Tierd of Blues need info on Rock Crabs

[NYCrab]

I was thinking of catching rock crabs instead. There's plenty of blues here(even the occasionally lobster). Anyone eaten Rock Crabs before? Do they follow the same incoming/outgoing tide as the Blues? Anyone know what season is best for these guys? Anyone around the tri state area of NYC know of a good place to catch these? Thanks in advance!

[SHELLFISH]

Not sure I know what you're talking about. I get Jonahs in the lobster pots when their deep but never heard of rock crabs! I'm in CT.

[Avalonjohn44]

I've been catching more rock crabs in NJ in the past few years.  They range from mottled green to brownish black, are typically smaller than bluecrabs, have stunted, sturdy claws, and no swimming leg.  I've always thrown them back, never tasted them, but have wondered...  I can't find any state regs about them.  Next time I'm up there, I'll cook a couple seperately and report.  I still have to catch and report on a spider crab too.  Ever since I promised to eat one, I haven't caught any...

[SHELLFISH]

Just did a google search for Rock Crab; they look alot like a Jonah Crab! I get the Jonahs deep -80 feet- but I did catch one in shallow water and wondered why it was there. Maybe this was a Rock Crab? I was cooking steamer clams (soft clams) on a Norwalk Island and walked down to the boat for a cold one and found the crab. He went into the steamer..tasted OK!

[Avalonjohn44]

I found a good page showing the difference btwn rock and jonas crabs.  What I described as a rock crab turns out to be the green crab:

http://www.marinelife-explorer.com/specieswebpages/greencrab.html

The page has links to rock crabs and jonas crabs... I'd link a picture but that site prevents it...

[SHELLFISH]

That's the same site I found. I don't think you want to eat the Green Crabs. The ones I've seen are too small, maybe 2.5" across the carapace (top shell) and I use them for Blackfish (Tautog) bait! Blackfish taste better.