Tuna Crabs are Back

[rossman]

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

I can't remember a day otw in the last couple of years that I have not either seen, video'd or metered them. Sometimes on the surface, and sometimes on the bottom. And they can be stratified at any depth of the water column. Sometimes they are spread thru the entire water column.

I'm seeing the same thing down here in Mexico for the past couple years. What I am noticing is that when they are stratified at some point mid column, you can look for subtle changes in the stratification of the bait that would indicate some predator fish in the mix. The line of crabs could suddenly get denser, or form bulge, or you will see some breaks in an otherwise steady line of bait. I also feel I have had more success not trying to match the hatch. In the case of Yellowtail, I don't believe these red crab are their favorite food and I have more success ripping something sardine or mackerel colored through them to trigger a strike.

[katchfish]

[Harry Hill]

I think I read the other day that these pelagic crab are what they call languistino lobster? Is that right?

[King Saba]

Now the real question is, can you eat them? It seems like that question always comes up at some point.

[Harry Hill]

if they are the ones they sell as languistino lobster you can. I wonder if Yanni has any thoughts on this. They do look like a little lobster

[Mahigeer]

The do seem more like lobsters, yet are called crabs!