Weweantic Report 08-05-06

[masspi]

Well another week has passed and with the exception of a couple of very hot days when tending the pots was a major effort the crabbing continues to be great.  Not as much action by the Neckers.........the heat kept them basking in the A/C i suppose.  A couple of crabbers working from small boats were taking them on Thursday & Friday. 

We will be working the pots hard till Sunday afternoon when the big Crabfest is scheduled.  We will be steaming up the catch for some friends and neighbors.  Bring on the Crab & Beer !!!!   

I think my Son-in-Law is starting to think that Crab is at least as good as Lobster.........My Brother-in-Law is convinced and is a diehard Crab eater 

The photo below is an example of what we are getting every day............

[JOE crabzzz]

nice job mass. next year gonna try the pots. my 5yr. old already knows crab is better than lobstah, i cant clean it fast enough( i usually wait til he's sleeping to put my feed bag on) ????4 ya, are you freezing the steamed crab whole or are you cleang them and freezing just claws and bodies. would love to know.thnks...see ya on the river

[masspi]

I steam about 18 minutes or a little less.  Into an ice/water bath to stop the cooking.  Place in freezer bags and place them in the freezer.  When we are ready to eat, I stack them into the steamer and re-steam for 10 minutes (I thaw before steaming the second time)  We had a big feast on Sunday and there was nothing but praise from all who ate the crab.  My family and friends do not like the crab to be coated with spice.........the women tell me it is too hot for them.  The guys are purists, crab with nothing on it. Seems to be working for me.

Good luck with using pots next year, they do work and it is much easier than necking.

[masspi]

Sorry about that Joe..........My mind must not be working yet (OD'd on Crab on Sunday)

I cook and freeze the whole crab, uncleaned.  I know there are some who say it is not right, but it works for me.  I figure if I start cleaning for my big crowd, I might as well pick the entire crab for them...my idea is want to eat my crab, pick it yourself.

I do notice that I have a lot of claw drop, and next batch I plan to ice them down first to see what happens.  My Wife isn't all that happy with my daily steaming routine though.  It is every day........steaming between 15 and 30 crabs.  I am glad that I have a large commercial freezer though.  I keep it very cold and once they are bagged, they freeze very fast. 

I use beer, water, a splash of vinegar, Old Bay, a couple of bay leaves, salt and some crushed red pepper.  I get it cranking before I place the crabs in the pot.

Look good in the photo, they ate everything

[tattoo]

you are right , they sure look good, thanks for the picture.

[masspi]

Hey Tattoo.........thanks for your support, sorry to hear about the bad e-mail, the person who wrote that was most likely bitter  , drunk  or stupid  .  We have never met, but you always have a nice word for my posts.............THANKS 

[JOE crabzzz]

thanks massi,i have the same pot+ the same prob. with the old lady pissed at me steaming crabs everyday or so. i also dont load with seasoning. i have the stuff called swamp fire(similar to old bay but spicier). i add a 1/2 teaspoon to my butter that way there my 5yr.old can suck on the legs without burning his mouth.  what about freezing them alive? ever heard of that? thanks ill be chicken necking from the boat on wednsday and friday, i go from the hiway ramp

[masspi]

I know things would be better if she ate the Crabs, but no luck.  When we steamed on Sunday, she ate a burger.  I have some Swamp Fire...........great stuff.  I have over 50 different types of hot sauces in my collection.....you really have to have a sensitive pallet to tell the difference.  Some will destroy you they are so hot. Might try steaming with some of the hot stuff.  I also put a little Old Bay in the melted butter for some to enjoy.

Good luck this week, the weather looks great.  My traps are out in force.  The 195 boat ramp is great and the access is super.  I have never worked that area up river, but can only believe that there are crab all over.  Get your share Joe and enjoy.

None of my grandsons will touch crab, you know the drill, no Xbox controller attached, they don't know what it is.  Only the granddaughter works the boat with us.  She is making the guys look very bad.

[masspi]

Just did a search on the forum and there is some info on freezing...........all say to clean before freezing