Are you looking for something fun for the kids to get them out and about away from their screens?
Crabbing is an easy way to have fun with the family and introduce children to the wonders of marine ecology. Test their patience with this free activity.
Here’s a to guide on crab fishing in #Carlingford…
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YOU WILL NEED:
-string
-bucket
-small fishing net
-a netted bag like an old washing tablet bag
-some bait (fish and bacon works)
NOW TO GET STARTED:
1. Find a handy rockpool. It needs to be full of sea creatures and safe for you to visit. The pier in Carlingford can usually be a good spot.
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2. Fill the bucket with seaweed and some pebbles – this helps mimic a crab’s natural environment, cover the crabs in moist seaweed and keep the bucket out of direct sunlight.
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3. Put the bait in the small netted bag and tie it to the string. Then simply drop the bait into the water and let it hit the seabed. It’s a good idea to wrap a little bit of the line loosely around your finger so that you can feel the crabs pulling on it.
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4. When you feel the crabs nibble, lift the line out of the water and put the net underneath so that it doesn’t fall back in. Then carefully place the crab in the bucket. Try not to have a gang of more than 10 in each bucket.
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See how many different types of crabs you can get.
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Be careful when handling the crabs – if they pinch it is very hard to make them let go. If you do want to pick them up, make sure you hold the crab with your finger and thumb on either side of the shell, behind the pincers, so that they cannot reach you with them and so you don’t hurt the crab either.
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IMPORTANT:
Once you’ve finished with your crabs, carefully release them back into the sea near the water’s edge.
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Happy fishing ????
