How To Rig Fiddler Crabs For Redfish & Sheepshead
- By: Richard Thomas
- on
What terminal tackle and gear do you need to properly set up a fiddler crab rig for sheepshead and redfish?
Are there specific ways to rig fiddler crabs on hooks and jigheads?
If you want to catch more fish using fiddler crabs, then check this out!
Learn more below!!
Best Ways To Rig Fiddler Crabs
Fiddler crabs are an excellent bait for catching sheepshead as well as redfish and black drum cruising the bottom of flats.
To begin, you need the right terminal tackle to set up the rig.
Either Mission Fishin’ jigheads or Bottom Sweeper jigheads will work best because of their design.
They are made to have a smooth bottom with the eye of the jighead placed on top of the weight.
Another option is to use an octopus-style hook with a small pinch weight attached above it.
Gamakatsu octopus hooks size #2 or #1 work well but keep in mind that the #1 hook is a thinner wire hook and on larger sheepshead and drum, you could risk bending the hook.
This setup is also great if you are fishing in clear water or you are struggling to trigger any strikes.
Moreover, for these kinds of rigs, fluorocarbon leader is a good choice.
Fluorocarbon is a bit stiffer than monofilament leader and it tends to keep the hook straightened out and untangled.
In terms of line test, there is no need to go any higher than 20 lb leader for this rig.
Top 2 Ways To Rig Fiddler Crabs
The first way to rig a fiddler crab is through the backside of the crab and out the front.
First, turn the crab over and look for the small section at the bottom of its body.
Be sure not to insert the hook any higher than this lower section because you could possibly kill the crab and eliminate the natural life to it when you cast it out.
Now, insert the hook halfway between the end of the crab and its midsection and pull through the front.
You want to make sure the crab is facing away from your jighead or weight.
This way the crab appears more natural and has more range of motion.
If you are using the single Gamakatsu hook and split-shot weight method, then you can insert the hook similarly but closer to the bottom of the crab while barely coming out through the front.
This provides a stealthier presentation on the lighter hooks.
The second way to rig fiddler crabs on hooks is to go through the side of the crab and out through the back.
If you want, you can cut off one of the small legs on the side and use that as a guide to slide the hook through and out the back.
When inserting the hook, insert the point right above a leg of the crab and then pull it out the back.
This method does leave the crab vulnerable to falling off the hook but it reduces the amount of the hook that’s in the crab.
If you want a more finesse type of presentation, then try this out next time you use fiddler crabs.
Best Ways To Rig Fiddler Crabs [VIDEO]
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Featured Equipment:
- Berkley Vanish 17lb Fluorocarbon
- Gremlin split-shots
- #2 Gamakatsu Octopus hook
- Bottom Sweeper Jig
- Mission Fishin’ Jig
Conclusion
Fiddler crabs are an excellent bait for targeting sheepshead in addition to redfish and black drum.
Be sure to keep in mind where you are fishing and what structure is nearby when selecting the terminal tackle for your rig setup.
Remember to try both methods of hooking the fiddler crabs to determine which way will work that given day!!
Do you have any more questions on how to rig fiddler crabs for redfish and sheepshead?
Let me know down in the comments!
And if you know someone who wants to learn more about how to rig fiddler crabs for redfish and sheepshead, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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the demonstration was at the top of the visual field, hard to see
I clicked to full screen, able to see better.