Large, spiny, and undeniably alien in appearance, the spider crab—is a bottom-dwelling nuisance for many anglers. Known for shredding snoods and stripping hooks clean, these crabs can be a real frustration.
Like their smaller shore crab cousins, spider crabs must shed their shells in order to grow. During this brief moulting stage, they become highly prized bait. On the south coast, when spider crabs peel, they often outperform regular peeler crabs for species such as smoothhounds and, occasionally, bass.
As with all baits, success depends on timing and location. Use peeler spiders in the right place at the right moment, and the rewards can be spectacular.

Soft Crabs
Once shed, spider crabs quickly become “softies,” sometimes within just two hours. These make excellent bait but must be used fresh, as they don’t freeze well due to their high water content.
Some anglers encourage moulting in tanks by aerating seawater, but it’s a delicate process—easy to get wrong and risk either killing the crabs or forcing them to shed too quickly.
During the summer, trawlers and potters often haul in huge numbers of spider crabs. If you know any commercial fishermen, it’s worth asking—they may be willing to sell them cheaply, even if they don’t market them commercially.

Preparing Spider Crab Bait
Start by removing the legs and peeling the shell. Cut the crab into halves or quarters depending on bait size. Match hook size to your bait—I typically use Sakuma Manta Extra hooks in sizes 2/0 or 3/0 when targeting smoothhounds or bass.
Thread the hook through the bait, then bind it lightly with elastic, making sure the hook point is not obscured. Poor presentation only leads to missed takes. Properly prepared, spider crab baits release a strong scent trail that fish find irresistible.
The legs are also valuable bait. Peel back the shell, twist the joints, and pull out the meat. Use several legs together for larger species, or single legs for smaller fish like dogfish, pout, or dabs. Don’t throw the legs away; they make excellent tipping-off bait or can be fished two or three at a time on a hook.
While spider crab baits work best during the summer season, some boat anglers keep a supply frozen for targeting winter cod.