How To Catch Fiddler Crabs In The Winter (Even When Bait Shops Can't Find Them)

[@Saltstrong]

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[@wannabeangler]

I've known about using fiddlers for ages, but never knew how to catch them when non-existent in the cooler months. Thanks for the tip! South East VA has very similar climate to much of FL, so this knowledge is quite valuable.

[@jackpolmann6159]

“They’re usually in the ones closer to the water” @ 4:05 If the holes look active (sand trails and balls of sand around entrance) there is most likely a crab in there. The reason you’re finding them by the water is that the crabs aren’t very deep in the sand otherwise they’d be submerged due to the higher water table. The further from the water, the drier the soil, and the deeper they will be (in the colder months) The wet mucky soil will tend to have the crabs closer to the surface (I.e. shallower hole = less effort to obtain bait)

[@ethanmarema2291]

I can’t ever find fiddler crabs in the winter. Thanks for the tip

[@shihanjulio]

Good video !!! I keep one of those folding Army style backpack shovels in my truck. Walmart has them in the camping section .

[@garrettirwin8165]

Mud crabs are a great substitute for sheepshead in the winter.... And I prefer mud crabs over fiddlers.

[@paulejrlawson3278]

Thanks for the update. Now,what does a. Mud Crab look like,seriously, Pablo

[@spraym88]

Tony you are DA MAN Sir 💪🏼💯💪🏼💯

[@hookedup1]

Thanks Tony.....great video. I went out the other day to catch Fiddlers but they where either too small or seemed to be dug in really deep and I only had a small hand trowel so it was a lot of work getting to them.....do you find them deeper in the sand as the weather cools off?

[@TheSimpsonTwins_]

They can dig deeper when its cold. If you stand still for 15 - 20 seconds usually they will move towards the top of their holes. makes it a bit easier

[@acsone3546]

Here in Virginia Beach marshes, they are out by the hundreds. You can even see hundreds of burrows in the winter and spring but they stay underground.

[@robbiejohnson3698]

SALTSTRONG is best club great job Tony

[@alabamasmokeywilson6818]

Great tip thanx .Smokey 😎😎😎

[@darlajean1045]

I went digging for fiddler crabs in the winter and had a hell of a time because of all the mangrove roots. That’s when I looked up and realized they also like to sit up on the branches of the mangrove trees and it was easier to catch them that way.

[@acsone3546]

Even in the cold?

[@darlajean1045]

@@acsone3546 yep, as cold as it gets during a Florida winter anyway

[@michaelgandy4002]

Nice Yoda

[@RedFishTV.com.]

Great video Tony ! Brings back memories, up here in Connecticut we haven’t had fiddler crabs for years, Most people believe that the invasive species “Asian crabs”or “Asian Shore Crab” have taken over their habitat , But the good news is they work well for blackfish ,(a.k.a. tautog or tog) One of the videos I’m working on for my channel shows how we catch these crabs along the shore (it’s pretty easy they live under most rocks at low tide) anyway, I’ll let you know when my crab catching video is posted, tight lines

[@waltermiller4071]

Gonna give it a go..think I've been to that spot or one very much like it. In the Refuge?

[@robbiejohnson3698]

Do you have video on hooking the crabs

[@TheSimpsonTwins_]

There are some great videos out there. I start from the bottom of the crab and push straight through the top. I do it slowly so I dont crush the crab

[@williambenner5550]

There is a better technique for getting the crabs out of their holes. That is finding a stick you can insert into the hole and wiggle it around until the crab comes out. It does work with some patients.

[@TheSimpsonTwins_]

I have a mini crowbar that i use. Definitely works

[@chinkapinfishwych8772]

Whoa!!! Those Hobie paddles are off the charts expensive.

[@wish2fish37]

Thanks for this..for us newbies are there other species that may look like a fiddler but illegal to use???

[@macmen007]

Excellent video

[@jasondaigler2507]

“They don’t pinch too hard” 😂 the first time I got pinched it broke the skin!!!!

[@Saltstrong]

haha! tough

[@erickhernandez5316]

If you are able to produce alot more videos that are about gathering and catching would be great

[@TheSimpsonTwins_]

You can find them in the mud as well but its more difficult to walk. Patience and stealth is the key

[@wtkuehne]

Great info. Thank you.

[@kluv5560]

Wonderful 👏 👏 👏

[@redwood1957]

Whats your method in warmer month's?

[@pedrocordero7898]

Are you located in Florida?

[@rcole4092]

So I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the old night crawler trick with 2 electric rods. I made a set up with a long extension cord, plugged in to my outlet on my dock and within minutes they came up out of the ground and scooped them up with a net.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the tip! That sounds very interesting!

[@MrElite16]

Do you need a crabbing license in Fl to get fiddler crabs?

[@jackpolmann6159]

Not that I know of. I’ve never needed one. Just a basic fishing license should work fine

[@anitasayachack4004]

Where do you go picking a fiddler crab for bait.

[@42701texasman]

Not a single bait shop where i live has fiddler crabs.

[@TheSimpsonTwins_]

Catch them when its warmer and store them in a bin at home during the winter

[@Shopweasel]

LOL Florida drop bears..I'm actually scared of blue crabs.especally after learning how easy they can snap through your finger tip.including the fingernail.and boy that hurt for a week straight.i swore off blue crabs ever since.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for watching!

[@mackholt282]

Bro is that by mosquito lagoon?

[@jairaguirre2629]

Bio Lab boat ramp

[@FrankLadd]

They'll live for s long time in 2 inches of wet sand in your bucket or cooler.

[@MARTIN-ez2xh]

👍😍🎅😍👏

[@1DesertCop]

What a pain

[@Saltstrong]

They are worth it though!

[@ashleighdylan6101]

So Nice 💘💘💘💘💘💘

[@elisjanicrenz1221]

I'm Alone 😍😥

[@labcrab3573]

Cool