Tuna Crabs

[DDan]

Originally Posted by Motofisher

They would just swim right by filling up on the carbs.

Beer and pasta? Carry on!

[Dr. Who]

Originally Posted by Blackfish

Pelagic tuna crabs (Pleuroncodes planipes) are normally found off the Pacific coast of Baja. When they are found in California it is a sure sign that southern water has moved north. They are one to three inches in length, and swim backward by flipping their tails and streamlining their legs. At times they settle to the ocean bottom and hide in holes in the sand. At other times they drift and swim with currents, moving up and down the water column in search of planktonic bits of food that they capture with appendage hairs. They are known to be a food source for the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). They can congegrate in vast swarms, thick enough to color the ocean surface red and washing ashore in great drifts to be mistaken for baby lobsters. Such swarms are often in association with El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. Tuna crabs are also a source of food for fish, especially yellowtail and various tuna species, and for rays and pinnipeds as well. At times marine birds gorge so heavily on tuna crabs that they cannot fly!

Thanks for the 411 on these little guys. I hope your right about el nino.

[slydawg]

Originally Posted by Motofisher

I remember a couple a years ago they showed up. The yellowtail were everywhere on them. They were not interested in dines or live bait. They would just swim right by filling up on the carbs.

I think the crabs are actually protein.


















Sorry, couldn't pass it up.

[skipjack-20]

I remember when those things were here, I caught a few, little lobsters is right. I also remember fish everywhere Blue Fin Tuna,Yellow Fin Tuna,dodo, Yellowtail and nobody could get them to play, all full.

[markmesser]

In late winter those crabs fill Mag Bay and turn the beaches red several inches thick

[FIRST BLOOD]

Tuna crabs, black marlin inside Cat, equitorial Pacific temp anomolies approaching +1C, recent seal kills.....

Keep an eye open for more signs of El Nino and don't forget that it takes (I believe) 3 straight months of at least +.5 anomalies before the El Nino is official and presumably all over the news. By then the slaughter should be well underway!

Now if I could just keep my expectations for the season under control.

[MeCrankMate]

Back in 2001 I was surfing in HB just south of the pier and those things were cruising around on the surface.... could be a good sign of things to come for this year.