Step 2

USE SCISSOR TIP OR KNIFE TO PEEL BACK THE TRIANGULAR SECTION. ON FEMALE CRABS THIS AREA WILL HAVE A LAYER OF MEAT THAT CAN BE USED AS A BAIT. 

Step 3

HOLDING CRAB IN HAND, BRACE YOUR THUMB AGAINST THAT KNUCKLE AT THE BACK OF THE CRAB. WITH YOUR OTHER HAND, PULL UP ON THE SHELL USING THE POINT, OR PUSH UP ON THE SHELL FROM THE BACK EDGE WHERE IT IS SEPERATING TO PEEL IT AWAY FROM THE NEW CRAB 

Step 4

LIFT POINT FLAPS ON BOTH SIDES TO REMOVE THE LOOSE SECTION OF SHELL UNDERNEATH. (see step 2 diagram) CUT AWAY EACH FLAP AS CLOSE TO CENTER OF CRAB AS POSSIBLE. LARGE FLAPS CAN BE CUT INTO TWO BAITS. IF CRAB HAS TRIANGULAR PIECE OF MEAT, TWO CUTS DIAGONALLY WILL GIVE YOU A NICE PIECE OF BAIT. 2-5 BAITS 

Step 5 

BREAK AWAY CRAB'S JAW PIECES. USING PLIERS, TAP ON UNDERSIDE OF CRAB TO CRACK-UP SHELL. PEEL LIKE A HARD BOILED EGG. LEAVE KNUCKLES INTACT. CUT IN HALF AT CENTER LINE, THEN CUT CLEANLY BETWEEN EACH KNUCKLE. INSERT HOOK THROUGH THE KNUCKLE INTO THE MEAT, THIS WILL HELP KEEP THE BAIT ON THE HOOK. 10 BAITS 

Step 6

HOLDING CLAWS FIRMLY IN PLIERS, TAP PLIER HANDLES AGAINST HARD SURFACE TO CRACK THE SHELL WITHOUT CRUSHING THE CLAWS. PEELED CAREFULLY, THE CLAW CAN REMAIN IN ONE LONG PIECE OF BAIT, OR BE CUT INTO TWO. 2-4 BAITS