Hermit Crab article
Hermit crabs are an under-rated and an under used sea fishing bait that can be very productive on it's day. A large number of species can be caught when using this excellent bait, for example Dogfish, Huss, Plaice, Flounders and it is also a widely used bait for Smoothhound. Hermit crabs aren't easy to collect but if you can find them and use them fresh they can be an absolute top bait.
They can be collected by lowering a drop net or crab pot/trap (you can find them on Ebay), from the sides of piers, jetties or rock ledges. If you know or can get contact details of a friendly crab fisherman, he might be able to supply you as hermits are a common by-catch in crab and lobster pots. Hermit crabs tend to like the same sort of terrain as lobsters so many are pulled up in the crab / lobster pots.
You can also find them around the low water mark near rock scaurs, especially after a heavy storm which has ripped up the sea bed. Just walk the low tide mark and look out for any whelk or similar sized shell. This is probably the easiest way to collect them but you need to know that they do actually reside in your local area. Ask some of the local boat fishermen and tell them what you are looking for and if hermit crabs do indeed get washed up after a storm in your area. You may find like we did many years ago that one might just offer to supply you with as many as you want. We had a constant supply of them for many a year, off a guy who we just asked for advice, sadly he passed way but we often see his wife when we are on the beach digging. That's how we found out the local name in our area for hermit crab was Tell Pie - I know, don't ask.
You can also find them in the larger rock pools, don't just go barging in though, you will disturb the water and then find it hard to see anything. Have a look first, note where abouts you can maybe see a few hermits and then slowly enter the water, trying not to disturb the bottom too much and making the water look like soup so you can't see what your doing. Also remebering to keep a look out for any peeler crabs as well!....
