So ive been fishing off Bradenton beach a lot lately. The crabs eat my bait fast. A mullet is gone in an hour and a half tops, half a bonita even less. I use pantyhose but have not noticed much of an effect, they just chew right through it.
Ive thought about suspending my bait with baloon rigs.
Anyways, what do you guys use to battle crabs? Im limited on the bait I can use, im a drive from the beach so when im there I go for shark. Mullet/Bonita/Ladyfish.
I have heard of people putting bait in panty hose, it will allow the scent to be carried out, and prevents crabs picking your bait clean. I haven never tried it personally. You could also try floating the bait out with a balloon.
If you could I would try to use Rays. For me they seem to last longer than any other bait.