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?