iank wrote:I've only got a small shrimp net but I've never had hermit crabs in any numbers while shrimping locally Ken, I did find a couple in whelk shells washed up while I was out getting some worm this morning so they are there but not enough to be a regular scource of bait for me and I'm too stingy to buy them.
just to follow up your story I know a fella that gets and processes crabs up on the Llyn. When he's doing dressed crabs he doesn't use the bodies or the bottom leg sections, these all go as bait to the lads who put out the whelk pots.
I have wondered for a couple of years about getting enough crabs off him to have a go at cart with the meat from the shell and then eat the claws, legs etc. But am not convinced enough to go to the trouble even though they use it with success up in Yorkshire and as you say, I'd prefer a good stock of peelers. I have seen odd people use it on the boat but I can't say it's been as successful as the usual lug and squid. I guess it's one of those, if enough people use it then it will catch and then more people will use it etc.
When you say he doesn't use the bodies do you mean he does't use the brown meat found inside ?