How to Catch Maryland Crabs
Maryland crabs, otherwise known as Blue Crabs, are the most common species of marine animal in the Chesapeake Bay, which straddles the coast of Virginia and Maryland. The omnivorous, scavenging blue crab is easily recognized by its blue claws and is the official crustacean of Maryland. It is estimated that there are over 400 million blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay. Crabbing for Maryland blue crabs can be a fun and successful family activity if you use the correct techniques.
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Things You'll Need
- Long-handled net
- Cooler, bucket or basket
- Ice
- 5- to 6-foot long string
- Small stick
- Bait
- Small net
- Crab trap
Instructions
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Prepare to go crabbing
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1
Look for locations where Maryland blue crabs can be caught such as piers, docks, from the shore or bridges. Locations such as the Pointe Lookout Area, Chesapeake Beach, Wye River and Crab Alley Bay are all common locations for Maryland blue crab.
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2
Check the Recreational Crab Regulations for Chesapeake Bay for rules and regulations prior to crabbing for Maryland blue crab. Find out to see if you are required to get a license.
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3
Purchase your supplies and bait. Raw chicken is the most common bait; however, blue crabs will eat most any other raw meat that is presented to them.
Crabbing with a net
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Walk along a cove or shoreline where crabbing is allowed and look for blue crabs.
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Move up to the crab when you find it and dip your long-handled net into the water. Scoop up the crab with the net.
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Place the crab into a cooler with ice and close the lid, or place it in a basket.
Drop line
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Tie one end of a 5- to 6-foot string onto a stick. Take the other end of the string and tie it securely around a piece of raw chicken or other bait.
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Drop the bait end of the string into the water and hold onto the stick. Wait until you feel tugging on the stick, which will indicate that a crab is eating the bait.
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Raise the line very slowly and carefully to the surface by wrapping it carefully around the stick. Go slowly so that the crab is not startled and scared away. Continue winding the string around the stick until the crab is hanging in the air.
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10
Drop the crab into your bucket or cooler. If you have a net, use it to grab the crab from the string and then drop it into the bucket. Alternatively, if you are crabbing with friends, ask one of them to hold the bucket or net the crab for you.
Crab traps
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Tie your chicken pieces or other bait to the bottom of your crab trap so that it is secure.
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Secure your rope to the trap. Ensure that the rope is sturdy and put the trap into the water by lowering it from the dock or your boat if you are using one.
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Wait until the crab enters the trap to feed. Pull the string and lift the trapped crab from the water. Drop the crab into your bucket or cooler.
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Tips & Warnings
Only keep those crabs that you intend to eat. Throw all others back.
Turn your crab over to determine if it is male or female. Harvesting of female Maryland blue crabs is prohibited unless it has a soft shell.
Never eat a crab that has died prior to cooking. Do not leave the crab in a bucket or basket for long periods of time.
