I know that catching and using sand crabs for bait has been the subject of many previous posts, but if I could gather a consensus of your experienced opinions, it would be very helpful.

1. Could you please provide some info on the tools used to catch them? Links to websites or other diagrams illustrating home-made or store-bought tools would be great. I've heard everything from kiddie shovels to custom-made nets with chicken wire.

2. Size. I think the consensus is that dime-sized crabs and/or softshell crabs are the optimal bait, correct?

3. And, for hooking them, starting from the tail/back end with the eye of the hook towards the head of the crab, then feeding the hook through the back so that it will go through the water tail-first. Is this correct? Most of the time when I rig them this way, they either die right away or go flying off the hook when I cast. Ideas?

4. Carolina rig? It would seem logical but want to confirm.

If any of you could hit on these four points, it would go a long way to enhance my understanding on the subject. Thanks!

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **