Newbie to crabbing, but I'm a fast learner!

[Greenlady]

Hi everyone,

I am from Georgia but my family and I primarily crab in Florida on the gulf coast.  We originally come from Maryland, right on the Chesapeake Bay. Considering that my husband and I grew up on the bay, neither of us was ever taught to crab.  But we ate a LOT of them.  They were cheap back then too.   A lot of seafood distributors starting leaving the area because the waters were being over crabbed.   Before we left Maryland to move to Georgia, we had not eaten crabs for nearly 7 years.  Part of the reason is the expense, and the other part is because the only thing that was available was pasturized canned crabmeat that wasn't even locally fished.  I refuse to eat any fish or shellfish that hasn't been locally caught in the USA. 

Back to crabbing, my husband and I are self taught.  The only method we use is bait tied to a string and then when the crab is nibbling you sneak up behind him with the net and scoop him up.  My favorite bait-fish heads!  I've tried chicken necks, lips, etc.. but never had too much luck. It worked, but the process was pretty slow, waiting for the crab to nibble.   One day after watching this elderly man crab from the pier and pull crabs out one after the other, I asked him how he did that.  He explained the method to me, which was exactly what I was trying to do with no luck.  He asked me what kind of bait I was using.  I told him chicken necks.  He pushes his cap back and raises one eyebrow and says, " You ever seen a blue crab walk out of the water and hunt down a chicken for supper?"   
"No, sir" I replied
"Then why in Sam's hill are you trying to catch a crab with a chicken neck? No Ma'am, you use a fish head" 

He was right!  Even the fattest, least hungry gigantic crabs can't resist a big old fish head.   I've even had male crabs that were sitting on/protecting a female go for a fish head.  I like fresh heads with the eyes still intact and a little meat behind the gills.  They are the first parts the crabs go after.  The heads are usually about the size of a fist.  You can tie the string through the mouth and knot it to make a loop, and you don't need any sharp hooks or pins. 

Polarized sunglasses are a MUST when looking for crabs in the water.  It makes a huge difference!

[KI Crabber]

Welcome Aboard! Good Luck!

[capt. ron]

Hello.  Welcome aboard.  I'm Capt. Ron (aka Ronnie) from the New Orleans area.  I take it you must live in Southern Ga. if ya crab the gulf.  Lots of crabbing in Mobile Bay and the Florida panhandle.  If ya find yourself in the N.O. area give me a shout.

Ronnie

[tattoo]

WELCOME , have a greAT SEASON

[Ronster]

Welcome.    Thanks for the great intro post.

[Dreampixels]

Hi everyone,

I am from Georgia but my family and I primarily crab in Florida on the gulf coast.  We originally come from Maryland, right on the Chesapeake Bay. Considering that my husband and I grew up on the bay, neither of us was ever taught to crab.  But we ate a LOT of them.  They were cheap back then too.   A lot of seafood distributors starting leaving the area because the waters were being over crabbed.   Before we left Maryland to move to Georgia, we had not eaten crabs for nearly 7 years.  Part of the reason is the expense, and the other part is because the only thing that was available was pasturized canned crabmeat that wasn't even locally fished.  I refuse to eat any fish or shellfish that hasn't been locally caught in the USA. 

Back to crabbing, my husband and I are self taught.  The only method we use is bait tied to a string and then when the crab is nibbling you sneak up behind him with the net and scoop him up.  My favorite bait-fish heads!  I've tried chicken necks, lips, etc.. but never had too much luck. It worked, but the process was pretty slow, waiting for the crab to nibble.   One day after watching this elderly man crab from the pier and pull crabs out one after the other, I asked him how he did that.  He explained the method to me, which was exactly what I was trying to do with no luck.  He asked me what kind of bait I was using.  I told him chicken necks.  He pushes his cap back and raises one eyebrow and says, " You ever seen a blue crab walk out of the water and hunt down a chicken for supper?"   
"No, sir" I replied
"Then why in Sam's hill are you trying to catch a crab with a chicken neck? No Ma'am, you use a fish head" 

He was right!  Even the fattest, least hungry gigantic crabs can't resist a big old fish head.   I've even had male crabs that were sitting on/protecting a female go for a fish head.  I like fresh heads with the eyes still intact and a little meat behind the gills.  They are the first parts the crabs go after.  The heads are usually about the size of a fist.  You can tie the string through the mouth and knot it to make a loop, and you don't need any sharp hooks or pins. 

Polarized sunglasses are a MUST when looking for crabs in the water.  It makes a huge difference!

Where did ya find the Chicken Lips? Bin looking for them forever. Any advise would be helpful.

[Greenlady]

Where did ya find the Chicken Lips? Bin looking for them forever. Any advise would be helpful.

I get my chicken lips from the same place I got my Mogwai.  Just don't try to use them after midnight, though. 

But Bull lips you can find easily from a local butcher. 

[Greenlady]

Hello.  Welcome aboard.  I'm Capt. Ron (aka Ronnie) from the New Orleans area.  I take it you must live in Southern Ga. if ya crab the gulf.  Lots of crabbing in Mobile Bay and the Florida panhandle.  If ya find yourself in the N.O. area give me a shout.

Ronnie

New Orleans is awesome! Haven't been there since before Katrina, I'm shamed to say.  Used to go there a lot on business. I'll look you up next time I'm in the area! 

Yes, we live in S Georgia.  Love the weather. Thanks for the nice welcome! Happy crabbing!

[Greenlady]

Thank you everyone for the nice welcome! Happy crabbing and fat pickins!

[Dreampixels]

I get my chicken lips from the same place I got my Mogwai.  Just don't try to use them after midnight, though. 

But Bull lips you can find easily from a local butcher. 

Thanks Sport