Matt J
SWGB
Also called a Spiny Mole Crab. A different species than what is known as a sand flea that everyone who knows fishing the surf uses for bait.
I used to think they were male sand fleas, but they are not. I still use them for bait even though they are IMO much scarier looking than sand fleas. I can actually say I think they do not work as well as sand fleas. I think fish are afraid to eat them.
I too did the wikipedia thing and found out male sand fleas are merely a smaller version of the females.
They pinch too. Thus far I haven't been bitten by a sand flea.