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.
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Nearly ready to peel crabs kept in an isolation bucket
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Peelers are very lethargic and docile
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I like to catch them before the shell lifts this far
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.
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Crabs tend to gather at end of the tank
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I use air stones when crab numbers are high
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Top tank overflow system
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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.
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.
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.
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.
32mm 'Push Fit Tank Connector' and male female push fit elbow allows for easy tank draining and cleaning.

Useful hole cutters

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

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

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


Easy access cling film and scissors


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


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.

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.


Step 3

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

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.

Step 5

Now remove upper shell and both sides.

And below remove the mouth and jaw.


Step 6

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


Step 7

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

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.


Step 9

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


Step 10

Lay on cling film and roll over once.

Step 11

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


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