New to forum...love it

[Finn]

   Just found this forum and gotta say it's incredible.  I recently moved back  to my hometown near Daytona, Florida from non-watery climes and am gettin  into crabbing again (been like 15 years since last time I threw down a ring trap).  Already your  group of salty clawmeisters has helped me immensely with ethics, rules, techniques and recipes. Thanks all.

First time I been out was couple evenings ago, bout 7:30pm.  Set out 3 ring traps I picked up cheap with some old chicken wings.  I took about 7 nice size crabs in an hour after "culling" about 10 (I think thats what you say, right? I threw back 10 for being small or female).   I am VERY excited about the rest of the summer...and My friends that were fishing while I crabbed were impressed, as they caught nothing and I was whooping up and down the beach and adjacent dock the whole time.  They all said, "screw the fish, where'd you get the traps?"

Anytime anyone's on the Central East Coast of FL, drop me an e-mail and we can go tooling around the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon.  Despite my friends luck theres some of the best fishing in FL around here, or so I've heard alot.

Thanks again for knowledge and patience for questions.  You've helped rekindle a serious love of crabbing.
   

[Crabpop]

Finn, welcome to the forum and you're quite welcome.  I think everyone learns a little something from everyone else on this forum.  Great bunch of folks.  So, if you have any questions just ask away...

Crabpop

[DocSmith]

Welcome to the group!  This is the place for anything and everything you ever wanted or needed to know about crabbing. If you are in NE/Central Florida then you might be interested in recreational shrimping also. Here is a link www.shrimpin.com. Be sure to read the Shrimping Reports - they are hilarious! I'm up here in the western panhandle.

  Doc

[Joe Crabs]

Welcome aboard, Finn.

[DTownCrabber]

Welcome Aboard Finn, you will find everything and anything you would ever need to know about crabbing right here. Enjoy yourself and "Happy Crabbing"

[Darrell]

Welcome.! We all like to hear about Fla. crabbing and shrimping too!

[Bruce]

What are the laws in Florida on crapping?

[jack1747]

Batter Up. I'll let someone else take that one

[DocSmith]

For recreational crabbing in Florida, you'll need a resident saltwater fishing license. You can have up to 5 crab pots, each of which has to have a floating buoy with a 2" high, contrasting "R" on it and attached to the trap with a non-floating line. The trap has to have a tag "permanently affixed" to it with your name and address on it.  There is no size limit or season, and you can have up to 10 gallons of whole, non-egg bearing crabs per license per day -  but the traps can only be tended from dawn to dusk. Molesting ("I was just checkin' it") someone else's crab pot is a felony in Florida and is prosecuted.

I don't know of any regulation regarding handlines or traps set from shore or a dock or pier and I get a blank stare whenever I ask about trotlines - I can't find any Florida regulation regarding them. Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife department for more information. Where are you located?

  Doc

[Crabpop]

What are the laws in Florida on crapping?

Well, Bruce, I would imagine that the laws in Florida are similar to the laws in the other states.  Namely, you cannot do it just anywhere; there are specific places designated for doing this; you can do it 24/7; there is no limit; you can do it on a pier or boat, BUT ONLY if they are properly equipped; and, please remember to practice proper hygene...wash your hands afterward.

((Sorry, couldn't resist.  The base word 'crab' and all of its suffixed forms can get you in a whole lot of trouble if not spelled properly.))

Now, lookee here:

http://myfwc.com/marine/recreational/recbluecrab.htm

((How was that, Jack?))

Crabpop

[procrabber]

What are the laws in Florida on crapping?

gotta keep it all in your holding tank until you are in federal waters. if your boat doesnt have a head, keep a spare bucket on board just for that purpose. when you get a new guy on the boat, tell him he can put his lunch in that bucket over there, and after he eats his lunch, ask where the [curd] bucket is. that is always good for a laugh.

another tip, put water in the bucket before you use it, or else all the s#%& will stick to the sides of the bucket (learned that the hard way).

if you dont want the law looking at your catch, get a CLEAN bucket with a lid on it, and put a big label "[curd] bucket" on it, they wont open it.

[Oldbayboy]

Hello Friends- I just moved to central/southern east coast FL (vero beach to be exact).  Does anyone know if it is safe to eat crabs I have caught out of the canals or "lagoons" here... about 3 miles inland form the Indian River Inner-Coastal? They look healthy, but the water they come from worries me.  Thanks. 

[crabbingcraigy]

Hello OBB yes you can eat the crabs,Get use to the water its not like FLA.

[CaptMoose]

Welcome Finn.  Get used to using the search feature for whatever might tickle your fancy.  There is years and years worth of info here.  Good stuff for sure.  Glad to have you aboard.

[tattoo]

Welcome Finn.  Get used to using the search feature for whatever might tickle your fancy.  There is years and years worth of info here.  Good stuff for sure.  Glad to have you aboard.

The post from FINN is 2004   

[chesapeak]

Hey procrabber, how were those FL Lagoon crabs?   It has only been 5 years since you posted. You still with us?   

[tattoo]