Sand Fleas / Mole Crabs

[Arbutis]

I'm pretty sure that mole crabs are not, in fact, 'sand fleas' but there are many websites and videos that claim them to be one in the same. Except if you watch "Deadliest Catch" where the actual sand fleas attack the bait in their traps and turn it into a skeleton. In either case, I am talking about those little sand diggers in the wash (I used to call them sand crabs as a kid). For the sake of this discussion we will call them Mole Crabs.

So we have plenty of these mole crabs here in the NJ shore wash zone and this year I was thinking about actually using them for something. I was drawn to this idea after catching my one and only weakfish in the surf last year and identifying a few mole crabs in his belly that he had for his last supper.

My question: who has experience using these little buggers for bait?

I have been YouTubing the subject and have noticed people using them in the south as bait for Pompano and for 'sea perch' - which look an awful lot like the 'kingfish' we see here in the surf.

I thought that they might be GREAT bait for blackfish (since green crabs are used most often). Another crunchy critter like the mole crab should work well for blackfish.

Second - has anyone eaten these sea bugs? Why not, right? Looks like you can saute them up in some garlic and butter just like a softshell crab. Or perhaps breaded/battered and fried like popcorn shrimp? I would bet that they are probably tasty little morsels. Some thought lobsters were annoying sea bugs once - and now they are desirable. Hmmm.

Well - tell me your take on these little critters. Bait? or Good Eats? Both? or just leave them alone?

[Life's A Beach]

black fish bait


better south of barnegate inlet (my experience)

[bulletbob]

Well I wouldn't eat one,,, its all shell ,legs and innards,, However, blackfish certainly like them.. I used to dig them up for bait when I lived in NJ.. The price is right on them, thats for sure.. In 20 minutes with a pitchfork at low time, you can get enough bait to fish all day... LOTS of fish eat them including stripers , fluke and weaks...

http://www.daybreakfishing.com/bait/mole-crabs.html


bob

[NJ Dave]

Sheeps head candy in florida.

[jmurr711]

I have caught togs,kingfish,triggerfish,weakfish,stripers,sea bass,porgies,spots,croakers, rays,skates,sea robins,fluke all on sand fleas but they are tough to keep on a hook and work better inshore and like that old timer said south of barney just like blue crabs. as far as eating em I never have nor ahve i heard of them being eaten, that said I certainly would try them just theres not alot there but if ya wanna invite me over to be the guinea pig i am game

[tjd24]

Fluke in the wash love 'em.

[Leif]

Fry "em up!!!

http://hungrynative.com/?p=4846

[Jay]

I say, let's have a "Mole Fry" I'll bring the beers! LOL!!! :D

[jmurr711]

Jay you mean like actual moles or the sand fleas either way i am in

[Leif]

From the net.....


Karen - Hi! I saw this done on bizzare foods phuket thailand. I am thai as well and had never encountered this crustacean/ parasite/ flea….whatever this thing may be…i live in northern california and decided to harvest some from halfmoon bay and see what this hype is about. Harvesting was simple.. I harvest about 50+ crabs.. All female including egg sack. I harvested the second week of august (i guess thats when all crabs lay their eggs) they were sooooo cuuuute….but I knew that they had met their maker..:( feelings aside…cleaning was a bit tedious. I didnt remove anything from the crab. Just 2-3 soak in cold water to remove the sand. Towel dried well..dusted with flour seasoned in garlic salt. Deep fried at 375° for about 5 mins or until they float.

Result: best damn crustacean I have ever had!! The most cleanest taste. Its like popcorn shrimp/crab/and crawfish in one!! Minus the poop and brain matter!! If you have never tried these lil guys…i highly recommend it..this will be the next thing sold at our local fish market!! Gaurantees!

[NoWorries]

I have caught togs,kingfish,triggerfish,weakfish,stripers,sea bass,porgies,spots,croakers, rays,skates,sea robins,fluke all on sand fleas but they are tough to keep on a hook and work better inshore and like that old timer said south of barney just like blue crabs. as far as eating em I never have nor ahve i heard of them being eaten, that said I certainly would try them just theres not alot there but if ya wanna invite me over to be the guinea pig i am game
:D Used to use em in the surf and caught some nice tog in the 80's and stripers too. They work in the canal too and on the jetties too ! These days it's easier to get Assians or greenies and all kinds of other crabs with a trap or 2 for tog fishing. Calicos and blue crabs will do it here too ! Soft/sheddar calicos was and is a top surf bass bait if you wanna do the work :D

[Papasown]

Hey No Worries, Growing up as a kid on LBI in the 1940's and 50's I would always dig them up to use for bait, cause I didn't have much to buy worms. I wouldn't consider eating them to this day, but enjoy yourself. I would put them on a sharp hook and throw them next to the rocks on a jetty/groin. Hang on..I caught my biggest blackfish to date in the surf! The man at the bait shop was impressed, but told me to keep it to myself....now I understand that he was selling bait.
When we go to Hatteras, my grandsons and I always take an early day trip to the Frisco pier to dig up as many sand crabs as we can...then we take them to our special spots to catch up Sheepsheads.....Life is good. Then we go clamming on the flats....Life gets better............Sheepsheads and Clams, Clams on the 1/2 shell, clam chowder, and the biggest ones go with us to the wreck 1/2 way to the canyon.... things get better......I am a lucky guy. Catch ém up,,,,Papa

[NoWorries]

Hey No Worries, Growing up as a kid on LBI in the 1940's and 50's I would always dig them up to use for bait, cause I didn't have much to buy worms. I wouldn't consider eating them to this day, but enjoy yourself. I would put them on a sharp hook and throw them next to the rocks on a jetty/groin. Hang on..I caught my biggest blackfish to date in the surf! The man at the bait shop was impressed, but told me to keep it to myself....now I understand that he was selling bait.
When we go to Hatteras, my grandsons and I always take an early day trip to the Frisco pier to dig up as many sand crabs as we can...then we take them to our special spots to catch up Sheepsheads.....Life is good. Then we go clamming on the flats....Life gets better............Sheepsheads and Clams, Clams on the 1/2 shell, clam chowder, and the biggest ones go with us to the wreck 1/2 way to the canyon.... things get better......I am a lucky guy. Catch ém up,,,,Papa
Good stuff Papa :D