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Tips to Crabbing on Lake Road
 Keith Lusher
Summertime is here and as the water temperatures heat up in May, so does the crabbing on the Northshore. Lake Road in Lacombe may be the #1 destination for folks who are looking to catch a hamper of crabs. From lines to nets and turkey to chicken necks, there’s no end to the opinions people have when it comes to what’s best. There are however a few areas where the majority of folks are in agreeance. Below is a list of tips to helping you catch more crabs on Lake Road in Lacombe.
Location Lake Road spans 3.61 miles from Hwy 90 in Lacombe. Of that, only 1.21 miles of the road is accessible to crab from. The second bridge is where you’ll want to start paying attention. To the right you’ll notice a canal that begins on the side of the road. While it may look appealing, that section of the canal is far too shallow for crabs. Crabs are aware of their surroundings and water that is under 2 feet deep limits the area that they can use to get away from predatory fish and other underwater predators. Also when the water is shallow that makes them easy pickings for seagulls, herons, and kingfishers overhead. Another strike agains the northern section of canal is the water temperature. During the brutal summer months the shallow water can reach mid-day temperatures upwards of 90 degrees rendering it void of crabs and fish for that matter 
As you make your way further down the road you’ll notice another bridge. This bridge is where you’ll want to start crabbing. The reason being is that there is a heavy current that flows beneath it when the tide is rising and falling. The water is deeper at the bridge and the passage between the marsh and the canal serves as a choke point that accentuates the water flow. The more moving water, the better when your crabbing on Lake Road! As you work your way further south down Lake Road the entire span of canal to the right is prime crabbing territory including the final bridge that is located at the boat launch.
Bait Folks will argue about what’s better between chicken necks or turkey necks, but when it comes to crabs, fish scraps are by far the superior bait. The problem with poultry necks is the meat looses scent after the first half hour of use. Fish holds a scent that travels better through the water which in turn attracts crabs from a further distance. A longer scent trail means a better chance that crabs will come across it. If you plan on using fish scraps for bait it will take a little preparation. On you next fishing trip, instead of tossing the skins, heads, and rib cages, stuff them into a gallon sized Zip Lock bag and freeze it for your next crabbing trip. Lines The most popular way to crab on Lake Road is unarguably using crab lines tied directly to the bait. Using crab lines is simple and the access to the materials makes it appealing to everyone. Running crab lines is as easy as cutting a section of nylon string or fishing line and securing it on the side of the road. You can use a number of things to serve as an anchor to your lines including rocks, bricks, and I’ve even seen lines tied to the weeds growing on the side of the road. If you are running lines you’ll need a hand net to scoop up the crabs when you pull them in. Nets with a wide mouth work best and it’s important to use a landing net and stay aways from minnow nets with tight meshing. Landing nets cut through the water faster and can get down to the crab before it lets go and swims away. Crab Nets The use of nets is another popular choice for those looking to catch crabs on Lake Road. However, there is a limited area in which nets should be used. Crab nets are designed to be pulled straight up. The force from the water rushing down through the net pushes the crabs down into the net and keeps them from fleeing. If you want to use crab nets it’s best to try and select an area in which the nets can be checked from overhead. The deeper sections of the canal that spans Lake Road such as the water underneath bridges and wharfs at the launch are optimal for using crab nets. 
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 Keith Lusher
I created NFR.com in the spring of 2012. Since then it has helped link Northshore fishermen to valuable information and has filled the void of absent information on the web about fishing on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Northshore Fishing Report has morphed into a brand name and can be found not only on the web, but on radio and newspaper. As NFR grows I will continue to work hard at keeping NFR local focusing on local anglers, reports, seminars, and fishing tournaments in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parish. I hope you enjoy the website and If you have any questions please email me at: Keith@NorthshoreFishingReport.com
Look for the Northshore Fishing Report publication every Thursday in The Slidell Independent Weekly Newspaper!
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