Whitby Sea Anglers Association
  • Home
  • Timeline
  • News
    • Committee & Members
    • Courtesy of Whitby Gazette
    • Communications
    • Insurance Certificate
    • Safety
    • WSAA Emblem
  • Reports and Results
  • National Federation Sea Angling
  • AGM 2025
  • Open 2025
  • Bass Fishing
  • Cart
  • Catch Overlay
  • Club Rules
    • Fish Sizes
    • Penn Sea League
    • Code of Conduct for Bempton
  • Diary
  • Knockout Competitions
    • Singles
    • Doubles
  • Lesser Spotted Dogfish
  • Fishing in Norway
  • Rays
  • Smooth Hounds
  • Sunday League
  • Links
    • Clubs & Associations
    • Knots
  • Monthly Sweeps
    • Month End Placings
  • WSAA Christmas Match
    • Christmas Match 2013
    • Christmas Match 2014
    • Christmas Match 2015
    • Christmas Match 2016
    • Christmas Match 2017
    • Christmas Match 2018
    • Christmas Match 2019
    • Christmas Match 2021
    • Christmas Match 2022
    • Christmas Match 2023
    • Christmas Match 2024
  • Gallery
    • WSAA Trophies
    • 1960 - 1969
    • 1970 - 1979
    • 1980 - 1989
    • 1990 - 1999 >
      • 1994 - 1995
      • 1995 - 1996
      • 1996 - 1997
      • 1998 - 1999
    • 2000 - 2009 >
      • 2002 - 2003
      • 2003 - 2004
      • 2004 - 2005
      • 2005 - 2006
      • 2006 - 2007
      • 2008 - 2009
      • 2009 - 2010
    • 2010 - 2019 >
      • 2010 - 2011
      • 2011 - 2012
      • 2012 - 2013 >
        • 2012 WSAA Open Photographs
        • Sat 27th Oct 2012
        • Mon 21st Jan 2013
        • Tues 22nd Jan 2013
        • 27th Jan 2013 Bell Trophy
        • Wed 6th Feb 2013
        • Thurs 7th Feb 2013
        • Fri 8th March 2013
        • Sat 9th March 2013
        • Sun 10th March 2013
        • Wed 13th March 2013
        • Presentation Night 20th April 2013
      • 2013 - 2014 >
        • Presentation Evening
      • 2014 - 2015 >
        • Presentation Evening
      • 2015 - 2016 >
        • Presentation Evening
      • 2016 - 2017 >
        • Presentation evening
      • 2017 - 2018 >
        • Presentation evening
      • 2018 - 2019 >
        • Presentation Evening
      • 2019 - 2020 >
        • Presentation Evening
    • 2020 - 2029 >
      • 2020 - 2021 >
        • Presentation evening
      • 2021 - 2022 >
        • Presentation Evening
      • 2022 - 2023 >
        • Presentation Evening
      • 2023 - 2024 >
        • Presentation Evening 20th April 2024
      • 2024 - 2025 >
        • Presentation Evening 26th April 2025
  • None match entry
  • Peeler Tanks
  • Peter Horbury Photography
  • Photo Challenge
  • Tidal Surge Damage Whitby sea wall
  • Submitted photographs
  • WSAA ' IF ' points used
  • Members WSAA Record Fish & Records
  • Members Trophy Cabinet
  • Accumulative weights
  • Archives
    • Amble Open 2014
    • Help A Capital Child
    • 1960 - 1970
    • 1970 - 1979 >
      • 1970 - 1971
      • 1971 - 1972
      • 1972 - 1973
      • 1973 - 1974
      • 1974 - 1975
      • 1975 - 1976
      • 1976 - 1977
      • 1977 - 1978
      • 1978 - 1979
      • 1979 - 1980
    • 1980 - 1989 >
      • 1980 - 1981
      • 1981 - 1982
      • 1982 - 1983
      • 1983 - 1984
      • 1984 - 1985
      • 1985 - 1986
      • 1986 - 1987
      • 1987 - 1988
      • 1988 - 1989
      • 1989 - 1990
    • 1990 - 1999 >
      • 1990 - 1991
      • 1991 - 1992
      • 1992 - 1993
      • 1993 - 1994
      • 1994 - 1995
      • 1995 - 1996
      • 1996 - 1997
      • 1997 - 1998
      • 1998 - 1999
      • 1999 - 2000
    • 2000 - 2009 >
      • 2000 - 2001
      • 2001 - 2002
      • 2002 - 2003
      • 2003 - 2004
      • 2004 - 2005
      • 2005 - 2006
      • 2006 - 2007
      • 2007 - 2008
      • 2008 - 2009
      • 2009 - 2010
    • 2010 - 2019 >
      • 2010 - 2011
      • 2011 - 2012 >
        • Leader Board.
      • 2012 - 2013
      • 2013 - 2014 >
        • Graphs
      • 2014 - 2015
      • 2015 - 2016
      • 2016 - 2017
      • 2017 - 2018
      • 2018 - 2019
      • 2019 - 2020
    • 2020 - 2021 >
      • 2021 - 2022
      • 2022 - 2023
      • 2023 - 2024
    • AGM Minutes & Business >
      • AGM 1990 - 1999 >
        • AGM 1991
        • AGM 1992
        • AGM 1993
        • AGM 1994
        • AGM 1995
        • AGM 1996
        • AGM 1997
        • AGM 1998
        • AGM 1999
      • AGM 2000 - 2009 >
        • AGM 2001
        • AGM 2002
        • AGM 2003
        • AGM 2004
        • AGM 2005
        • AGM 2006
        • AGM 2007 >
          • Agenda for 6th Nov 2007 >
            • Committee Meeting 6th November 2007
        • Agenda for 8th Jan 2008 >
          • Meeting 8th Jan 2008
        • Meeting 11th March 2008
        • AGM 2008 >
          • Meeting 2008 Open Match
        • AGM 2009 >
          • Meeting 2009 Open Match
      • AGM 2010 - 2019 >
        • AGM 31st August 2011
        • 14th December 2011
        • AGM 29th August 2012
        • AGM 28th August 2013
        • AGM 3rd September 2014
        • AGM 2nd September 2015
        • AGM 31st Aug 2016
        • AGM 30th Aug 2017
        • AGM 29th Aug 2018
        • AGM 28th Aug 2019
      • AGM 2020 >
        • AGM 2021
        • AGM 2022 >
          • Committee meeting Wed 26th Apr 2023
          • Committee meeting Wed 12th July 2023
        • AGM 2023 >
          • Committee meeting Tues 9th Jan 2024
          • Committee meeting Tues 9th July 2024
        • AGM 2024 >
          • Committee meeting 22nd Apr 2025
  • Archives WSAA Open
    • 1988 Open results
    • 1990 - 1999 Open Results >
      • 1993 Open Results
      • 1994 Open Results
      • 1995 Open Results
      • 1996 Open Results
      • 1997 Open Results
      • 1998 Open Results
      • 1999 Open Results
    • 2000 - 2009 Open Results >
      • 2000 Open Results
      • 2001 Open results
      • 2002 Open Results
      • 2003 Open Results
      • 2004 Open Results
      • 2005 Open Results
      • 2006 Open Results
      • 2007 Open Results
      • 2008 Open Results
      • 2009 Open Results
    • 2010 - 2019 Open results >
      • 2010 Open Results
      • 2011 Open Results
      • 2012 Open results >
        • 2012 WSAA Open Photographs >
          • 2012 WSAA Open Results and photographs >
            • 2012 Open Sponsors
      • 2013 WSAA Open >
        • 2013 Open Sponsors
      • 2014 WSAA Open >
        • 2014 Open Sponsors
      • 2015 WSAA Open >
        • 2015 Open Sponsors
      • 2016 WSAA Open >
        • 2016 WSAA Open Sponsors
      • 2017 WSAA Open >
        • 2017 Open Sponsors
      • 2018 Open >
        • Sponsors
      • 2019 Open
    • 2020 - 2029 Open Results >
      • 2020 Open
      • 2021 Open >
        • 2021 Open sponsors
      • 2022 Open >
        • 2022 Open sponsors
      • Open 2023
      • Open 2024
  • Bell Trophy (click)
    • 1980 - 1981 >
      • 1981 - 1982
      • 1982 - 1983
      • 1983 - 1984
      • 1984 - 1985
      • 1985 - 1986
      • 1986 - 1987
      • 1987 - 1988
      • 1988 - 1989
      • 1989 - 1990
    • 1990 - 1991 >
      • 1991 - 1992
      • 1992 - 1993
      • 1993 - 1994
      • 1994 - 1995
      • 1995 - 1996
      • 1996 - 1997
      • 1997 - 1998
      • 1998 - 1999
      • 1999 - 2000
    • 2000 - 2001 >
      • 2001 - 2002
      • 2002 - 2003
      • 2003 - 2004
      • 2004 - 2005
      • 2005 - 2006
      • 2006 - 2007
      • 2007 - 2008
      • 2008 - 2009
      • 2009 - 2010
    • 2010 - 2011 >
      • 2011 - 2012
      • 2012 - 2013
      • 2013 - 2014
      • 2014 - 2015
      • 2015 - 2016
      • 2016 - 2017
      • 2017 - 2018
      • 2018 - 2019
      • 2019 - 2020
    • 2020 - 2021 >
      • 2021 - 2022
      • 2022 - 2023
      • 2023 - 2024
      • 2024 - 2025
  • Ship Inn Open
    • 1990 - 1999 Ship Inn >
      • Results 9th Jan 1994
      • Results 8th Jan 1995
      • Results 14th Jan 1996
      • Results 12th Jan 1997
      • Results 18th Jan 1998
      • Results 31st Jan 1999
    • 2000 - 2009 Ship Inn >
      • Results 16th Jan 2000
      • Results 7th Jan 2001
      • Results 2002
      • Results 5th Jan 2003
      • Results 4th Jan 2004
      • Results 18th Dec 2005
    • 2010 - 2019 Ship Inn >
      • Results 20th Jan 2010
      • Results 30th Dec 2012
      • Results 5th Jan 2014
      • Station Inn Open 2014
      • Station Inn Open 2015
      • Station Inn Open 2016
      • Station Inn Open 2017
      • Station Inn Open 2018
      • Victoria Hotel Open 2019
  • Contact Us
  • Secretary's Challenge Trophy
    • Result 7th Feb 2016
    • Results 12th Feb 2017
    • Result 4th Feb 2018
    • Result 24th Feb 2019
    • Result 1st Mar 2020
    • Result 6th Mar 2022
    • Result 12th Feb 2023
    • Result 25th Feb 2024
    • Result 16th Feb 2025
  • Royal Marines Association Charity Open
    • 2nd Royal Marines Association Charity Open
    • 3rd Royal Marines Association Charity Open
  • Redcar Navy & Gentleman's Angling Open
  • Weather
  • Stakesby Vale 22nd May 2024

Peeler Tank Set Up

Peelers - fresh and frozen are an essential bait for anglers.  This time of year is taken up collecting those peelers and bringing them on in a controlled environment until they moult.  Peeled, wrapped and frozen in pristine condition for the coming season.

Tank set ups can be expensive if done all in one go, the more crabs one collects brings down the cost/peeler when compared to the value of the crabs that one would have had to buy in.  If you have the time to collect the crabs, sea water and monitor the crabs twice (or more) daily then the rewards are there.  The equipment below can also be used to keep fresh mussels and razor fish alive during the winter months.

Typical equipment that many members of Whitby Sea Anglers use:- (other filters and pumps are available)

Hozelock Cyprio Triple Filter - with UV lamp, numerous odd fittings & pipe.
Cascade 1500 LV: 3054 Fountain & Waterfall Pump - couple of jubilee clips & some flexible pond pump pipe.
(beauty of this pump is its lift capability 1.20 metres)
2x plasterers baths (I started with one bath, progressed to two the next year and my set up has evolved every year).
2x 'Push Fit Tank Connectors' 32mm, and some short lengths of 1 1/4" waste pipe - see below.
1x male female push fit elbow - see below.
Overflow tank connectors and some overflow pipe.
3/4" plywood to support the tanks, drilled with 4½" holes to allow passage of 'Push Fit Tank Connectors'.
Some rough sawn timber for tank supports.

Picture
Nearly ready to peel crabs kept in an isolation bucket
Picture
Peelers are very lethargic and docile
Picture
I like to catch them before the shell lifts this far

Picture
Picture
One plasterers bath above the other for easy access and best use of space available and space left for a bait fridge.
Hozelock Cyprio Triple Filter - with UV lamp, supported above top plasterers bath because if there are any leaks the water is contained.

When all set up I only need 15 gallons of sea water.
Picture
Crabs tend to gather at end of the tank
Picture
I use air stones when crab numbers are high
Picture
Top tank overflow system
Picture
Overflowing into bottom tank
Push Fit Tank Connector with a length of 1 1/4" waste pipe - which is drilled to regulate water level and act as a sieve in case any jelly crabs are allowed to peel which would block the flow of water to lower tank.  As a back up 3x 90 deg tank overflow fittings (white) as I find all the crabs gather round this central drain point.  The fall of water down the 4 pipes gives good aeration.
Picture
Cascade 1500* 3054 Fountain & Waterfall Pump - has the ability to lift water 1.2 metres, ideal for lifting water up in to  the Hozelock Cyprio Triple Filter.
Picture
32mm 'Push Fit Tank Connector' and male female push fit elbow (see below) allows for easy tank draining and cleaning - new addition this season.
4" clearance is required, hence brick on edge.
1 1/4" waste pipe (grey) fitted into 'Push Fit Tank Connector' is a double plug as the flexi hose is tied up vertically.

*There is a choice of Low Voltage, and 230v mains pumps, if you do not have an RCD in your consumer unit, use an LV pump.  Electricity & water are a dangerous mix and it cannot be stressed enough always 'Switch Off' the electricity before placing ones hands into the water to check your peelers.  If in doubt seek advice from a qualified electrician.

Picture
New this year - Emptying the tanks is a laborious task, even if you use the pump, so I fitted a 'Push Fit Tank Connector 32mm' (on this fitting only I used some silicone sealant to guarantee a water tight seal) into the lower tank, with a length of
1 1/4" to act as a plug - allows for easy drainage and water changes.  A short length of 1 1/4" pipe into the male female push fit elbow is attached to this old vacuum cleaner pipe, which is hung up when not in use.

Picture
Picture
32mm 'Push Fit Tank Connector' and male female push fit elbow allows for easy tank draining and cleaning.

Useful hole cutters

Picture
Picture
44mm diameter hole cutter for Push Fit Tank Connector & I used this 110mm diameter floor plug cutter for the plywood bases.

Evaporation and Ammonia detection
all can be bought from a good tropical fish shop

Picture
A Hydrometer is an essential accessory to maintain the sea water at a 'specific gravity' of 1.024 to monitor evaporation.

Picture
The use of the Ammonia test kit tells you when it is time to change your water.
The ammonia comes from the natural bodily functions of the crabs and will kill them if not monitored.
Picture
De-Chlorinated tap water or clean rain water can be used to lower the Specific Gravity back to 1.024 due to evaporation, and never top up with sea water as this merely increases the salt content and SG.

Picture
Picture
Left - thermometer to monitor temperature and above - fish tank heater for when it is cold - I like to maintain a temperature of 19 deg C so as to bring the peelers on ASAP.

Left - Good aeration is essential and crabs nearly ready are kept in a separate 'isolation' bucket with holes drilled in sides.

Top tip - at the end of the season it is recommended that you flush your pump and pond pipe with fresh water.  Pond pipe is reinforced with an alloy metal which others have found to their costs corrodes and bursts if not cleaned properly.

Electricity & water are a dangerous mix and it cannot be stressed enough always 'Switch Off' the electricity before placing ones hands into the water to check your peelers.  If in doubt seek advice from a qualified electrician.

Tight lines
Peter Horbury

Peeling

Everyone has their own way of peeling a crab but for those just starting out and new to fishing may find this useful.
Picture
So when is a crab ready for peeling?  Obviously the one above is ready as the crab shell has split and the back is lifting as the peeler takes on water and forces itself out of the shell.  I personally like them when the shell just starts to split and there is a crunch when pressure is applied between back and under side with thumb and forefinger.

Peeling station

Picture
Useful tips:-

Cat litter tray, two tubs - 
1 -  filled with water, to be used as a finger bowl as crab juice is sticky.
2 - the other for crab shells
Paring knife.
Old tea towel

Picture


Easy access cling film and scissors
Picture


Water spray to wet surface, aides you when laying out cling film as it has a mind of its own due to static electricity

Everything in place, cling film laid out and peeling station ready
Picture


Step 1

Nip off the 8 legs and 2 claws.

I freeze the legs and claws with shell on and donate to local tackle shop for junior anglers as a freebie.
Picture

Step 2

Using a paring knife tease the shell off the 8 leg and 2 claws sockets.
Placing knife tip between under belly and socket rings, and pries off.
Any stubborn shell can be removed later.
Picture


Step 3

Peel the small flap protecting the 2 reproduction organs (left & below left) and then pull out the mouth mandibles.
Picture
Picture
Picture

Step 4

Lift up and remove underside, this may not come off in one piece but all is not lost as any inner shell plates can be removed later.
Picture

Step 5

Now remove upper shell and both sides.

And below remove the mouth and jaw.
Picture
Picture
Picture


Step 6

Lift up either wing to reveal the deadmen (black) and inner ribs.
Picture


Step 7

Nip out deadmen and inner ribs.
At this point any broken leg sockets from step 2 can also be removed.
Picture

Step 8

Turn over and remove any inner ribs plates (left) that were not removed in
Step 4.
Right - every piece of shell is removed.
Picture
Picture


Step 9

Pat dry on old tea towel before laying on cling film.
Picture


Step 10

Lay on cling film and roll over once.
Picture

Step 11

Fold in either side and roll up tightly, ensuring there is no air which will cause freezer burn if not tight enough.
Picture
Step 12

Place rolled up bait in a cat litter tray in freezer compartment of your bait fridge.
From tank to freezer in a couple of minutes.
Picture
Picture


When all peelable crabs are peeled, transfer peeled crabs to bait freezer, keeping a dayly tally.

For the match angler / clubman, working on the principle of 50 matches in a season, rounded up to each of a 4hr duration, at 3 casts an hour, 600 peelers will be required.

Not all matches will require peelers which will be off set for pleasure nights.
Tight lines
Peter Horbury

Published Saturday 17th May 2014
Last edit Saturday 17th May 2014, Tuesday 20th May 2014

Back to top
Proudly powered by Weebly