Overview
Mud crabs live in mangrove creeks and drains, moving with the tide to feed and retreating into burrows and root systems on the low.
Freshwater flow after rain triggers movement, which is why the weeks after a wet-season downpour produce the best hauls.
Pot placement beats pot quantity: a pot in a drain mouth outfishes five on open mud flats.
Where to find them
- ▸Mangrove drain mouths and creek junctions.
- ▸Undercut banks with deep root systems.
- ▸Soft mud flats adjacent to deeper channels.
Tackle
- ▸Gear: collapsible pots or dillies with heavy-duty mesh.
- ▸Bait: fish frames, mullet heads or chicken carcass secured firmly.
- ▸Accessories: crab hook, thick gloves and rubber ties for claws.
Tips from the water
- ▸Tag and float every pot exactly as your state requires.
- ▸Return all females and undersized crabs immediately and gently.
- ▸Never wade the bank edges in croc country — work from the boat.
Regulations
Taking female crabs is illegal everywhere in Australia. Minimum sizes, pot numbers and tagging requirements are strictly enforced.