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Here’s what we got for you today:

• The straight facts on how to catch crab with a snare 🦀

• Last year somebody got paid $107,800 for reeling in Northern Pikeminnow 🤑

• Why Bluefin Tuna are sold for millions of dollars 🍣

Teach Me How To Crab Snare

Little did you know, your traditional saltwater rod and reel setup can also be used to catch crab. A technique known as crab snaring, allows anglers to catch crab without all the bells and whistles of a traditional crab cage set up.

For the price of a meal at McDonald’s, you can secure a crab snare - a portable and castable device that can be secured directly to your rod and reel setup.

The Gear

Before embarking on your crabbing adventure, it's essential to gear up appropriately. Equip yourself with a sturdy 10 ft. + rod and a heavy duty saltwater reel combo. With a 20-30 lb. test line, you will be well-prepared to reel in those hefty crabs.

For the snare itself, you will find different options available at your local sports store and online. Whatever you decide to go with, just be sure to load it up with an enticing array of bait, anything from fish heads to squid, to attract those hungry crustaceans.

Pro Tip - Zip tie a 3 oz. weight to your snare to ensure it has enough weight to hit the seafloor.

The Technique

Crab snaring requires a slightly different approach than traditional fishing. Secure your bait-laden snare to your line via a barrel swivel, cast it into the depths, and wait patiently for your catch. Remember to keep your line taut to prevent any crafty crabs from slipping away.

At the 15 minute mark reel in (keep your rod tip high and reel with consistent pressure). If you’re lucky, you’ll see a crab caught up in the loops of your snare.

The Tides

Timing is everything in the world of crabbing. Aim to arrive at least two hours before a +1.0 low tide for the best results, but be wary of rough waves that could disrupt your snare. And always double-check the regulations for your chosen crabbing spot to avoid any unintended run-ins with the law.

In summary:

• Crab snaring is an alternative technique to traditional crab cage setups, suitable for coastal fishermen.

• A crab snare is a portable and castable device that can be attached directly to a rod and reel setup.

• To gear up, anglers should equip themselves with a sturdy rod and reel combo, load the snare and bait, and secure it with a 3 oz. weight. Timing is crucial, with the best results achieved two hours before a +1.0 low tide.

With a bit of preparation and a dash of patience, you might just reel in a feast fit for kings.

🎣 IN THE FIELD

• Washington State has a program that pays anglers for catching invasive species of fish on the Columbia River. An angler last year made $107,800. Sign us up.

• Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida announced a record 103 day Gulf Red Snapper season. We consider this a big win for DeSantis after a rough year.

• If you are looking for quality crab snares, check out these at Pitbull Tackle. At the time of this posting they are $12.99 which is a helluva deal.

• It turns out there is a species of fish in Australia and New Zealand known as Australian Salmon (scientific name: Arripis trutta). Funny thing is they are completely unrelated to Pacific Northwest and Atlantic Salmon. Either way, my guy Salty Fishos absolutely slayed them in this video.

AI CORNER

Every week we generate outrageous fishing related AI images. Check these out:

CHEF’S KISS

🐟🍽️ How to fillet a trout in ~ 5 minutes.

💰 Ever wonder why Bluefin Tuna are so expensive? Business Insider does a deep dive here. It has been documented that a Bluefin Tuna once sold for $1.8 million, which is significantly more than most homes nowadays.

🦀 If you are lucky enough to snare a crab this week, check out this seafood crab boil recipe.