How to Catch Blue Crabs
Ranked #365 in Sports & Recreation, #13,584 overall
Simple Techniques for Catching & Cooking Blue Crabs
Blue crabs inhabit tidal mud flats, moving into the shallows with the incoming tides to feed in marshy areas and then back to deeper water as the tide recedes. They are caught either in specialty crab traps or with a hand line and dip net, and can be caught either from the shoreline or from a boat.
Look for blue claw crabs in tidal waters around bridges, docks, piers and jetties. Rivers and creeks with muddy bottoms and a slowly moving current are production shoreline locations for finding crabs. Blue claw crabs are most active during the incoming and outgoing tides, especially in the early morning and in the late afternoon. Here are a few tips for finding and catching blue claw crabs.
Photos by the Author
How To Catch Blue Crabs
Throw Out A Hand Line
Crab traps or hand line with dip net
Crab Bait
Basket for holding captured blue claw crabsA very effective method for catching blue claw crabs is as simple as tying a piece of raw chicken to a weighted line, tossing it into the water to drift down and along the bottom. Blue claw crabs are scavengers, and any crab in the area will quickly find the bait. Check the line frequently, feeling for the tugs from a feeding crab. Sometimes, the crab will try to run off with the bait, pulling the hand line taunt. Slowly and gently, pull the hand line back towards you. Take your time and do not pull in the line too quickly, or the crab will let go and swim away.
As the crab slowly gets near the surface, scoop it up and out of the water with the dip net. If crab drops off, release the hand line and let the bait sink back down to the bottom. The hungry blue claw crab often comes back, pulling the line out again in another attempt to steal the bait and giving you another chance to catch it. With a little practice, this hand lining technique can net a basket of blue claw crabs.
Using Crab Traps
Tie a piece of chicken to the bottom of the crab trap and lower it to the river bottom. The doors of the trap will open, and the crabs will gather to feed on the chicken parts. Pull up the crab trap periodically to check for crabs.
Blue Crab Bait
Some crabbers prefer oily chunks of mackerel and herring, fish heads or baitfish including minnows and mummichogs. These are also effective baits, but can be messy and a little harder to obtain
Handling Your Crab Catch
Keep your captured blue claw crabs in a basket or empty bucket (a wooden bushel fruit basket works great), out of the sun and under a damp rag. Do not keep crabs in a bucket of water or they will die quickly.Handle blue claw crabs carefully; their claws can give a nasty pinch. Hold a crab with tongs, or grab it by the base of its back flipper. Control the crab by gently pining it to the ground with the pole of the dip net, and then grasp the base of its flipper with your thumb and forefinger. Hold the crab by its flipper with its claws away from you, and it cannot reach far enough with its claws to pinch you.
Learn the differences between male and female blue claw crabs. Releasing the females and keeping only the males is a good practice to help ensure future generations of crabs.
Blue Claw Crabs: Tips and Fun Facts
- The claw tips of male blue crabs are tinged with blue. Female crabs have red tipped claws. The marking on the underside of the male crab is long and slender, and resembles a 'T'.
- Female blue claw crabs mate only once in their lifetime, but can spawn several times. The marking on the underside of the female crab is rounded with a small point towards the center.
- A large female blue claw crab can lay up to 8 million eggs.
- Blue claw crabs grow by molting, or shedding their hard exterior shell. Freshly molted crabs are commonly known as 'softies' or soft shelled crabs.
- A crab that is ready to molt is known as a 'shedder' or a 'peeler'.
- A blue claw crab reaches maturity in one year, and can live up to three years.
- Check with your state for health advisories, local rules and regulations regarding the fishing season, size requirements, catch limits and other restrictions for catching and eating blue claw crabs.
You'll Need A Crab Net
Telescopic Handle Fishing Fish Landing Folding Netting Net
Amazon Price: $19.89 (as of 06/01/2012)
Blue Claw Crab
Coastal MD Blue Crab Metal Wall Art Decor
Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 06/01/2012)
The Classic "Snap Trap" Crab Trap
Snap Trap Crab Trap
Amazon Price: $26.31 (as of 06/01/2012)
Blue Claw Crabs - In the News
- Blue Crabs pound out 10-7 win in Skeeters' homestand finale
- The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs stranded 15 runners in their game against the Sugar Land Skeeters on Thursday night. But the ten that scored were enough to deliver a 10-7 victory in the finale of the Skeeters' homestand at Constellation Field.
- As blue crabs rebound, Maryland takes chefs on field trips to promote them
- He bobbed and weaved in a boat on the Choptank River, off Cambridge on the Eastern Shore, the blue crabs' front door. Newly relocated to the District, he was eager to see the living crab, to learn about its biology, and to understand why his restaurant ...
- York Revolution Take Series Against Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Contributor Network ? 18 hours ago The York Revolution, based in York, Pennsylvania, had a four game home series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs starting on Thursday, May 24, 2012 and ending on Sunday, May 27. The Revs really needed some wins ...
- Skeeters fall to Blue Crabs
- The Blue Crabs rallied back with four runs in the third, one in the fourth, and two in the sixth. The Blue Crabs scored one more run in the ninth on Matt Padgett's RBI double to make the score 8-3.
What Is Your Favorite Way to Prepare Blue Crabs?
Cooking Crabs
Two Different Ways to Prepare Crabs
The Classic Crab Boil
To a large stock pot, add 3 or 4 quarts of cold water. Stir in a liberal amount of seasonings, such as Old Bay or Zatarain's Crab Boil. Cover the pot and bring the seasioned water to a strong boil.
Using tongs, add the live crabs to the pot, one at a time. Push the crab down into the water before adding the next crab. Continue adding crabs to the boil, making sure that each crab is fully submerged in the seasoned water.
Bring the water back to full rolling boil, cooking the crabs for 15 to 20 minutes and until the shells turn red. Remove the crabs from stock pot with the tongs or by lifting out the steamer basket, and allow the crabs to cool completely before eating, or use the meat for other crab dishes such as my Mother's crab cake recipe!
Steamed Crabs
Elevate the crabs above the briny boil on a steamer basket, and steam in the covered pot for about 20 minutes or until the shells turn red. Remove the crabs from the pot and let them cool completely.
The Equipment
Bayou Classic Stockpot with Lid & Basket
Bayou Classic 4042 42-Quart All-Purpose Aluminum Stockpot with Steam and Boil Basket
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 06/01/2012)
A classic steamer / boiler combination. Great for cooking crabs, lobsters, shrimp, pasta and vegetables.
Steaming Blue Claw Crabs
Mom's Crab Cake Recipe
- Serves: Makes 8 Crab Cakes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
After a day of successful crabbing and the catch was steamed, my mom meticulously cleans the crabs to extract every bit of tasty meat. When the bowl is piled high, the ultimate reward is a batch of her famous crab cakes - at least, they are famous in our house. I hope you enjoy her recipe as much as we do.
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 slices of firm white bread with the crust removed and torn into pieces
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- slightly beaten
- 2 tbsp shallots - chopped fine
- 2 tbsp parsley - coarsely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup butter (for clarified butter)
- 1 lb of fresh blue claw crabmeat
Instructions
Chop the bread in a food processor, reducing the pieces to fine breadcrumbs.
In a separate bowl, combine the mayo, egg, shallots, parsley, lemon juice, mustard and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Fold in the crabmeat and 1 cup of the processed breadcrumbs. Reserve the rest of the breadcrumbs.
Shape approximately 1/3 cup of the crab cake mixture into a patty. Coat the patty with the reserved breadcrumbs and transfer to a plate or cookie sheet.
To make the clarified butter, microwave the butter in a covered glass bowl until melted (approximately 1 to 1 ½ minutes). Let stand and cool for two minutes. Skim the foam of the top and discard.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp of the clarified butter and 2 tbsp of oil. Add a crab cake, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and delicious. Turn, and cook on the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the pan to a warm oven.
Wipe out the skillet, then add the butter and oil to cook the next round of crab cakes. Serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Blue Claw Crab - Lump Crab Meat
2 Lb. Blue Crab Meat - Jumbo
Amazon Price: (as of 06/01/2012)
Premium Jumbo Male Hard Crabs
Premium Jumbo Male Hard Crabs (Steamed), 1 Dozen
Amazon Price: (as of 06/01/2012)
Soft Shell Blue Claw Crabs
Soft Shell BLUE CRAB (2 DOZEN)
Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 06/01/2012)
Maryland Crabs - In the News
- Maryland launches 'True Blue' promotion for restaurants that serve homegrown crabs
- Vilnit has been bringing chefs out onto the bay and to crab picking houses to convince them of the superior quality of Maryland crab meat. He says 84 restaurants have signed on to the program so far. To be certified, 75 percent of the crab used by ...
- Datebook
- 1 male crabs, Maryland crab soup, corn on the cob, beef barbecue, hot dogs, draft beer, sodas and water. There will be a bake sale and cake raffle. Tickets are $60, $20 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for those younger than 3.
- Maryland Crab Season Off To Slow Start
- The Maryland Watermen's Association says the Maryland crab season is off to a slow start. The president of the organization, Larry Simns, reports that there are a lot of smaller crabs but not many big ones. An annual winter survey found blue crabs at ...
- Datebook
- 1 male crabs, Maryland crab soup, corn on the cob, beef barbecue, hot dogs, draft beer, sodas and water. There will also be a bake sale and cake raffle. Tickets are $60, $20 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for those younger than 3.
Blue Claw Crabs - Vintage Metal Sign
Blue Crabs Vintage Metal Art Retro Tin Sign
Amazon Price: $32.00 (as of 06/01/2012)
Did You Like This Lens?
This module only appears with actual data when viewed on a live lens. The favorite and lensroll options will appear on a live lens if the viewer is a member of Squidoo and logged in.
Thanks for stopping by!
-
-
flicker
May 25, 2012 @ 12:22 pm | delete
- Have never tried catching crabs, but this sounds like fun (and work, too!).
-
-
-
JaguarJulie May 10, 2012 @ 9:28 am | delete
- I've never tried to catch a blue claw crab. Sure do appreciate them in crab cakes!
-
-
-
CrabbinMan
May 1, 2012 @ 2:55 pm | delete
- Great article! Here are some great tips to catch blue crabs, check out crabtips.com.
-
-
-
A-Redneck
Apr 21, 2012 @ 9:18 am | delete
- All I can say is "wow" blue crabs really are blue. It is amazing what I learn from visiting the many other lensmasters here at Squidoo. There are so many cultures, countries, ideals, and ideas in these pages that they are a constant source of fascination to me. And by the way, I love your articles, they are always top notch.
-
-
-
Tipi
Jan 21, 2012 @ 11:42 am | delete
- Stopping back to review your Mom's recipe for crab cakes. We did have crab for Christmas this year and thought of you. I was reviewing the bait choices for catching blue crab and was again fascinated that you use cheap chicken parts. Then I looked at the other bait choices and don't thing I know what a mummichog is, will have to look that up...now I know its a little fish that lives along the coast from Newfoundland to Florida!
-
- Load More
Crab Traps, Crab Nets
And Other Fun Stuff
Danielson Fold-Up Square Glow Crab Trap (24-Inch)
Danielson's exclusive FTC crab trap is a favorite more...0 points
South Bend Crab Trap Sq 10.5 X 10.5 X 10.5
All South Bend crap traps are manufactured accordi more...0 points
Promar Collapsible Crawfish / Crab Trap 24"x18"x8" - American Maple Inc TR-101, Fishing Accessories
- Promar Collapsible Crawfish / Crab Trap 24" more...0 points
Folding Crab Trap 24''
full package for crab fishing, all you need is bai more...0 points
Willapa Marine Complete Crab Pot Kit
Willapa's Complete Crab Pot Kit comes with everyth more...0 points
Protoco 11 x 13-Inch Crawfish Trap
The CT13R Crawfish Trap was designed for the perso more...0 points
Danielson Conical Dia Glow Crab Pot (34-Inch)
This easy to use conical trap allows crabs access more...0 points
Danielson Crab Snare (Small)
Exceptionally versatile, the crab snare may be cas more...0 points
Protoco 19 x 24-Inch Shrimp/Crawfish Trap
The ST4SP Shrimp/Crawfish Trap was designed for th more...0 points
Crab Boiling Gear
Blue Claw Crab - Brass Door Knocker
Blue Crab Door Knocker Brass
Amazon Price: $120.00 (as of 06/01/2012)
More Ways To Catch Fish
How to Catch Blue Crabs
Blue claw crabs are found in tidal waters and coastal tributaries from New England down the coast to Florida and around to the Gulf of Mexico. They are fun t...
How to Tie a Fluke Rig
Fluke, also known as summer flounder, is a bottom dwelling fish that is relatively easy to catch throughout most of its range. Small fluke resemble flounder ...
Catching Stripers with Sea Clams
Catching Stripers with Sea Clams: Fishing for striped bass is challenging. There are times when the conditions seem right and the birds are working the bait...
Drifting Bait to Catch Striped Bass
Fishing for striped bass in fast moving water is a lot fun, and here is an effective method for catching stripers on light tackle. One of my favorite places...
Catching Stripers with Sand Worms
Striped bass are aggressive feeders, attacking plugs and lures when they are in the feeding mode. Though they are opportunistic feeders, there are times when...
Shucking Oysters
Every oyster shucker has their favorite oyster shucking knife, and each will tout the design benefits of their personal choice in weaponry when it comes to &...
Trolling for Stripers and Blues
Trolling for striped bass and bluefish is a very effective method for covering large areas in search of actively feeding fish, and trolling can be especially...
More DIY Projects
Featured Food Lenses
How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak
The rib eye steak is arguably the juiciest, best tasting cut of beef. And it also one of the most expensive. Make the most of your investment with this strai...
The Best Baked Stuffed Lobster Recipe - New England Style
Lobster is a special culinary treat, whether ordered at a seafood restaurant or purchased at a seafood retailer for cooking at home. While a steamed or boile...
Shucking Oysters
Every oyster shucker has their favorite oyster shucking knife, and each will tout the design benefits of their personal choice in weaponry when it comes to &...
The Best Pan Fried Burger
Burger aficionados claim that nothing tastes better than a hamburger charbroiled over an open flame. And while grilling produces a great tasting burger and i...
How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich
There is a little secret to making a great peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a brown bag lunch, and the key is in the construction. When building any stru...
Godiva Dark Chocolate
So much Dark Chocolate. So little time! Chocolate is the perfect gift for every occasion. And for every occasion, Godiva Dark Chocolate is the gift of choic...
The Tom Terrific Sandwich (and Turkey Pot Pie too!)
The Thanksgiving holiday means spending time with family and friends, and reflecting upon the good things in life. Thanksgiving also means lots of good food:...
Our Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes
When we were growing up, coming home from school in early December often meant walking into a kitchen filled with the wonderful aroma of freshly baked cookie...
Cool Kitchen Tools and Gadgets
The best kitchen gadgets are the kitchen tools that you like to use: they make kitchen chores easier, save time and are often just plain fun to use. Quirky a...
Stocking a Home Bar
With the right liquors, a few mixers, a little quality barware and some fresh ingredients, you'll have all of the ingredients for a fully stocked bar that ma...
by AnthonyAltorenna
I enjoy creating Squidoo Lens on topics of personal interest including woodworking, fishing & gardening. Most of the Lens photos were taken to show th... more »
- 96 featured lenses
- Winner of 43 trophies!
- Top lens » Salvaged Wood for DIY Projects
Explore related pages
- How to Tie a Fluke Rig How to Tie a Fluke Rig
- Catching Stripers with Sea Clams Catching Stripers with Sea Clams
- Trolling for Stripers and Blues Trolling for Stripers and Blues
- Catching Stripers with Sand Worms Catching Stripers with Sand Worms
- Drifting Bait to Catch Striped Bass Drifting Bait to Catch Striped Bass
- Shucking Oysters Shucking Oysters
Fold-Up Portable Crab Trap
Danielson Pacific FTC Crab trap: 4 Door
Amazon Price: $31.99 (as of 06/01/2012)
ShurHold Crab Net
Shurhold 1822 12" x 13" x 15" Crab Net
Amazon Price: $17.39 (as of 06/01/2012)
Bayou Classic Stainless Steel Stockpot with Steam / Boil Basket
Bayou Classic 1144 44-Quart All Purpose Stainless Steel Stockpot with Steam and Boil Basket
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 06/01/2012)
This All-Purpose Stainless Steel Stockpot is the perfect addition to any cooking environment indoors or outdoors! The Steam-Boil-Fry Stockpot has an indentation that raises the basket 2-3 inches above the bottom for steaming or boiling.
