Do you like to spend time at the beach digging in the sand looking for fleas or other small creatures? If so, you need the right tools for the job. One of the most essential tools for beachgoers is a rake for shoveling out sand fleas. But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to know which one is best for you. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing the best sand flea rake.
We’ve analyzed all the Sand Beach Rakes on the market, looking at reviews, cost, ease of purchase, and many other factors.
Thus, we have compiled a ranking of the best Sand Beach Rakes.
What is Sand Beach Rake?
Specially designed rakes designed to catch sand fleas, also known as sand crabs or beach jumpers.
Since the rake you have at home is not well suited to catching these crustaceans, you will have to pick up a rake specifically designed to dig sand and collect them.
Do I need a Sand Flea Rakes?
Sand fleas (also known as mole crabs, sand crabs, sand daddies) are phenomenal bait for saltwater fishing. This is especially true if you are fishing your first feeder from shore.
What many people don’t realize is that these tiny crabs are actually great fresh fishing bait that can catch everything from pompano and stripers to cutthroat and sea bass.
Sand fleas are fairly easy to spot by the ripples in the water as the tide recedes back into the ocean.
Sand Rake: In a nutshell
- A sand flea rake makes sand flea trapping more effective.
- Sand flea rake makes it much easier to quickly catch large numbers of sand fleas.
Best Sand Flea Rake
Exact Design Sand Flea Rake
Features:
- Sharp teeth design for digging: sand flea rake includes teeth that allows you to dig deeper into the sand and scoop up more sand fleas into the basket.
- Wide basket for catching more: the 16” wide basket allows you to catch more sand fleas each time.
- Curved handle: ergonomic curved handle design distributes weight evenly to allow the user to rake the sand without tiring or hurting their arms and back.
- No-slip grip: padded extra thick handle provides better grip, and prevents slipping.
- Strong one-piece handle: simple assembling to easily connect the handle to basket.
LOSTRONAUT Sand Flea Rake
Features:
Professional grade sand flea catcher.
Has an extra-wide 16” basket with a sharp tooth design to easily catch bait.
Saltwater beach rake has a 52” ergonomic handle and non-slip handles for easy operation and weight distribution.
Built from rust-resistant high-quality sturdy galvanized steel and welded construction to last you a lifetime.
Includes extra sand treasure scoop with every rake.
Best Weed Rakes
VEVOR Sand Rake
Features:
- Lake weed cutter is made of sturdy aluminum and stainless steel, water- and rust-proof.
- The pole and head are firmly connected with screws that will not loosen or fall off.
- Durable materials and construction ensure long-term use.
- The ergonomically curved pole allows you to rake the sand effortlessly.
- And the rubber handle is comfortable to grip and avoid slipping.
Dover Saddlery Fine Tine Fork
Features:
- Tough polycarbonate resists breaking.
- Designed to save time, the Fine Tines Fork features an angled basket with 30 closely spaced tines.
- This pitchfork sifts out even the small stuff to reduce your stall picking time.
Shoreline Industries Sand Beach Pond
Features:
- Rake head is 16 inches wide x 65 inches long and weighs ~ 5 lbs.
- Designed for shoreline property owners looking to clean up debris.
- Good for sand, beach, pond, river, and lake shores.
- Customize your handle length/strength with 1-inch metal conduit tubing.
VEVOR Pole Beach Rake
Features:
- The 16″ x 7″ /40 x 18 cm rake head is wide enough for the lake or beach cleaning work.
- Made of sturdy aluminum and stainless steel, water- and rust-proof.
- The pole and head are firmly connected with screws that will not loosen or fall off.
What is a sand flea rake?
A sand flea rake is a tool used to collect sand fleas and other small creatures on the beach. It usually consists of a metal frame with a mesh basket attached to the end. The basket is designed to pick up sand and small creatures, allowing the sand to sift through. Sand flea rakes are popular with beachcombers, fishermen and crabbers.
How to choose a Sand Flea Rake?
A rake is a tool that is simple in design and operation. Usually, there are no problems with its choice. Nevertheless, a few simple tips can still help you:
- Steel and galvanized tools are considered the most durable.
- For large debris collection it is better to buy a tool with large powerful teeth, and for small – with densely planted small teeth.
- For work on a large territory, it is more effective to use wide models, and for flower beds, a narrow grip is in preference.
- The telescopic handle will allow you to set the optimal length of the tool for the height of each family member.
Note: It is believed that the optimal length have models in which, if you put them vertically, the handle reaches just under the armpit.
- The wooden handle should not have any visible damage, such as chips, knots or burrs.
- The handle should have a zero-play fit, and the tool itself, even if assembled from separate parts, should feel monolithic.
- As for the transformer rake, before buying the model you like, you should make sure that the handle is securely fastened to the working head and that it is easy to use.
The purchase of a sand flea rake control rake is recommended in the following situations:
- Need lots of sand fleas as soon as possible.
- Picking up sand fleas in colder or deeper water
- You have back problems and don’t have a child to help you.
Sand Beach Rake Buying Criteria
Needs and Requirements
Before you start looking for a sand flea rake, you need to understand your needs and specific requirements. This is because rakes vary in design and function. So if you don’t focus on the needs, you are likely to get features that are either irrelevant or unsatisfactory.
Material
Sand flea rakes can be made of different materials: stainless steel, aluminum, and even plastic. Stainless steel rakes are the most durable, but this increases the weight. There are also lightweight aluminum rakes. You can also come across rakes that are made of plastic. But it is better to stay away from them because they are more prone to break even with minimal pressure.
Some rakes may have steel baskets but have plastic handles. They are not suitable either, especially for long-term use. When choosing the material of a sand flea rake, steel or aluminum rakes are preferred.
Basket size
Another important characteristic to pay attention to is the size of the basket. The size determines how much sand you will be able to filter in one movement. The basket should not be too big or too small. The ideal size is 12 to 15 inches wide and about 10 inches long. This will be enough volume to filter sand and catch sand fleas.
Handle Length
Although the length of the handle is not of paramount importance, it is nevertheless important. A long handle will allow you to have a wider reach. So as soon as you spot sand fleas even from a distance, you can immediately attack them
A long handle will benefit both tall and long guys. But long guys will especially benefit from it since they don’t have to bend over to catch sand fleas.
Weight and Durability
Ideally, you’d like your rake to be as light as possible. No one likes to work with heavy tools. And because wet sand adds weight, handling a rake properly will require more muscle strength.
Plastic may have the least weight, but it also breaks easily. Steel or other material can add excessive weight to a rake, so aluminum is the best option. Aluminum also provides durability. If there are minimal joints and fewer weak spots, the rake is sure to last a long time.
Corrosion resistance
You will use sandy sea rakes on beaches. And, as you may know, seawater is naturally salty due to excessive amounts of salt. This leads to rust, which is a common form of corrosion. Rust can corrode metal from the inside out and cause serious irreparable damage.
How to use a Sand Flea Rake
Before using a sand flea rake, it is best to first locate the sand flea colony along the water’s edge before you start scooping.
Take your time, keep an eye on the colony and attack quickly as the wave recedes back out to sea. Sand crabs can sense you approaching, so it’s best to approach as quickly as possible and catch a good scoop as quickly as possible.
As a rule, you don’t have to dig deep. But the slower you approach, the deeper you have to dig to get to them.
Once you have a spoonful of sand in your rake, you usually won’t be able to tell if the crabs are really buried there. So, partially plunge the rake into the receding waves to wash the sand off your finds. If you’re lucky, you’ll be rewarded with a handful of fat sand crabs. And, if you’re really lucky, some of them have bright orange eggs attached to their undersides.
Frequently asked questions about the best flea sand rakes
Q: How do I use a sand flea rake?
A: To use a sand flea rake, you need to find a spot where sand fleas are active. Hold the rake at an angle and swipe it across the sand. The rake will grab the sand and small creatures, which you can then sift through to find the sand fleas.
Q: Can I use a flea rake for other purposes?
A: Yes, the sand flea rake can also be used to collect other small creatures such as crabs, clams and shrimp.
Q: How do I clean a sand flea rake?
A: To clean your sand flea rake, rinse it thoroughly with fresh water after each use. You can also use a soft-bristle brush to remove debris stuck in the mesh basket. Allow the rake to dry completely before storing it.
