(Baonghean.vn) -Women in the midland of Thanh Chuong have a special job associated with the fields and bamboo bundles. Although it is hard work, it brings in a good income: 'crab fishing with sticks'.
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| The fields after the flood, still covered in water, are the most favorable places for crab fishing. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Crab fishing is mainly done by women. The work is not hard but requires perseverance and hard work. They often go in groups of 3-4 people, working together in the same field. The crab fishing tools are quite simple, small bamboo sticks like chopsticks, about 0.8m long, with one end sharpened to catch bait. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Each fisherman usually has around 100 fishing rods. They fish once and can fish for several years. During the fishing process, the bait will be added in batches or changed each time they take a line. The bait is fresh earthworms, and the bait is only attached to the line when preparing to go to the field. Large, fresh bait can be fished for a longer time. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| After casting the line, waiting for the crab to eat the bait, the angler will go get the crab, usually after setting the last hook, he will come back to get the crab immediately, starting with the first hooked hook. This type of crab fishing does not have a buoy, just wait for a while and then go get it. When taking the hook, the angler must bend down to the water surface, use his hand to grab the head of the hook, and also hold the crab that is grabbing the hook to eat the bait. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Both the hook and the crab are brought to the surface of the water. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Crab fishing usually requires fishing in deep fields, because shallow fields have been picked up by people or poultry. Crab fishing is not like fishing, you have to wade through the fields constantly, getting crabs, changing bait, and moving the line… Fishermen always have to soak in the water, their clothes soaked. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Fishing crabs are usually big and old and are preferred by consumers and traders, so fishing crabs are also sold at a higher price than mud crabs or hook crabs. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Ms. Bui Thi Thuy (45 years old) in Thanh Luong hamlet 4 - a person with nearly ten years of experience in the profession said: "Every day, I usually only go fishing in the morning, and in the afternoon I rest to regain strength and go find bait. Only those who are strong can work twice a day." Each fishing session, a person catches 5 - 7 kg of crab, which they sell to traders in the village for 50,000 VND/kg. After the flood season, crabs breed more, which is also a favorable condition for crab fishermen to earn extra income. Photo: Huy Thu |
Huy Thu
