Has anyone tried speckled crab?

[TAJcrabs]

Dutch- I didnt say I wouldnt eat them, just said i enjoy the 6+ much more... Early in the year those 5+ taste just right. They are just tougher to get enough meat out of for a meal, they are more of a snack... lol

[jason22]

So that is the other name, I always knew them as "Lady Crabs", they are all over the coast of NJ but I have never seen one above 4 inches.  I use to catch them near the jetties when I was younger.  They hang out in the sand bars and burrow into the sand when you come near.   Never heard of anyone trying to eat them though, bait on the other hand sounds about right. 

[crabbygramps]

  Way back in my hand line days,we would catch them in Barnegat very early in the season..They were called calico crabs. As soon as the blue claws get active......bye bye Calico. I guess they like cold water
 and no competition:D

[brianatfl]

I eat these crabs all the time, they really taste sweet and are worth the effort. Also they do not smell like blue crabs, not sure why. The meat is firmer I think. Might be how active they are in the surf maybe dunno.

[beautiful swimmers]

 this crab is called a calico in nj. never tasted it but have used it for
bait. excellent bait for tautog (tog, blackfish)

[bigjohntate]

We catch them alot on the panhandle, some refer to them as Calico Crabs...A bit smaller than blues but everybit as good!

All my best

J

[Bottom Knocker]

Growing up we found them in the NJ surf and called them sand crabs.. Calico is the correct name.  We did steam and eat them a couple times.. very tastey and the do get pretty big.  Dont see them as much anymore.. 

I remember bringing a few back to the motel and letting them go in the pool! 

[bigjohntate]

Growing up we found them in the NJ surf and called them sand crabs.. Calico is the correct name.  We did steam and eat them a couple times.. very tastey and the do get pretty big.  Dont see them as much anymore.. 

I remember bringing a few back to the motel and letting them go in the pool! 

They lasted about 5 minutes after pool contact???