How to Go Crabbing for Blue Crabs

Blue crabs are the Maryland State Crustacean, although they are found all along the Atlantic coast from Canada down to South America. Crabs are a tasty treat, often enjoyed in the form of crab cakes, or boiled and spiced with Old Bay seasoning. They can be pretty expensive, though, often costing over $50 for a bushel (well over $100 if you need to have them shipped). If you'd like to have yourself a crab feast without shelling out the big bucks, or you'd just like to spend a relaxing, enjoyable day by the water, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out just how easy it is to crab for your own dinner.

Things You'll Need

• License (in some cases)
• Bait
• Traps and/or lines
• Rope
• Net
• Storage pail filled with sea (or bay) water
• Ruler or calipers
• Lunch and drinks
• Tongs or gloves (or both)
• Sunblock, hat, sunglasses, bug spray, etc.
• Old Bay seasoning (optional, but recommended)

Instructions

1. Check with your local department of fish and wildlife to see whether you'll need a license for the type (and amount) of crabbing you plan to do. You should also check to see the size of the blue crabs you are allowed to harvest by law in your area.

2. Select a location. You can, if you wish, set crab traps offshore using a boat, but the easiest way is to crab from an onshore setting such as a pier. Again, you will need to check and make sure that crabbing is permitted in this location--some types of public land will have regulations posted regarding the types of activities permitted there and the hours in which they may take place.

3. Decide what type of bait you prefer to use. Chicken or turkey necks are cheap and effective, although some crabbers prefer using squid, chunks of fish or even fish heads.

4. Pack your gear. You'll need crab traps or lines and a net, rope, a storage pail in which to keep the crabs you catch (along with some water), a small ruler or calipers to measure your crabs to make sure they're of legal size, and, of course, your bait. It is also good to bring a cooler with some sandwiches and drinks, as it can take quite a few hours to catch the limit of crabs.

5. Tie the bait to the crab lines if you plan to crab by this method--these should be thin, strong pieces of string about 4 inches long (or longer if your pier is especially high). Then tie the lines to the pier and drop the bait end in the water. You should set out a number of lines--perhaps six or so--in order to maximize your chances of landing a sufficient numbers of blue crabs. When you see one of the lines pulled tight, reel it in slowly, then scoop the crab up with the net once you see it on the surface of the water. Put it into your water-filled storage pail.

6. Set your traps if you'd rather use these. Tie a piece of bait to the center of the floor of the trap, then attach a long enough piece of rope for the trap to reach bottom at one end and be tied around the pier at the other end. You will need to check the traps often (every 10 minutes or so) in order to see if there are any crabs in them. Once you trap a crab, check to see if it might be of legal size. If it is, bring the trap up to the pier, and be prepared to scoop it up with net, tongs or gloved (or even bare, if you're hardcore) hands.

Tips & Warnings

• Tongs (like barbecue tongs) or heavy gloves can help you to avoid getting pinched by any crabs you may have to handle.

• It can help to go crabbing with a partner. The partner can handle the net as you handle the lines or traps.

• Be sure to toss back any undersized blue crabs you may catch as soon as you land (or measure) them, as you do not want to be fined for unlawful harvesting.

• Don't forget your own comfort and well-being. You may need sunblock, hat, sunglasses, bug spray, etc.