Delicious and Dangerous
Big and Meaty Down Here
Crabbing in Maryland – How?
If catching crabs in Maryland is your goal, then this article is for you! It may sound easy, but don’t be fooled, there are plenty of tips and tricks that will make crabbing easier, as well as laws to follow.
Blue Crabs have been gathered commercially along the MD Chesapeake Bay since the mid-1800s, and are an integral part of the state’s ecology and economy. The guidelines by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have been developed to guarantee annual crab yields are balanced and provide for continued abundance.
For beginners, a simple Crabbing Net may be the most extravagant piece of equipment you need. Three basic types of nets include crab nets, fishing nets and shrimping (or smelt) nets. Even vets may be happy with the nets, but crabbing boxes may also be purchased as long as they remain within the legal guidelines. In addition to the net you will need some string for baiting the crabs. One common method is to use chicken necks or backs (found in most grocery stores locally) which you attach to the string to attract the crabs. Don’t forget to keep your bait on ice while not in use to ensure that food borne illness isn’t spread.
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The best place to go crabbing will be on the bayside of Ocean City, better known as Assawoman Bay. 126th St. Northside Park, 41st Convention Center and Chicago Avenue Downtown are also great places to crab. Make sure to pick areas with grassy or mud type bottoms instead of sand, as this is where the crabs all hang out.
The best time to go crabbing is during and around high tide, and the prime season is during the summer months of May through September. Male crabs tend to be a bit meatier. The allowed size for collecting male crabs is 5 inches or more across, and there’s no legal size limit set for mature females. Make sure to investigate the license laws and regulations to avoid any fines.
Happy Hunting!
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Crabbing is a fairly simple activity. Just be careful of their claws.
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Rich,
Very descriptive and accurate website. We are not crabby people but we do eat crab cakes. You might check the sentence next to the bushel of crabs that starts with: Male crabs tend to be …….. It is not a complete sentence.
Carl