I use gutter guard pouches that I make myself) by both species of crab - and very little is left of them.

[jaybee]

hey muddie my bro has increased his catch rate by using a piece of pvc pipe. for the ends he uses the same size pipe, heat the pipe till it expands push it over the end, when it cools and shrinks it wont come off. he then heats that end and closes it together, for the other end he heats the pipe, and as it cools, twists it so it will become a firm fit and is removable, heat the outer end to close it off after that, drill holes along the length of the pipe and attach it to the dillie, pot, the bait is no longer ripped off. He chops his bait up and pushes it in tight with a piece of broom handle, at the end of the day just take of one end tip out the bait, give the pipe a quick rinse. He says he has anchored over a pot in clear water and watched eels and small fish trying to get to the bait without any success, hope i explained it so its easy to understand. will be making some myself later.

[Steve2d]

Yes, it's American. But don't let that stop you from giving it a try. We've sold many to Australia and have gotten great feebback. Let us know if it is something you're interested in. If you do choose to give it a try, be sure to take photos of your catch and send them to us so we can be sure to include them when we update our site.

[Big_Muddie]

Jaybee,

Interesting design. Can you tell me the PVC pipe diameter and length please? I'll make a few up and try them

[Big_Muddie]

Steve2D,

Being American doesn't worry me in the slightest. What worries me is that your traps don't comply with any regulations (that I am personally aware of) for "crab traps" here in Australia.

[jaybee]

hi muddie
he has tried various sizes 2 inch to 4 inch dia but mainly 4 inch you can squeese a fair size mullett into that, probably even get away with 6 inch dia, Around a foot in lenght, depends on the bait you use most i guess. he just used scrap pieces that were laying around. let me know how u get on
cheers
joe.

[Big_Muddie]

Thanks Jaybee - I'll let you know.

[PG]

I checked out the Crabhawk site. Off the top of my head I can't see that it wouldn't fit into our regs but I'd reckon it'd be less efficient than a dilly. From what I read it is attached to a rod and it's a matter of waitng and watching for some 'action' that indicates a crab is chewing on the bait, pull it up and close the trap on the crab. How is that better than a dilly, a witches hat or pot even? Geez mate if I was going crabbing for mudcrabs here in C.Qld I'd be wanting to use more than one trap and wouldn't be sittin on it all day hoping a legal size muddie takes the bait ! I'm sure it catches crabs but for around $5 for a dilly, why would you import something at a greater cost if it's gonna be so labour intensive to catch crabs?
This design reminds me of an old trap I saw as a kid. Was for sale in tackle shops, pyramid shaped and I must say, it wasn't in store for long...went off the shelf after a short life.

[Tally]

I agree 100% with PG. With a pot you can set it and go do some fishing and then come back and check it.Why would you bother using this contraption where you have to sit there waiting for a legal muddie or sandie to walk in. Another disadvantage is that you will tie up a rod and reel that could be used for fishing instead.

Cheers,
Jay.

[snappa]

crab hawk.
sorry, it will never be a success in qld.
just my opinion and i have been crabbing most of my life from the bad old days of hooking from holes when my old man leased the island in the pine river for shellgrit.
save your money and chase something else

[Steve2d]

Thanx for the insight fellas! Everyone has there one taste in crabbing. We here it all the time but once people see it in person and see how well it does and the fun people have using it. Well, the rest is history.

Happy crabbing!