20 
FOREST AND STREAM 
January, 1919 
i 
J 
THE FIRST REQUISITE OF THE ANGLER 
SOME BAITS ARE SO USEFUL AND OTHERS SO INDISPENSABLE THAT A 
COMPREHENSIVE LIST IS OF SERVICE TO THE SALT WATER ENTHUSIAST 
By LEONARD HULIT, Associate Editor of FOREST AND STREAM 
O NE of the prime requirements of 
the angler at all times is bait. 
This applies as well to the fresh 
water disciple as to his more heavily 
tackle-burdened brother, the enthusiastic 
angler of the surf and shore. 
In the latter sport there are so many 
baits which are useful, and some at times 
so indispensable, that a list with com- 
ment thereon may be of service to the 
novice. It is well to remember in all 
cases the nearer, to natural conditions 
the lure can be presented the greater 
the chances of success. There are some 
varieties of bait which cannot be used 
in its whole form, and must be cut in 
pieces, yet there are some ways better 
than others even in this service. 
The Shedder Crab 
F irst in importance as a bait in salt 
water fishing is the shedder crab. 
There is not a fish native to our wa- 
ters or which comes to them, which will 
not take at times take this bait. So well 
is this fact known that many men of ex- 
perience will not go out on a trip with- 
out a supply of this commodity on hand. 
Even when other baits seem to be more 
desirable, such as the quest of the blue- 
fish when mullet or menhaden are ordi- 
narily the killing proposition, still as a 
reserve in emergency, the shedder is 
somewhere in the “kit.” To the experi- 
enced this bait needs no description nor 
any directions as to how it should be pre- 
pared. There are many however who 
know little or nothing of where they may 
be procured or how to prepare them for 
the hook. They can usually be purchased 
at the better bait supply stores in all 
cities near the coast and ordinarily are 
sold for about one dollar per dozen. Fre- 
quently, if the fisherman is near the soft 
crab gatherers who ply their work in all 
the shallow waters of the rivers and 
bays, the shedder may generally be had 
from them at about one-half the for- 
mer price. Still the chances of this are 
so uncertain and the endeavor ordinarily 
so great that it is more satisfactory to 
get them at the store where the quality 
can generally be depended on; for there 
are many tricks in this trade, and the 
novice may walk away from the un- 
scrupulous tradesman’s stall with a box 
of fine looking crabs only to find when 
endeavoring to use them that there is 
not a genuine shedder in the lot. If 
the purchaser has any doubt as to what 
he may get, he can easily test for him- 
self the condition of the crab by taking 
the extreme point of the shell between 
the thumb and forefinger and, if under 
a gentle pressure of the finger on the 
under shell it gives way, the crab is in 
good condition, and may safely be taken. 
This is a never failing test, and one 
which is always used by the man of ex- 
perience. If on the other hand the shell 
will not readily break through by gentle 
pressure, it is useless, and will be found 
impossible as a bait. 
The term shedder is aptly applied, and 
when properly handled the entire shell 
can be removed as easily as the shell 
from a hard-boiled egg, leaving the body 
of the crab intact, a good solid bait, to 
be cut in sections as will appear later 
on. In preparing them care must always 
be exercised or the hands will suffer from 
the nipper claws which are ever ready 
for business, and a good healthy crab 
can inflict a wound which is not to be 
despised. The proper way is to take 
them up in the left hand from the back 
and by a quick motion gather in the 
right hand one of the nipper claws and 
with the same motion remove the claw, 
which will always come loose with a 
smart wrench; the other claw can be re- 
moved in the same manner, after which 
the crab is harmless and can be handled 
with impunity. Then with handle of a 
knife or a pair of shears — the latter 
should be always a part of every “kit” 
— tap the under shell smartly until it 
cracks much the same as an egg shell 
into small parts which can be removed; 
then turn the crab over, going through 
the same detail with the top shell until 
all is removed. The claws which have 
been previously removed can be cleaned 
in the same way and they always are 
an important part if of good size. When 
baiting for striped bass or channel bass 
half of the crab should always be used. 
First, string the claw portion on the hook 
much the same as a worm, passing it up 
beyond the hook and onto the'shell. As 
large hooks are always used for these 
fish such a portion will be found not 
too large and it makes a most attrac- 
tive portion. If the side fins or feelers, 
as they are termed, are left on, so much 
the better, as they add to the attraction 
of the bait. In fishing for weakfish, 
kingfish or croakers, as well as many 
other fish, the crab can be cut in much 
smaller portions and serve equally well. 
Always remember to cut the meat cross- 
wise of the body as this is the direction 
of the grain or strands of the flesh and 
it will stay on the hook much better 
than if cut in the opposite direction. 
There is on the side of the crab opposite 
from the mouth, under the shell, a dark 
flap-like portion known as the “apron.” 
This should always be retained, and when 
placing the crab on the hook the point 
should be passed through this portion, 
as it is very tough and causes the bait 
to hang to the hook well. And — as a 
warning — never accept from a dealer a 
dead crab. If he tells you they are just 
as good as the live ones, he is not honest 
and will deceive you in other matters as 
well. The only crab which is a “good 
crab” is the one which peels readily, and 
the one you kill yourself when ready 
for use. When out fishing always keep 
the grass ^hich is on the crabs well 
moistened, not soaking wet, as this last 
condition has a tendency to smother them. 
Upon your return put them at once in 
the bottom of an ice box or other very 
cool place, and always where it is dark. 
By following these directions crabs can 
be kept several days in good shape. 
Bloodworm or Whiteworm 
N ext in importance to the crab in 
the angler’s bait category is the 
bloodworm or whiteworm, as it is 
frequently called — why the latter name 
is difficult to understand, as it in no way 
describes the subject. On the other hand 
the name bloodworm is quite comprehen- 
sive as the worm is at all time congested 
with blood and is never white. 
This worm, as well as the crab, may 
be had at all bait stores and is a special 
favorite with many fishermen at all sea- 
sons. It is, however, in great demand 
during the early season for use around 
the inlets in bass fishing, as they appar- 
ently feed much on this during the early 
spring, and also the autumn months. As 
a trolling bait it is paramount; used in 
connection with a spinner it is the most 
deadly of all lures to the striped bass. 
This applies of course to boat work, troll- 
ing around points where rocks and wrecks 
are to be found in inland waters, with 
ends of the worms hanging free from the 
hook and just lead enough to keep the 
spinner and worm well down in the wa- 
ter. If bass are to be had this method 
will prove most availing. The king- 
fish also take this bait greedily, and at 
times no other bait will be noticed by 
them. While at times weakfish will con- 
descend to come to this offering, still it 
