How to Use Chicken Necks for Crab Bait

Chicken necks make an ideal bait for recreational crabbers because they are readily available, usually considered scraps, produce a lot of crab, and according to some crabbers are not as likely to be stolen by seals and sea lions as other bait. Chicken necks are also sturdy enough that they usually won't fall apart in the water.

Instructions

1. Get a bunch of chicken necks. You can save chicken necks from your dinner, purchase them in the grocery store, deal with area farmers or visit your local butcher. You can use your chicken necks frozen or raw; the frozen ones may hold together longer but raw will be smellier, which is better.

2. Bait your trap. Depending on the style of trap or line you're using this will mean cutting chicken necks into chunks and impaling them on a hook, snagging chicken necks in a wire trap, or placing them in a mesh net or bag.

3. Consider tying your bait in place with twine, or wire to keep small fish and other creatures from picking at it through the crab trap.

Tips & Warnings

• Chicken necks will keep quite well when frozen. You may find them easier to cut, however, if you let them thaw partway out first.

• Be sure to check fishing and shellfish regulations in your area. You may need a fishing license to catch crabs, and you may be restricted to certain seasons, areas, and quantities of traps.

• Keep your crab catch in a pail of water in the shade and be prepared to cook them soon after catching.