FL crab prices

[crabhappy]

Just a bit of information for the Northerners on board.  I have recently relocated from MD. Chesapeake Bay region to Central Florida and have found out the following in my search for Blue Crab availability and pricing.  Availability is definitely 365 days with a limit of 5 traps (collapsible or commercial type) per person.  Your round white floats(no bleach bottles) must be marked with your name, address, phone number. They can be left unattended(just like commercial guys) overnight(obviously not the collapsible type). Recreational with a saltwater fishing license can have up to 10 gallons(about a bushel per day. Any family member residing with you can also have 5 traps/pots and 10 gallons per day but they must be with you when you are harvesting your catch.  I also heard that your trap line can be no longer than 10 feet.  Rivers run shallow here.  Soft crabs sell for $5 - $7 each and are only sold individually and are hard to find fresh and alive.  They are cleaned, frozen and wrapped. The hard crabs are only sold by the dozen for $7 - $15.  I haven't actually crabbed yet but for the above listed pricing scenario, I can hardly wait to give 'em a go. I'll keep you Northeners posted especially after the season closes up there.  It's good to hear that the productivity is up after 4-5 years of down-cycle.

Good luck
Doug

[jack1747]

Welcome crabhappy.

I am not sure where this post belongs, which topic?  It kinda covers them all.  

I would look for a commercial crabber and ask were to buy softcrabs.  If there are hardcrabs there has 2b softcrabs. $5.00 to 7.00 for softcrabs tells me you are getting them 3 or 4 steps up the chain.  Being from "the Bay" I know that you know fresh is best...

[procrabber]

i went to school in tampa. look out for crabs from northern tampa bay, they are huge but the waters are poluted