Florida Blue Crabs: Where They Are and How to Catch Them

Blue crabs are not only tasty, but also fun to catch. I have been crabbing ever since I can remember. With that being said, I have also tried every known method except commercial crabbing. There are several advantages to recreational crabbing in Florida. First off, catching your own crab feast saves a ton of money. Crabbing is also a very cheap activity for those on a budget. Also, crab meat is healthy for you, and my favorite method is sure to give you plenty of exercise.

All you need to catch crabs is a dip net with at least a 4 foot pole, a bucket or cooler of ice, fishing sting, rocks or anything you can weigh your bait down with, gloves, bait, and a head light. Most people who fish even rarely have some of these supplies already, but even if you don’t for less then $20.00 you will be able to get everything you need. The cheapest place I have found to purchase a dip net, glove, head light, and even a cooler is Wal-Mart. But, any bait shop sells the supplies you need. Keep in mind that even though you only need a 4 foot pole on your net, the deeper your net is the better. Crabs can easily climb out of a short net, if your not fast. You also want to make sure you don’t have large spacing in your net. A small mesh net works best, due to the fact that even larger crabs can work their way though a larger mesh.

Now that you have everything to crab with, you need to know where the crabs are. Every crabber has a favorite spot, so if you see an area where other crabbers are, you know that area must have crabs. The best way to find your own spot is to look for creeks with salt or brackish water. Canals, and marshes are also great hot spots for blue crabs. Crabs do not stay put in areas with sandy bottoms, so any area that has a grassy bottom is good, and the more grass the better. Even though crabs can be found in stagnant water, they are much more plentiful in tidal waters.

The best time to catch Blue crabs is during the night, or early morning before the sun comes up during a low tide. That is why you need a head light. A head light is light a flash light, and is fits around you forehead on a band. This will allow you to keep your hands free, and at the same time have light to see what your doing. Once you have your spot picked out, check your local paper to see when the low tide is for that night. You don’t want to get their at 6:00 pm if the low tide isn’t until 1:00am. You will want to arrive at your spot at least 30 minutes before low tide or after. This isn’t the best time to catch the crab, but it allows you time to trample around the water looking for hole, or drop offs. It also allows you time to set your bait out. You will want to make sure the water your crabbing in is only 2 to 3 feet deep.

The best bait to use is poultry. Chicken back, and necks are cheap, but you can use and type of poultry. You can also use fish, beef (such as cow lips, and ribs), and organs (such as hearts and livers). The more rotten your bait is, the stronger the smell, and that attracts even more crabs. I prefer to use chicken backs that have been setting out for a day or two. However, fresh bait will also work. Using fishing string tie your bait to a rock, or something heavy to weigh it down. I like using rocks because they are natural, and if I loose it, I know I haven’t caused any harm to any other wildlife. As you walking around looking for holes, and drop offs to avoid (these can be dangerous) place your bait in grassy patches. Make sure you spread your bait out to attract the most crab. After you have placed all your bait, go back to shore and wait until the tide has been out one hour.

It is now time to catch some blue crabs. Carefully, and quietly walk though the water, looking in all the grassy patches, not just the ones you baited up. When you spot the crab slowly try to scoop him up. He will jet when he sees the net, so slowly edge the net toward him, then swiftly scoop if he starts to bolt on you. Once you have him in the net, take him to your bucket. You will want a little bit of water in the bucket, to keep him alive, or if your using a cooler of ice he might die, but will be safe to eat. Carefully shake your net if you see the crab trying to climb out. To put the crab in the bucket turn the net upside down over the bucket, and shake. If the crab just will not come out of the net, you will have to remove it. To do so, using a stick press down on the back of his shell. Do not press to hard, you do not want to kill him if you don’t have ice to put him on. By pressing on him back with a stick you will prevent him from flipping over and pinching you. Wearing your gloves place your thumb on the lower back of his shell, and then your index finger directly under your thumb on the opposite side of the shell. Make sure your other fingers are out of the way. The gloves will not prevent a hard pinch, but will hopefully keep the skin from breaking if you do get pinched. Once the crab is out of the net, head back to the grassy spots, to look for another.

When you get home you will want to rise the crabs off before cooking. The best way is to use a garden hose outside, and keep filling the bucket up with water, then carefully pouring it out until the water runs clean. Do not cook or eat any dead crab unless you keep them on a cooler of ice. Now using a large pot, bring your water to a boil, and place the crabs in the pot by using kitchen utensils, or long handled pliers. You will want to boil the crab until the shell is red. Once the shell is red the meat is safe to eat, or freeze for latter use.

Caution: Crabbing is addicting! For less then a $20.00 investment you will have tons of fun, and save hundreds of dollars. Blue crabs cost anywhere from $2.00 – $4.00 for a whole fresh blue crab. Look at all the money you’ll save, yet you will still be eating like a king.