Crabbing has been and is still one of the best activities for leisure time and bonding. It is being done all across the globe! All sorts of crabs are being waited upon when the right season comes. It is not only a fun and creative way of recreational activity, but it is also a unique adventure to get yourself a full stomach.
However, over the years, the crabs have become more adaptive to the annual purge in their community. In a sense, they have become more innovative and developed strategies not to get themselves killed and showered with butter. It is like they have now anticipated what will take place during the crabbing season and managed to find ways to outsmart humans.
The crabs have increased the difficulty of the game. Unfortunately, we might have the tips and hacks on how to let them lose their own game.
WHAT IS CRABBING?
Before we begin to analyze our game plan, let us first find out what we are dealing with. Let us broaden our knowledge and understand the nature of crabs and what crabbing is.
Globally, crabbing has now been considered to be a commercial business. As well as a recreational activity for family and friends. In a simple equation, crabbing is a method of catching these crustaceans and consuming them afterward.
As simple as it may seem and sound, specific precautionary values are needed to be mindful of. You can not go crabbing anytime and anywhere you want. Some particular rules and regulations can put you behind bars if you do not abide by them.
Rules and Regulations About Crabbing
Wherever you may be, one of the first things you must always check is the legality of what you are about to do. Is it legal to go crabbing in your area? Check the laws in your locality and find out if it is safe to go and catch some crabs. This is a vital initial step to take since each city, state, or country has its laws about some issues, particularly on catching crustaceans in your area.
What is the Scope of the Law About Crab Catching?
The law consists of the type of gender you are only allowed to catch. Some places allow both genders of crabs. In contrast, others may only permit either the male crab or the female crab.
Another of which is the number of crabs you are allowed to catch and keep. Laws in different places usually indicate a specific number that is only given for the catchers to follow. Do not be reckless because some areas are rigorous when enforcing these rules. You might think that no authority is available to check and count how many crabs you caught. Well, think again and be careful because you might be counting the hours you will spend for community service.
Next, the size of the crab also has its limitations. There is a particular weight limit for each crab that allows you to keep them or not. This, again, depends on where you are located.
Lastly, the number and design of the traps you are going to use is also a factor that can be penalized.
Follow These Rules!
It is essential to always abide by your locality’s rules. Regardless of how irrational you may think it is, it still does not excuse you from following them. No matter how silly they may sound, it is always best to follow the rules and regulations if you want to be legal and away from any unnecessary consequences. Besides, the rules and regulations will not hinder you from catching a sufficient amount of crabs. If you are technical and skilled when it comes to grabbing, you can guarantee yourself a bucket full of meaty crabs.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CRABS
To catch some crabs, you need to think like a crab. However, which crab? There are a lot of variations of crabs. They embody different characteristics and qualities. However, some kinds of crabs are deadly and are poisonous. In short, not safe to put on a plate. So, what are the types of crabs that are safe for consumption? Let us get to know them.
1. Red Frog Crab
The Red Frog Crab is also known as the Spanner Crab. It can weigh as heavy as up to 900 grams and can grow as long as 15 cm.
2. Bairdi Crab
The Bairdi Crab is commonly known as the Tanner Crab. This type of crab has greater longevity compared to other kinds of crabs. Amazingly, it can live for up to a decade. In its life span, it can weigh as heavy as 1.8 kg.
3. European Spider Crab
The European Spider Crap is popularly called the Spiny Spider Crab or Poisonous Spider Crab. This particular species of crab is the best-seller in commercial businesses. They are also recognized for their ability to migrate long distant places. The Spiny Spider Crab can travel up to 160 km in the distance in a short span of only eight months. It has weird-looking features and is commonly found crawling in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
4. Japanese Spider Crab
The Japanese Spider Crab needs no more nicknames. Since it can be easily recognized and remembered through one unique characteristic: its captivating, unique, long legs, its legs can extend up to 3.8 meters and length. Not only that, it can even weigh as much as 19 kilograms. Like the Bairdi Crab, it can live longer than any crabs. Even longer than the Bairdi Crab, for it can live up to a century.
5. Atlantic Rock Crab
The Atlantic Rock Crab is also called the Cancer Irroratus. It belongs to be one of the most colorful crustaceans that inhabit the eastern coast of North America. Another fish that is commercially bought.
6. Blue Crabs
The beautiful, blue-green-colored crabs are frequent on the Eastern coast of the United States. These crabs range from 3.5 to 5.5 inches in size, even larger. Although they have a beautiful shade of blue, blue crabs also change to a reddish color once they are cooked.
The meat on these crabs is tender and sweet, not surprising that they are the heavily harvested animals on the planet. They are bottom-dwelling omnivores whose males can reach up to nine inches in the width of their shells.
7. Coconut Crabs
The Coconut Crab also called the robber crab or the palm thief is the largest land-living anthropoid in the world. It can weigh up to nine pounds and is sixteen inches long.
These crabs, aside from delighting in coconuts, eat meats, nuts, fruits, and seeds. But one thing that makes them unique is their inability to survive for long periods of time underwater. The truth is, they will then drown if they are underwater for too long.
8. Stone Crabs
Stone crabs have literally very hard claws and they have a lot of meat on the inside. Although, only their claws are eaten by crabs and regenerate their claws every eighteen months. Oftentimes, fishermen twist off a claw and toss the crabs back into the water, with only one claw to defend themselves.
Keep in mind that by law, stone crabs have to be boiled for seven minutes. Then they must be frozen or placed on ice to prevent the iodine taste to happen.
9. Horseshoe Crabs
Uniquely different because of their shape, the Horseshoe crabs have been existing for some 500 million years. Although their shell-to-meat ratio is relatively small, they are still edible and very tasty. They are very commonly found on Florida beaches, and they have a spike-like tail that many people consider dangerous, even though it is completely harmless.
10. Hermit Crabs
With roughly over 1,100 species, Hermit crabs are often purchased as pets for children since these crabs are fun to play with and very small.
They have gastropod shells that hide their soft abdomen as they grow larger. Without these shells, they are open to a predator's attack. Also, they are very social and live in colonies that are large.
The list can go on and on if I may add more. However, that would take us days to cover. So, I will leave that as your assignment to do. I will now bring you to the primary focus of this article, which is the tips and ways on how to go crabbing effectively.
HOW DO YOU CATCH CRABS RIGHT?
The first thing is first if we want to catch some crabs, we need the right gear. Of course, because we would not want to be bitten by those claws of the crabs. So, here are some essential tips to remember when it comes to preparing your crab traps.
Preparing Your Crab Traps
If there is one thing that you should never miss out on when you go hunt for some crabs, that would be your Crab Traps. Furthermore, to have a successful crabbing adventure, you need a crab trap that is effective and can guarantee multiple catches.
One of the best and well-used crab traps is the Topless Crab Trap. If you need a crab trap that works well and can keep up with your demands, this is the equipment to use. There are multiple reasons to back up why topless crab traps work best.
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- It is convenient to carry and store on the boat. It is lightweight and relatively easy to transfer from one place to another. You will not have a hard time transporting the topless crab trap on and off the boat. Not to mention that it is fairly easy to clean.
- It does not give you a hard time taking out the crabs from the trap. While the conventional box trap can guarantee multiple catches, it is hard to take out the crabs from the box trap at the end of the catch.
- Executes a secure closing technique to keep the crabs inside the trap. It automatically closes tight when you pull the line up the surface. Most importantly, as you pull the topless crab trap up, the momentum you exert keeps the crab sticking at the base of the crab trap.
Now that we have our crab trap settled. Let us now figure out the best bait to use to lure in those hungry and meaty crabs.
Effective Crab Bait
If we think of it, deciding what bait to use is not a debatable topic. Since most crabs are scavengers and would eat almost anything, incredibly when hungry, there is a long list of bait to catch some crabs. Each one has their own experience of catching crabs and can share a learning experience with baits. It can be fish, eels, a bull’s lips, and many more. But, two baits have been proven and tested to attract the most crabs at any time and anywhere. These are:
Razor Clams and Chicken Necks.
One important thing to remember when it comes to your crab baits is that they should always be presented freshly. Although, crabs hunt their meals using more sense of smell rather than their sense of sight. So, it is always recommended to ensure a fresher bait at all costs. They are not only crabs, and they are hungry crabs. Just like people, the better it smells, the better it will taste for our stomach.
Tips on How to Ensure a Perfect Bait
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- As much as possible, do not prepare or buy bait that has been frozen for a long amount of time.
- Personally, it is best to purchase your bait at a chicken farm for the chicken necks rather than going to the market. As for the razor clams, the fresh seafood market is fine.
- Do not buy your baits days or weeks ago before your crabbing adventure. If you want your baits to stay fresh until it reaches the waters, it is best to buy your baits a day before. If possible, you can pass by the farm or market to get your baits before you head to your destination.
- Change your bait in the trap as soon as you notice discoloration and other differences from its original appearance.
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We are almost there. Now that you have your crab trap and crab bait ready, all that is left is to learn the techniques to catch your crabs.
Techniques on Catching Crabs Right
The first thing you need to do is identify the kind of crab you are to catch. Next, it would be an advantage if you did some basic research about the crab. Most importantly, the season that it is dominantly out in the waters. You do not want to waste time setting up your traps and buying your baits and catch nothing.
Second, know where you should be out for crabbing adventure. In line with this, if you are not yet aware of the best places to go crabbing, ask the locals around your place. Do not just impulsively choose a random destination and expect to spot crabs there. To save you time and effort, determine the perfect place to catch crabs.
Third, prepare your crab traps and crab baits the night before the big day. You can either place the baits inside the traps the night before you go about or have someone accompany you and have them place the baits on the traps as you go to your destination. Also, when you drop your crab traps in the water, always keep an acceptable amount of space (around 4-5 ft will do) between traps. Afterward, sit back and wait for a good few minutes before picking up the traps.
THE TRICK!
Lastly, everyone has their style and magic when it comes to their crabbing strategy. However, this technique has been used popularly and has been proven to be effective. It is called the “Pick, dump, drop.” After waiting for a good few minutes, the next thing you will need to do is to do this routine in a domino effect.
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- Starting with the first trap you dropped, pick it up and see if there are crabs inside. If there are not, drop the trap back in the water and move to the second trap, and so on. However, if it contains smaller crabs not ideal for keeping, drop it back down still. But, if it includes what you are looking for, dump the crabs and drop them back.
It seems that you are all set to go about your crabbing adventure!
