I posted a few days ago asking for a design for making a sand crab catching device or a place to buy one, but got no replies. I can't believe that someone doesn't know about those things used in the surf to catch sand crabs. Anything is better than digging them by hand.
Thanks!!

this might help u out.
http://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/pfmb.mv?forum=&module=view&viewid=121863&mode=all&row=251

mike

Hey papastu!!!! I have the same exact type that my grandfather used 40 yrs ago, nothing has changed but the price of buying it. And for your info I got it at Kmart for around 20 bucks!!! Its the galvanized 1/4 inch mesh half cyclinder shape with the long 1/2 inch "U" shaped tube handle. From what I remember its considered seasonal so they may still have some. But whats wrong with using a shovel and throwing the contents across the sand and racing to pick them up?? I consider that fun!!! :-) Anyways good luck papa!!!

My friend got a black wire "minnow trap" from a tackle shop for only like $15. Its completely open on one end, he removed the hinged "door". On the other end, it has a conical opening that I guess the minnows are supposed to swim into.

Don't know how else to explain it, but look for something like a minnow trap, because the holes are just small enough to keep the bigger sand crabs inside when you sift the sand out. The smallest sand crabs fall right out so that you don't have to worry about them. My $0.02.

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **

usually it doenst take me more than 5 minutes to find about 10 crabs...i put them all in a little container attached to my waist. I cant really imagine what a trap looks like. the only thing i could think of would be a strainer{sic?} type thing that you could dig in the sand with. That would seem harder and more of a pain than just grabbing them.

Save a wave, Ride a surfer.

Here is an idea for you that I tried once when I forgot my shovel on a recent camping trip. I used my charcoal starter. This was one of the tube shaped charcoal starters with the handle. I placed a screen in the bottom of the starter, just large enough to sift the sand out. One scoop and sift and the crabs were trapped. It worked so well that I leave my shovel home for good.

mak

I bought a plastic collinder from the 99 cent store. It works just fine. Just look for a sand crab bed, as the water receeds, scoop a few handfuls of sand in it, sift and presto! Repeat the process three or four times, fish out the usable bait (softshells of course) and bam...good to go for the rest of the morning (or afternoon).
Kman

Get a bait tank net used for dipping live bait on a private boat. They are about 24 to 30 inches long with a 1/4 inch soft mesh net about 6 x 8 rectangle or 7 inch dia.. Wood or alum handle. About $12 or less. Just scoop the visible areas holding sand crabs--works killer. Stows under your fanny pack strap or in your backpack. Metal scooper traps are old school and awkward.

Big Hammer Swimbaits-Hammerhead Jigheads
www.swimbait.com
Pro-Cure Scents
www.pro-cure.com

I use one very similar to this floating baitwell net (Item: ID-012733) from Cabelas:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0018066012733a&navAction=push&navCount=1&indexId=&podId=0018066&catalogCode=ID&parentId=&parentType=&rid=


Mine came from Wal-mart and is called a "Nature Net". Around $5 and clips to my tackle belt.

BillH

An aluminum collander is cheap and has ridgid enough sides to use for digging. Otherwise, since you're "Papa Stu", tell the kids to diggem, that's what I do.
Tight lines,
Wade