How do you hook a fiddler crab to go fishing with it as bait?

Question

I've heard a lot of people using fiddler crabs to catch sheepshead, flounder, catfish, and trout (I'm fishing out of brackish water to explain the mixture of salt and freshwater fish). And I live on a river and behind my home is a bank and a marsh and both are loaded with fiddler crabs. I'd like to use them as bait but I can't imagine how to hook them being that they have that shell. Or atleast hook them and still use them as LIVE bait.

I googled the mess out of it, but no site I found really addresses how you'd go about hooking them. And I know people do this all the time, so I decided I'd come here for the answer.

And I'd like a link to a website that explains it or a link to a picture that explains it. But if that's not possible, detailed information would be great.

Thanks.

Answer 1

through the bottom of the body then out the top.

Answer 2

flguy gave you a good answer.I've used them before and hooked as he said. I hooked mine from the bottom up. Even though they may not survive on hook, the fish will still take them. Winter months is sheepshead time in S Fl. and those crabs are a great bait. Tight lines.

Answer 3

This site is very informative. I also hook my crabs in the furthest corner of the shell, however they are not hardy on the hook.

Answer 4

through the body.