How to Catch Crab

 

Crab fishing can be a fun and rewarding activity, but it is important to understand the regulations and best practices in your specific location. Here is some general information to get you started:

Types of Crabs:

 

 

Dungeness Crab: Popular on the West Coast of the United States, known for their sweet meat.  

Blue Crab: Found in the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, particularly abundant in the Chesapeake Bay. 

King Crab: Large and prized for their meat, primarily found in the Bering Sea and off the coast of Alaska. 

Snow Crab: Also found in the Bering Sea and off the coast of Alaska, smaller than King Crab but still delicious. 

 

Fishing Methods:

 

 Crab Pots/Traps: These are baited containers that crabs enter and become trapped. They are typically deployed from boats but can also be used from piers or docks.  

 

Ring Nets: Used in shallow water, these nets are cast over crabs and then lifted to capture them.

Hand Lines: A simple line with bait attached is lowered to the bottom, and crabs can be hooked. 

 

Bait:

 

    Fresh bait is generally most effective, such as:

Chicken  

 Fish (mackerel, herring) 

Squid 

Mussels 

Clams 

 

Regulations:

     Licenses: You may need a fishing license or specific permits to crab in certain areas.  

 

Size Limits: There are often minimum size limits for crabs to ensure that they are mature enough to reproduce. 

Bag Limits: There may be limits on the number of crabs you can catch per day or per trip.

Seasons: Crabbing seasons can vary depending on the location and species. 

 

Safety:

    Wear appropriate safety gear, such as life jackets, especially when crabbing from a boat.  

 

    Be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards, such as strong currents or slippery surfaces.

    Handle crabs carefully to avoid being pinched.

 

Additional Tips:

     Research specific regulations and best practices for the location where you plan to crab.

    Check tide charts to determine the best times to crab.

    Consider joining a local fishing club or charter a fishing trip to learn from experienced crabbers.

    Be respectful of the environment and dispose of any trash properly.
 

 

Crabbing can be your favorite summer pastime with your friends or family members. You can cherish these memories with a more exciting task like catching a blue crab. Catching a blue crab can be more rewarding in coastal regions.

Blue crabs are valued for their sweet, tender meat. These ten-legged crustaceans are among the most heavily harvested creatures on the planet. Blue crabs are found in brackish coastal lagoons throughout the Gulf of Mexico, and Uruguay in the south. They feed mussels, snails, fish, plants, and even carrion and younger blue crabs. They are also excellent swimmers with specially adapted hind appendages. Crabbing is regulated by respective states with trap specifications, below are some sample legal specifications for crabbing

Trap Specifications

  • The maximum trap size is 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet or a volume of 8 cubic feet
  • Mesh size must be one and a half inches or larger
  • The throat or entrance cannot extend farther than 6 inches into the inside of any trap
  • Must have at least three escape rings, one of each located on a vertical outer surface adjacent to each chamber
  • Escape rings must be larger than 2 3/8 inches
  • The trap must have a degradable panel larger than 3 inches by 6 inches
  • The FWC-issued unique trap registration number must also be permanently affixed to the trap and legible

Cooking Crab

 

There are a variety of ways to cook and prepare crab. Here are a few:

Steaming live crab:

·       In a large pot or steamer pour 1 cup of vinegar, 2 cups of beer or water and 2 tablespoons of salt and bring it to a boil.

·       Place the crabs into the freezer or large bowl of ice water for about 3 minutes as the liquid boils.

·       Once the liquid is boiling, place the live crabs onto a steaming rack above the liquid, sprinkle them with seasoning and cover the pot.

·       Steam over a medium - hot heat for at least 20 minutes. The crabs should turn a bright red or orange color when done.

·       Remove the crab, rinse under cold water, and serve.

 

Boiling live crab:

·       Pour water into a large saucepan, add around 5 tablespoons of sea salt, and bring to a boil.

·       Grasp the live crab by the back legs and drop it into the water.

·       You should cook large crabs for around 15 - 20 minutes, and smaller crabs will only need around 8 - 10 minutes.

·       The crab's shell should turn a bright orange when done.

·       When the crabs are done, place them for a few seconds in cold water.

·       Serve immediately with hot melted butter or let the crabs cool down enough for you to remove the meat and refrigerate them.

 

To steam already cooked crab legs:

·       Pour 2 cups of water in a steamer or a large pot, and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring it to a boil.

·       Add the crab legs and steam for between 5 - 7 minutes, until you can begin to smell their aroma and until they are warm.

·       Remove from the heat and serve hot with melted butter and lemon wedges.