Crab fishing, or crabbing, is a popular pastime in Maryland. Fun for the whole family, crabbing is a relatively easy pastime. Done from pier, bridge, shore or boat, crabbing can yield a quick, tasty result. The Chesapeake Bay is rife with sumptuous, soft-shell Maryland Blue Crab, known as the Maryland State Crustacean since 1989.
Crabbing Licenses and Regulations
Crab season runs from April 1 through Dec. 15. No license is required for the recreational crabber using a dip net or hand-line from a pier, bridge, dock, shore or boat. A pier owner may set up to two pots for each privately owned pier. Crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries using a trot-line---baited length of 1,200 feet or less---collapsible pots (11 to 13), or eel pots (up to 10) for catching bait, requires a license. The license is $5 for residents, $10 for non-residents and $2 for those with a Bay Sport Fishing License or a Resident Senior Consolidated Fishing License. For $15, a residential crabbing boat license is available. It allows all passengers on a vessel to catch crabs for recreational purposes and replaces the need for individual licenses.
Blue Crab Facts
While the blue crab has a dappled brown shell, it is easily recognized by the brilliant blue color on its front claws. Mature females have claws with red tips. To distinguish sex, check the abdomen. The male abdomen is T-shaped and long. The mature female abdomen is rounded and the younger female abdomen is triangular. A male crab is usually larger than a female. A fully grown blue crab can reach up to 9 inches. Even with 10 legs, the blue crab cannot move forward but uses sideways movements as its main method of travel.
Recreational Crabbing Methods
The simplest method for the recreational crabber is the hand-line method. Take a short stick---8 to 12 inches---tie to it a length of string long enough to reach the bottom of your crabbing spot, weight the string at the end, bait the string and drop it in the water. Just like fishing, when you feel a tug, bring your line and your crab, slowly and carefully to shore. Bait for blue crabs includes raw chicken or turkey necks, raw fish heads, cow lips and eel. Bring a cooler of ice and water to store your live crabs until you can cook them. Other methods of crabbing include using a handled dip-net, collapsible baskets, crab pots and drop-nets.
Safety When Handling Crabs
The sharp claws of a crab can give you a nasty gash if you are not careful. A good pair of work gloves is a smart choice for handling a crab. If gloves are not available, always make sure to grab the crab's body from the back end. This is a safe method as the crab cannot reach up and back with its claws to nip your fingers.
Cooking and Eating Crabs
Crabs are simple to prepare. Simply boil or steam them until they turn bright red. Seasonings can be added to crabs when steaming. Never cook or eat a dead crabs. Never put cooked crab back in the container used to store them as its easy to contaminate the crab with bacteria. A multitude of recipes are available for crab meat, including crab cakes, soup, dip and seafood pasta.
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