how to keep crabs alive while crabbing

[bikercat]

Hi all, I was crabbing today and the temps was in the 80-90 degree range. I saw a guy who just had his crabs in a bucket with a cloth cover on the top. I brought along a cooler and some ice. the guy told me that they won't die and that I didn't need the ice. I was concern because of the warm weather and the fact that I was going to be out for several hours that I didn't want to get sick eating a bunch of dead crabs. so is that person right? thanks

[tattoo]

a wet towel works just fine. 

[bikercat]

thanks, will try it tommorrow.

[tattoo]

good luck . have agreat day crabbing. 

[Mr. Breeze]

If I had a choice between a bucket with a wet rag and a cooler with ice,  I'd go with the cooler.  There is not enough air circulation in a bucket,  a basket is a different story.  Also, if you keep whities, yer gonna have dead loss no matter what.

[kcullip2006]

If I had a choice between a bucket with a wet rag and a cooler with ice,  I'd go with the cooler.  There is not enough air circulation in a bucket,  a basket is a different story.  Also, if you keep whities, yer gonna have dead loss no matter what.

  "Breeze knows crabs!"  

[mdjohn]

  

[ILLSWIMHOME]

Just wanted to throw out there how we do it.  We use the wooden bushel baskets.  Every other hour or so, dip the basket and let it soak a good 30 seconds.  I use 3 baskets one inside the next for when the bottom eventually falls out of the first.  For the ride home, I take a towel, dip it in the water and put it on top of the crabs in the basket.  Whatever ice I have left in the cooler goes on top of the towel.....ice packs work just fine too.  I haven't lost a crab yet doing it this way and I've been stuck in traffic for 2 hrs when it topped 100 degrees out. 

[dantheman2929]

I like using a Basket ( good air circulation ) and place a thick stack of wet news paper on top in between runs. I know a few guys who wrap the news paper in a towel that way it is easier to move and you do not have to keep dipping the towel to keep it wet ( n really hot days )

[kcullip2006]

I like using a Basket ( good air circulation ) and place a thick stack of wet news paper on top in between runs. I know a few guys who wrap the news paper in a towel that way it is easier to move and you do not have to keep dipping the towel to keep it wet ( n really hot days )

Just wanted to throw out there how we do it.  We use the wooden bushel baskets.  Every other hour or so, dip the basket and let it soak a good 30 seconds.  I use 3 baskets one inside the next for when the bottom eventually falls out of the first.  For the ride home, I take a towel, dip it in the water and put it on top of the crabs in the basket.  Whatever ice I have left in the cooler goes on top of the towel.....ice packs work just fine too.  I haven't lost a crab yet doing it this way and I've been stuck in traffic for 2 hrs when it topped 100 degrees out. 

Both good ideas.  Basically the same way I do it when I go down the eastern shore to crab.  Hour and a half drive back.    Can't remember losing any in the last 6 years.

[crab24]

 I use berlap everyday, lay it over the wooden basket ,dip the berlap every now and then, berlap breaths real good towel are not as breathable

[rdbeard]

jed i do the same ,wet burlap over top has worked for years. i also soak my baskets on the really hot days before i start crabbin.