Doesn't matter if i'm along the shoreline or off a pier, this simple way of catching live crabs work. I have modified it slightly. Using a kite string holder was a simple but effective way of keeping my lines from getting tangled. Also using a wired cage for my bait has saved me money on bait. I've lost a few canisters over the years from large Samoan Crabs destroying them, but that's expected.
Traveled the World diving & fishing. Became a ranked billiard player in Asia. Won a few senior bowling tournaments. I travel to the US, Australia & Europe working with museums & doing educational lectures.