Peeler crab

A crab whose shell has gone soft because it is moulting. Shore anglers peel the old shell off and bind the body on a hook. It is a seasonal bait — not a year-round default — and it is often the first choice for bass and smoothhounds when it is actually available.

Ranked from the species list. Commonly used — not a guarantee of catching.

• Ballan wrasseStrong target
• BassStrong target
• Starry smoothhoundStrong target
• Thornback rayStrong target
• CodGood target
• Corkwing wrasseGood target
• FlounderGood target
• PlaiceGood target
• Small-eyed rayGood target
• Spotted rayGood target
• Black breamPossible target
• Blonde rayPossible target
• DabPossible target
• Dover solePossible target
• Thick-lipped grey mulletPossible target
• Thin-lipped grey mulletPossible target

1. 1Peel the old shell. Leave a little of the catch-legs if you want extra hold.
2. 2Use a hook size that matches the crab, often a Pennel of two hooks.
3. 3Bind with bait elastic so the cast does not tear it off.
4. 4Half a crab for wrasse; a whole for a hound or a decent bass.
5. 5Keep the points clear of the elastic.