Peeler Crab: The Complete Irish Shore Fishing Guide

Peeler crab on Wicklow beaches

Peeler crab is a shore crab in the process of shedding its old shell to grow, and it is one of the two most effective bass and smoothhound baits on the Wicklow coast, alongside fresh sandeel. During the moulting process, the crab produces powerful chemical attractants that predatory fish can detect from a significant distance. Bass and smoothhound actively hunt peeling crabs. From May through August a fresh peeler, presented correctly, will out-fish frozen and shop-bought baits on most Wicklow beaches : sandeel is the one bait that reliably competes with it, and beats it over clean sand in settled, clear water.

How to identify a peeler crab

Finding a peeler in a bucket of hard crabs is a skill worth learning. Look for these signs:

• 1Peel back a leg joint, if the new soft leg is visible underneath, the crab is a peeler
• 2The back shell lifts away easily when pressed at the edge
• 3The shell looks dull or slightly separating at the edges
• 4A jelly-like layer is visible between old and new shell
• 5The crab moves slowly and is less aggressive than a hard crab

Where to get peeler crab in Wicklow

Peeler crab is available from tackle shops during the main season (May to August) but supply can be inconsistent, always ring ahead to check stock. Plan ahead if you are fishing remote marks with no nearby town.

You can also collect your own peelers from rocky shorelines, under weed and stones at low water from May onwards. Shore crabs congregate in shallow water during the moulting season. Carry them home in a bucket of seawater, but do not store them that way : water in a sealed bucket goes stale and kills them inside a day. Move them to a vented bait box with damp seaweed in the fridge or a cool box and they keep for 2 to 3 days. Wrap individual peelers in damp newspaper if storing overnight.

How to prepare and mount peeler crab

Correct presentation of peeler crab makes the difference between a fish and a missed opportunity. Follow these steps:

Which species does peeler catch?

On Wicklow beaches, fresh peeler crab will catch bass, smoothhound, tope, dogfish, flounder, dab and whiting. It is the primary bait for smoothhound from May to October and one of the two most effective bass baits alongside sandeel. Even species not normally associated with crab will take a well-presented peeler, it is worth having in the bait box for every spring and summer session.

Storing peeler crab

Fresh is always best, peeler crab loses effectiveness quickly once dead. If you have surplus, freeze individual crabs wrapped tightly in clingfilm. Frozen peeler is significantly less effective than fresh but still catches fish. Never refreeze thawed crab. For collecting your own, keep live crabs in a bucket of fresh seawater changed twice daily, or wrap in damp newspaper in a cool box, they will stay alive for 48 hours this way.