Spider Crabs

[Force Eleven]

Can anyone tell me the best place to find a spider crab in the rockpools. Is there a sort of specific place where they can be found (ie amongst the weeds etc)

We are having trouble finding lobsters as well, apart from one chance encounter, we haven't had much luck.

Thanks,

F11

[Yashca]

Well Pablo (F11) has had one chance encounter. I myself have had three so I'm winning.

[Force Eleven]

You'll stop people replying to us Pedro!

Is there some sort of bait that can lure lobsters out of their crevices?

Thanks,

F11

[SteveSmith]

Probably the best chance of finding young lobsters is to get as far out as possible at extreme low tide as I've not often seen them in the normal intertidal area. Even then you need a lot of luck to find them.

as for bait, the smelliest fish carcass you can get would probably be best! ask any lobster potter, the smellier the better!

what kind of spider crabs you after? small species like Macropodia an be found amongst seaweeds or hydroids but their often covered in sponges etc. and don't move very quickly which can make them very difficult to spot.

[Force Eleven]

Thanks for replying Steve

We are building a species list of all the life we see in Scarborough, and we haven't come across any type of spider crab yet, but I'll take your advice on board and look carefully through weeds etc

I'll try that smelly fish bait idea too!

F11

[Geoff F]

Low spring tides during the warmer months are best. An old trick for finding crabs and lobsters amongst the rocks and weed was to tie a length of brightly coloured wool to a fish head and throw it in the sea at suitable place as the tide came in; then look for a trail of wool as the tide ebbed. The problem with this method is that there is a risk of seabirds getting tangled with the wool.

[Marineboy]

During the summer months we regularly find various small long legged spider crabs hiding in the weed in rock pools in the south west - but do look carefully as they are difficult to see as they cover themselves with bits of weed.
A bigger species, Hyas ananeus has eluded me except for juvenile specimens on the N.Irish coast. But while snorkelling or diving even along the shore line at low water, the big Maja squinado is very numerous - I have seen breeding populations of these 2 or 3 crabs deep covering huge areas of seabed at only 5 metres - surprisingly though, all were soft shelled, females and males.
As to lobsters - far from a rockpooling nubie I have yet to find a juvenile lobster, (not squat lobsters). Best place I have come across for seeing large lobsters though has to be Portland. Good place for John Dory too.

[Force Eleven]

Thankyou for your replies, much appreciated

F11