How to Find and Hook Sand Crabs

[@JamesBarnett-v5e]

Thanks for the tip man. Got some good ones just this morning.

[@surffishinginsocal]

@@JamesBarnett-v5e heck ya!

[@KennyFishbone]

Awesome. I find Smaller colonies on the east coast of North carolina. Will definitely try the hook technique...you're doing something different!

[@fishflash1]

I'm new to fishing So Cal. I find your videos helpful. I like that they are brief, yet lots of good info. Thanks and keep 'em coming.

[@surffishinginsocal]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@chrisallen1256]

@@surffishinginsocal Agree. Good stuff. Thank you. New to SoCal as well.

[@jenniferthompson4584]

You are right, I've been watching a bunch of these videos. You by far have done the best explanation on sand crabs. I was looking thru watching different channels, you are great. Thanks for the info.

[@surffishinginsocal]

Thank you so much!

[@madrd002]

Man you pick up a ton of them on that second dip! Luv the vids man keep em coming bro.

[@surffishinginsocal]

Appreciate the support! Yah every now and then you come across a really dense bed and they’re full of em!

[@That_big_guy]

As the water goes out look for the water to make v shapes. That's where you will find them. I remember as a kid in California I filled a 5 gallon bucket overflowing in less than 5 minutes. I released them afterwords but I was curious about them.

[@richardcarabio998]

Thanks for sharing and what to look for. Very helpful .

[@surffishinginsocal]

No problem!

[@IslandBlaze1k]

Thanks for the tips the Collender trick will really save me some money lol

[@surffishinginsocal]

Absolutely!

[@michaeljamison8254]

Thanks man, that was real helpful.

[@papajorge88]

Solid video man! Went to mission beach and there were only tiny ones likes you showed at one point..hoping to find some bigger ones next time

[@surffishinginsocal]

They’ll come for sure! Give it a couple weeks

[@jimmychanga774]

Thanks....that was helpful. Keep up the great work.

[@surffishinginsocal]

Thanks, Jimmy!

[@tommyliu4683]

New subscriber here. Good informative content in your videos. I know how to catch sandcrabs and what you shared here is spot on. Especially the sandcrab beds. Keep up the great videos!

[@stanhurley860]

Those little details like the size of the crab and hook placement are especially helpful! What are your thoughts on using multiple crabs on one hook when I can only find small ones? And what size hook do you typically use? Thanks

[@surffishinginsocal]

Absolutely! If I find only small one I’ll put two sometimes three on a hook. And I use size 4 and sometimes size 2 mosquito hooks. My entire setup (light tackle and sharking) is outlined in detail here: surffishingsocalsd.com/gear-and-tackle-for-surf-fishing/

[@stanhurley860]

Much appreciated! 😎🤙

[@PaulThurlow]

Great info - thanks !

[@proth1951]

Thanks. Very helpful.

[@surffishinginsocal]

No problem!

[@jimmychanga774]

I live in Monterey...you should come up and shoot a video here!

[@surffishinginsocal]

I’m working on it. I want to eventually do all of so cal but Monterey will be included because I know it’s a popular fishery for sure

[@ryderreptile]

Nice video!

[@surffishinginsocal]

Appreciate it man!

[@agaox-in9vt]

Thanks

[@nickcarlson5323]

Do you ever keep sand crabs for several days or do you always catch them the day of? Could you potentially take some and freeze them and use them a different day? Also I’m brand new to San Diego and have already had success fishing the surf thanks to your website/videos and information. Thanks so much for all the good help on spots, species, and regulations.

[@surffishinginsocal]

Awesome to hear you’re doing well out there! Really appreciate you showing your thanks. For the sand crabs, I always get them the day of. I prefer fresh crabs but I have taken some home to freeze and bring to a later session. They work, but with the few times I’ve done it, they don’t seem to work AS WELL. But… could have been slower bites in general. Bottom line, they work fresh and frozen, but if they’re easy to find then I prefer to just get them fresh.

[@nickcarlson5323]

@@surffishinginsocal can you find sand crabs at every beach then?

[@surffishinginsocal]

@@nickcarlson5323 for the most part. But depending on surf, water temp and a few other things (with the exception of a few beaches simply holding fewer crabs), some beaches will hold more than others.

[@thatonebeone]

nice tip.. whats the limit sizes on the surf perches ? i think there's like 2 or 3 different types of perch ... the red tail ones have to be like 10+ inches ?

[@surffishinginsocal]

I’m not sure about the red tail but it’s a 10 bag limit per species for no mora than 20 total…. I’d say they aren’t worth it in general though. Bigger and more tasty fish out there that you only need to keep one of

[@iamalemontree]

Great video!! Do ya think we can freeze in the freezer for future fishing ?

[@surffishinginsocal]

I have done it and it works well enough. Fresh is always a little better though.

[@iamalemontree]

@@surffishinginsocal thanks!! What size is your hook in this video ?

[@surffishinginsocal]

@@iamalemontree #2 mosquito hook I believe

[@iamalemontree]

@@surffishinginsocal thanks much! I saw a lot of KZbinr use bait holder hook, is there any reason ya use mosquito hook?

[@hamez2517]

is it possible to find them later in the year ? like december

[@surffishinginsocal]

It’s definitely possible. But much more difficult and unlikely than sunmer

[@xochilthvasquez362]

What about ghost shrimp?

[@surffishinginsocal]

Those work too. Little less convenient but a great option if your willing to take the time.

[@xochilthvasquez362]

@@surffishinginsocal how so?,& I mean how can you read the sand for ghost shrimp? What are other particular tips you have for them ?

[@surffishinginsocal]

@@xochilthvasquez362 ghost shrimp are typically not found in the sand along beaches. They’re found at low tide in the muddy flats of bays and estuaries. So you’d have to drive to the bay, pump your ghost shrimp where you see bubbling holes, and then drive to the beach and use them for bait.

[@werftv4580]

forget tide.. target crabs where there is less sand.. straight money.. lol

[@surffishinginsocal]

Interesting concept. Makes sense haha

[@thefishboneexperience7697]

Sand fleas