Poll: Are Crabs Better from Northern or Southern States?

[Crabpot Man]

But if it's true what you say about there not being any crabs in VA, where DO MD crabs come from?  Certainly not from NJ, our crabs are smaller and have a slightly different color...  

Trucks leave here everyday with MD crabs on them. 

[KI Crabber]

I'm a Maryland guy that couldn't give a rats a$$ about Wye River crabs. I've been there, crabbed it and have to say that I've seen much better crabbing elsewhere as well as crabs that taste as good or better from other areas of the shore that prove to be less hassle to crab. I know there are a lot of guys on here that rave over Wye crabs and that is fine, as it gives me more room and less headaches where the crabbing is better. As far as taste goes, it seems that some people just can't open their minds to eating anything that doesn't come from the Wye. Again, this works for me. I can also say that I have eaten crabs from the same river for weeks and years on end and each week they have a slightly different taste. Is it the way they are cooked, the general quality of that basket of crabs, the salinity of the water that day, could it be the natural food sources that they are eating prior to being caught? Who knows, but they do change. Just because I have had a great batch from one place or another doesn't mean that is the only place you will find me crabbing for the rest of my life. One big difference that I can tell is if the crabs are caught in pots or by another method. Potted crabs to me, usually have a fishy taste. I think it is from them being held captive in close quarters with rotting alewives, sometimes for several days. I'm not trying to step on any potters toes, as I have the utmost respect for anyone who makes their living on the water, I'm just saying that I can tell the difference most of the time. 

The closest in taste that I personally have had to mid Maryland crabs were from the Peace River area of Florida.

[fishingtom]

  I think the Wye river hype is from our elders who crabbed there 40 or 50 years ago.  It was basically wall to wall crabs and very few boats.  These days there are more boats than crabs.                                                                                                         
   I agree about the taste of the crabs being different depending on all the variables that Craig mentioned. 
   I personally have never crabbed the Wye but I do remember my uncle and brother in law both loved it there.  I crab close to home and I am not a big fan of trailering boats (having had more than my fair share of problems with tires and bearings) so I generally keep my boat where I crab.  As for my favorite crabs, the ones Al made at the Wye party were the bomb and they were from the Wye I think...

[crabman1969]

Of course I am gonna stand behind Wye crabs but there are some people that can steam crabs better then others and I am NOT one of them.  No matter where they are caught!   Some people just have the knack for steaming there own crabs with the right amount of there ingredients.  Apple cider vinegar seems to give them a good taste.  I usually have Johnny at the wye steam my crabs and does a fine job.

[Ronster]

As for my favorite crabs, the ones Al made at the Wye party were the bomb and they were from the Wye I think...

[Mutzy crab man]

Enough from you Maryland guys, you are stuck on the "Home Town Boy Syndrome"  Let's hear from some guys from other places that have tasted crabs from other areas.  I know Jim "Shellfish" has spoken, but lets hear from more.  I have only tasted crabs from my back yard, Massachusetts, the Weweantic River, so I can't really judge.  But all you Maryland guys would walk through six feet of cow [curd] to defend your precious Wye.............That should piss off at least a couple of you die hards !!!!!

...I'm a New yorker.I have tasted crab from Long Island,Brooklyn.Staten Is.New Jersey,Delaware,N.Carolina,S.Carolina,Virgina and Wye River Maryland...In my opinion and only my opinion Wye crabs taste the best.Now don't get me wrong I love crab no mater where it comes from... But to me Wye River#1

[crabbywaters]

I remember my grandfather bringing crabs from the Chester river when i was a kid, we had them crabs every 4th of July in till i was 15 or so. I still love those fat Chester river crabs. A few years ago my family and i were in cape may nj. We decided to get a basket of #1 already steamed. They were a little small but we really good, sweet, yellow mustard. So we decided to go to the same place last summer and get them again. This time they were really NASTY, totally fishy, so you just never know.

[mdjohn]

I looked for my pick. It wasn't there.

the Best crabs are...

THE FREE CRABS

Donations are being accepted at all times of the year.
you will get a big thank you and much praise.
We do not discriminate as to the crabs origin or size ( bigger preferred)

 

[crabbywaters]

Free crabs are the best crabs.. Here's a pic of a free one

[Ronster]

  I think the Wye river hype is from my contemporaries who crabbed there 40 or 50 years ago. 

Fixed your quote above.

[Crabbyd]

I love the Wye River and it's crabs.......everyone should continue to worship the Wye so you all leave the rivers I crab at alone 

[Ronster]

I love the Wye River.
It was much better than Cats.
I want to crab it again and again.

 

[fishingtom]

Fixed your quote above.

I know I don't look it but I am only 48, rode hard and put away wet my whole life...

[Ronster]

 

[crabman1969]

Dont wanna be the judge but it looks like MD. Wye crabs are well loved.  Have not seen nobody mention Miles River crabs which I hear are very good.  But like many have mentioned the Wye can be a big headache with the crabbing pressure.  Seen plenty of arguments and lines cut, who needs that?  I myself will probally do the Chester a little bit this year beings it is less pressured and very big.  They did add 2 more ramps at the wye for those who did not know that!

[KI Crabber]

I know I don't look it but I am only 48, rode hard and put away wet my whole life...

Bitchin or Braggin??

[crabbywaters]

Dont wanna be the judge but it looks like MD. Wye crabs are well loved.  Have not seen nobody mention Miles River crabs which I hear are very good.  But like many have mentioned the Wye can be a big headache with the crabbing pressure.  Seen plenty of arguments and lines cut, who needs that?  I myself will probally do the Chester a little bit this year beings it is less pressured and very big.  They did add 2 more ramps at the wye for those who did not know that!

That's why my dad and i only go like twice a year to the wye. We mostly crab the severn and eastern bay. We kept talking about crabbing the miles last season, but never made it there. We are planning a long day trip to smith island for a early season run.

[fishingtom]

Bitchin or Braggin??

I got mirrors, nothing to brag about here

[indoe]

I think it's the way the crabs are cooked as well. If anyone gets crabs during the winter they are not eating MD crabs. I will eat crabs as long as they are cooked right. Wait I might eat them if they are not cooked right as well. As long as they are cooked. 

[Crab Shack]

If anyone gets crabs during the winter 

Hey....whatever happened to "what happens in vegas stays in vegas?"   

[crabman1969]

That's why my dad and i only go like twice a year to the wye. We mostly crab the severn and eastern bay. We kept talking about crabbing the miles last season, but never made it there. We are planning a long day trip to smith island for a early season run.

     Sure that will be a nice trip down smith island.  Seen some tv. shows on it down there and looks like a nice place.  Probally some good fishing and dining!  I was thinking about doing the same before I put my boat in the wye for the summer.  The way some of these guys were catching crabs going into december down that way,delaware and ocean city I would think that crabs run early there also.

[CaptMoose]

I've had NJ, TX, FL, and MD crabs.  Have to say that those from MD are my favorite hands down.  Even Crabby Sue, who is no crab affectionado, has said the same thing.

But Pollster's, er Ronster's polls are best by far.

[crabbywaters]

     Sure that will be a nice trip down smith island.  Seen some tv. shows on it down there and looks like a nice place.  Probally some good fishing and dining!  I was thinking about doing the same before I put my boat in the wye for the summer.  The way some of these guys were catching crabs going into december down that way,delaware and ocean city I would think that crabs run early there also.

Yea im looking forward to it.. The crabs should be running early for sure down that way.

[CrabDog]

I picked MD just because that is where I mainly crab, however anywhere on the Chesapeake and it's tributaries down to the coastal area of NC are all very good
I think because the geography / type of water etc is very similiar... lots of rivers feeding very large estuaries that are have relatively clean water and environments.....
ES of MD, VA and NC are very similar IMHO

and I won't hijack this thread out of respect to Ronster.......  which reminds me of the time I ........

[captaincrab55]

Yea im looking forward to it.. The crabs should be running early for sure down that way.

Expect those crabs to be of the small size...