Aussie Lobster Men star Brendan ‘Squizzy’ Taylor catches a nine-kilogram giant crab

He might be most well-known for his rock lobster fishing exploits, but the man affectionately known as Squizzy has made an unusual, and massive, catch.

Bold Contender skipper Brendan "Squizzy" Taylor is better known for selling crays. Picture: Chris Kidd

Crab fishers set their pots at a depth of between 200 and 500 metres and leave them in the water for about a week.

As well as being difficult, Brendan “Squizzy” Taylor – from the TV show Aussie Lobster Men – says crab fishing is also a costly undertaking.

He recently caught a nine-kilogram giant crab in waters off North-West Tasmania.

Brendan 'Squizzy' Taylor long time fisherman and of TV show Aussie Lobster Men with the giant crab he caught in North West Tasmania. Picture: Brendan 'Squizzy' Taylor

Mr Taylor said he believed only “six or seven” boats in the state do crab fishing.

“Most of them are based in the country towns of Currie, King Island, Stanley and Strahan. It’s a fishery which costs a fair bit of money to get involved in,” Mr Taylor said.

“You’ve got to get a lot of gear, and it costs a bit to set up. But it’s a very small, lucrative and well-managed industry.

“The main markets are Japan, Sydney and Melbourne.

“It’s probably one of the most expensive seafood to buy, and the fisheries are coming back very strong.”

Also part of the rock lobster industry, Mr Taylor said crab fishing was a very different beast.

“They’re a pretty specky animal; it’s got a wow factor. It’s just a different creature.

“It’s probably the creature I admire the most in the sea.”

Mr Taylor said he was optimistic about the future of the crab fishing industry in Tasmania.

“The fishery is in a strong position and improving all the time. It looks very bright for the future, and look forward to being a part of it.”