If not, drop the line and let the crab come back to the bait. If the crab refuses to part with his chicken-neck prize, continue easing it toward shallow water where you will be holding the net on the bottom. Lead the crab over the hoop and meshes and lift the net. Dump the crab into the bucket or ice chest and toss the chicken neck back out to lure another of the clawed crustaceans. We generally used a spotlight equipped with alligator clips and a marine battery.
Flashlights also work.
After dark, we'd wade a shallow grass flat. The one adjacent to the Coquina Boat Ramp on the southern tip of Anna Maria Island was our favorite. The light would illuminate any crabs prowling the flat for food. We also brought along a flounder gig and mullet net in the pram. I don't remember ever getting any flounder, but from time to time we'd score with mullet and the castnet.