Blue crabs invade the shallows across much of the SA coast from spring to autumn, where they can be raked while wading.

All you need is a crab rake and a tub, a boots that won’t get sucked off in the sand and mud.

You’ll be working hard out in the sun so be sure to take extra drinking water and sun protection.

Tough jeans or overalls are recommended to minimise scratches and cuts.

Don’t go crabbing in bare feet as there are razor-sharp shellfish, rocks, spined fish, stingrays and even blue-ringed octopus to contend with.

Prime spots include tidal flats between St Kilda and Port Parham, north of Adelaide, Thompson Beach … or almost anywhere there are tidal shallows and a combination of sand and weed.

Most crabbers go at low tide, then follow the incoming tide towards shore.

Water less than knee deep is enough.

Blue swimmer crabs grab the rake when disturbed and can usually be caught by just flipping the rake over.

You will need a crab measure, to ensure your catch is legal, and bag limits apply.

Blue crabs can be caught off most jetties in South Australia’s two gulfs and in the larger sheltered bays by using baited drop nets.

There is also a species of sand crab that occurs in big numbers at times near Adelaide, it is a light-brown colour with two dark spots on its back. The sand crab is tasty, but not as good as the famous blue swimmer crab.

Some external videos are shown below, demonstrating how crab raking is done.

Meanwhile, another similar popular SA pastime in the shallows is garfish dabbing, which is scooping fish under a spotlight.

SA fishing regulations
SA marine parks

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Three gold-tagged fish, each worth $10,000, have been caught at Bemm River, 425km east of Melbourne.

The lucrative Victorian Golden Tag fishing competition kicked off on March 1 to help fire-affected communities benefit from fishing tourism in Victoria’s East Gippsland and north-east Victoria.

The first 10 fish caught carry a $10,000 prize, and the 990 others are worth $2000 each.

More than $2 million is up for grabs, with the event running for 12 months until February 28, 2021.

The tagged fish include black bream, dusky flathead and spotted whiting in East Gippsland, and murray cod, brown trout and rainbow trout in the northeast.

Towns including Mallacoota, Cann River, Bemm River, Orbost, Marlo, Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers, Omeo, Dartmouth, Mitta Mitta, Corryong, Tallangatta and Bright are the focus of the campaign.

For more information the official website is here.

A catch report here.

Redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus) are a crayfish found most commonly in Australia’s warmer freshwater impoundments.

Redclaw are native to North Queensland, the Northern Territory and Papua New Guinea, but have been translocated to all Australian states except Tasmania, and some overseas locations.

They are found in northern Western Australia around Kununurra.

Illegal stocking has spread them well outside their natural range.

They were found in NSW’s Emigrant Creek Dam in 2004 and Lake Ainsworth in 2011, and probably now exist widely in the NSW northern rivers region, with redclaw aquaculture facilities operating in Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Kempsey Shire, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Camden.

Redclaw tolerate a wide temperature range, low oxygen levels and crowded conditions.

As well as lakes and ponds, redclaw live happily in creeks, rock pools and fast-flowing rivers.

Queensland dams are among the most productive redclaw locations.

Redclaw are known for their large size (to 600g) and good flavour.

They also lack dam-destroying burrowing behaviour, unlike the southern yabbie (Cherax destructor).

Redclaw are omnivorous, eating meat and plants.

Their numbers fluctuate from season to season, sometimes varying from super-abundant to hard pickings.

For best results, ask about redclaw stocks at a given location before making a trip.

Usually worthwhile numbers of redclaw are easy to find.

They can readily be caught in baited traps. Bait them with chicken pellets (in a hessian pouch), chicken frames or pieces, fruit, grated carrot, dog biscuits, fish flesh, red meat or even cheese.

Trapping is far more successful at night.

If trapping in daylight you may catch more in overcast conditions in deeper water near submerged timber, but you will do better in daylight if the water is discoloured.

A boat gives access to more likely places to drop traps, but redclaw can be trapped from shore in some locations.

Grounds with submerged timber and weedbeds are always good places to try.

Strict regulations apply to the type of gear used, partly to prevent animals such as turtles drowning in crayfish traps.

Rules differ in each state.

Ebay sellers have a variety of freshwater crayfish and shrimp traps, be sure to buy one that complies with your local regulations.

Eating redclaw

Redclaw crayfish can be boiled or grilled immediately after being caught, but some folk like to let them purge in a bin of clean water first.

The water will gradually turn brown as purging occurs.

Redclaw can be cooked and eaten many ways.

Boiling in salted water, followed by chilling, is the traditional method, but grilling also works.

The tail can be peeled by cutting down the middle of the underside with a knife and splitting it in two.

The meat can be eaten on its own or in salads, or in sandwiches with crisp lettuce and mayo.

Cocktail sauce is traditionally used as a dipping sauce, but other sauces can make a good accompaniment.

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