Peekytoe crabs

[Barbarella]

Can someone tell me if you can catch or buy peekytoe crabs on cape cod?  I know you can buy them in Maine.

[masspi]

I know what they are (Maine Rock Crab), but have never seen any for sale or seen them offered in a restaurant.  They are kind of a by-catch when lobstering and are usually caught in deeper waters than Blue Crab.  Try some of the Asian markets

[robc22]

Are we talking jonas crab? or just the regular little rock crab you catch ?

[masspi]

I was at a farmers market in the Town of Carver yesterday and there was a woman who called herself "The Fishwife"  she has your crabs on sale for two dollars a crab.  This is the only time I have ever seen them for sale.  She was also selling lobster for six dollars a pound.  She had sold out of most of her lobster.

[robc22]

Dave.....are these the crabs that are too small to be bothered with???

[masspi]

That's them

[jcb]

I had a bunch of those in my lobster pots last weekend, did not know if they were good to eat. Had a couple of good size ones to. I hear only the claws are good.

[Fairhaven Crabber]

yeah, these are what is otherwise known as Maine Rock Crabs.  Just got a big 2lb pack from BJ's in the frozen section of just claws for about $8.99  i think.  ate them last night and they were delish!  Just thaw and eat, already scored on the claw sections too so they were easy to break apart.  The probs with these crabs is that cracking them with crackers usually shatters the shells and leaves bits and pieces everywhere in the meat.  Lobstermen typically catch TONS of these in their traps, and they can be pretty big.  I think the real big ones come from deep, deep water. you can occasionally catch some on the shoreline among the seaweed, but those are TINY.

[robc22]

FHC

I think what you bought at bj's were actually jonas crabs.......rock and sand crabs don't get that big. Next time if you remember, take a pic and post it. The confusion over this peekytoe thing is driving me nuts!