We are passionate about crabbing. It's a wonderful family tradition!
The 2020 season has arrived! Stock up on supplies.
Crabbing is a fun activity that many people haven't yet realized. Many people have the wrong impression of crabbing, they think it is a painful, itchy, experience, but there is nothing further from the truth. With this hobby, you get a chance to add excitement to your life or provide yourself a fresh meal. You don't have to learn a lot before you can start, you just need to learn some basics and the rest you get to know once you start. This can be a perfect activity to do with family. Once you are done, you will get to enjoy your home caught dinner that is fresh off the docks with your family. One of our favorite websites is The Crabbing Zone!
Join the many families and that have bonded over a trip to the bay!
You will first need to check your local laws to see if you need a license. It is important because the laws of one place can be very different from another. You should also find more about any limits. Crabs have size limits that change every year, and you should always be updated to avoid any legal issues.
If the crab dies before you clean, you should not eat it. Once it is dead, poison is released and ruins the entire meat. Crabs are found in saltwater.
There are different options to go with when it comes to bait.
If the crab dies before you clean, you should not eat it. Once it is dead, poison is released and ruins the entire meat. Crabs are found in saltwater.
There are different options to go with when it comes to bait.
BAIT & TRAPS
Dead Fish – The fish should be of reasonable size, normally 6 inches to 1 foot. The common type of fish used are snapper blues, bunker, and sea robins. Make cuts on the fish to make the smell travel easily through the water.
Hot Dogs – They are commonly used because they are soft and crabs can easily tear them apart. They are also cheaper than the other options.
Chicken – chicken is less expensive than fish and a solid bait, crabs won't easily break it up and take it away. This is why it is a good idea to use chicken legs.
Meat – Any meat can be used
There are also different types of traps.
Weighted Hand lines/ drop lines
This is a rope that has a weighted hook on the end. The weight is there to keep the bait underwater. Once you put the bait on the hook, throw it about 8 to 12 feet out into the water, this is usually from a bank. You can also throw it from a boat.
Box Crab Traps
It is made out of wire like mesh and it has four sides, with flaps that open and close on the sides. Strings are then attached to the flaps and they all join at the ring that is located above the trap. There is a long string attached to the ring, and this is used in sealing the sides. The bait is placed inside and tied down. When the crab tries to get in and eat, the side traps close. Pyramid and Ring crab traps use the same principal.
Commercial Crab Traps
You must have a license before you can use these traps unless you are using them on a privately-owned dock. These traps are between two to three feet wide. They can stay in the water for days. It can be used to hold dozens of crabs because they hold large amounts of bait.
Hot Dogs – They are commonly used because they are soft and crabs can easily tear them apart. They are also cheaper than the other options.
Chicken – chicken is less expensive than fish and a solid bait, crabs won't easily break it up and take it away. This is why it is a good idea to use chicken legs.
Meat – Any meat can be used
There are also different types of traps.
Weighted Hand lines/ drop lines
This is a rope that has a weighted hook on the end. The weight is there to keep the bait underwater. Once you put the bait on the hook, throw it about 8 to 12 feet out into the water, this is usually from a bank. You can also throw it from a boat.
Box Crab Traps
It is made out of wire like mesh and it has four sides, with flaps that open and close on the sides. Strings are then attached to the flaps and they all join at the ring that is located above the trap. There is a long string attached to the ring, and this is used in sealing the sides. The bait is placed inside and tied down. When the crab tries to get in and eat, the side traps close. Pyramid and Ring crab traps use the same principal.
Commercial Crab Traps
You must have a license before you can use these traps unless you are using them on a privately-owned dock. These traps are between two to three feet wide. They can stay in the water for days. It can be used to hold dozens of crabs because they hold large amounts of bait.