Catching crabs is a fantastic way to enjoy nature, have fun with family or friends, and maybe even bring home a delicious seafood dinner. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to sharpen your crabbing skills, this guide will walk you through the best ways to catch crabs, from simple methods to more advanced techniques.
Understanding the Basics of Crabbing
Before you grab your gear, it’s helpful to know a few essentials about crabs and their habits:
– Where to find crabs: Crabs love saltwater bays, marshes, piers, jetties, and tidal areas with brackish water.
– Best time to catch crabs: Early summer and fall are prime seasons when water temperatures range from 50-70°F. Crabs are often more active at night.
– Tide matters: High tide or rising tide is the best time to catch crabs since they become more active and easier to catch.
– Bait choices: Fresh, raw bait like fish, chicken, bacon, ham, or clams works best. Avoid cooked bait.
– Regulations: Always check local rules about licenses, size limits, and catch limits to keep crabbing legal and sustainable.
Simple Ways to Catch Crabs
1. Catching Crabs with a Dip Net
This is the easiest and most beginner-friendly method:
– Find a dock, pier, or jetty where crabs are known to hang out.
– Use polarized sunglasses to spot crabs better underwater.
– Slowly lower your long-handled dip net straight down and move it along the bottom.
– When you see a crab, quickly scoop it up by sliding the net underneath.
– Transfer the crab into a bucket, handling it carefully from behind the claws.
– Repeat until you have enough or reach your limit.
This method works best during high tide or in shallow grassy areas where crabs are visible.
2. Crabbing with a Baited Line
Fishing for crabs with a handline is fun and simple:
– Tie a small weight about 12 inches above the end of your line.
– Attach a baited hook (raw chicken, fish, or clam) below the weight.
– Lower the line off a dock or pier until it touches the bottom.
– Wait for a crab to grab the bait, then slowly pull the line up.
– Use a dip net to scoop up the crab as you bring the line in.
– Remove the crab from the hook and place it in your bucket.
– Re-bait and repeat.
This method is great for kids and casual crabbing but can be time-consuming if you want a big catch.
3. Making a DIY Crab Snare
For a hands-on approach, try making a crab snare:
– Bend a wire coat hanger into a 6-inch circle.
– Tie fishing line or string across the circle to create a mesh.
– Attach a long handle by bending the hook part.
– Secure bait inside the mesh cage.
– Lower the snare into the water and wait for crabs to enter.
– Lift the snare carefully and transfer crabs to your bucket.
This is especially handy for crabbing off bridges, docks, or piers without needing a net underneath.
Using Crab Traps for Bigger Hauls
If you want to catch more crabs, baited traps are the way to go. Here are some popular types:
– Crab pots: Wire cube-shaped traps with bait inside. They collapse when pulled up and have a buoy to mark their location. Leave them overnight and pull up slowly.
– Collapsible crab traps: These fold flat for easy storage and work like crab pots. Great for shore or pier crabbing.
– Crab baskets: Simple metal traps shaped like small trash cans that taper inward to keep crabs inside.
– Minnow traps: Small collapsible traps good for catching smaller crabs.
Always check local regulations for trap sizes, bait types, and marking requirements before using traps.
Advanced Method: Trotlining for Crabs
Trotlining is a technique used to catch many crabs at once:
– Set two buoys about 100 feet apart and anchor them.
– Run a main line between the buoys.
– Tie smaller drop lines with bait every 2-3 feet along the main line.
– Let the line sink overnight.
– Slowly pull in the line in the morning and use a dip net to catch crabs as they come up.
This method covers a large area but requires a boat and some experience, so beginners should start with simpler methods.
Tips to Improve Your Crabbing Success
– Use fresh bait and crush it slightly to release attractive juices.
– Wait at least 30 minutes before checking traps to give crabs time to enter.
– Measure your catch and release undersized crabs or females carrying eggs.
– Keep crabs cool and moist; they don’t stay fresh alive for long.
– Cook your crabs the same day for the best taste.
– Avoid crowded piers and docks to reduce trap tangles and competition.
Handling Crabs Safely
When you catch a crab, approach it from behind to avoid its claws. If you need to hold it, grasp the crab firmly but gently at the back of its shell or by the last leg to prevent pinches. Wearing gloves can help protect your hands.
Catching crabs is a rewarding and enjoyable activity that anyone can learn. With the right bait, tools, and a bit of patience, you’ll be reeling in tasty crabs in no time. So grab your gear, head to the water, and start your crabbing adventure today!