feasible or not??

[op4shadow]

i am a teacher, but have found that i love being on the water and crabbing!  i was thinking today about the possibility of crabbing for a summer job.  however, i know absolutely NOTHING about the commercial crabbing world.  that said...

we have at least 6 "crab shacks" in my home town (all they do is sell crabs during the summer months).  that's just my town, not including surrounding towns.  i figure i could work with them as opposed to businesses that sell crab year round.  is it feasible to only crab the summer months?  i just looked at the numbers today, and i don't know if my numbers are anywhere close regarding what youre prices to buyers are, but even on a regular liscense in maryland (not commercial) you have a 2 bushel limit.  if was perfect, and i average 2 bushel everyday during the months of june, july, and august minus 13 wednesdays...and sold each bushel for $100, that would come out to $15,000 + a summer...not bad for summer job!  of course, that's not including costs...but you get where my head is going.  again, is this feasible/worth it?  or is this industry an absolute total commitment?  that is, you must fish the whole season to make it work?  not looking to get rich, just extra income?  any advice would be extremely appreciated!

[Mr. Ray III]

You need a COMMERCIAL license to sell crabs. 

[op4shadow]

yes, i know that...i was merely pointing out that even only sellting 2 bushel a day would be a great summer job.  commercial liscense is $5,000 i think, and limit is 25 bushel (if i'm reading it correctly).

[flounderpounder]

save some $$$$$ for bail  ....lol

[cja313]

Dont forget to include the cost of Gas (for the boat) Gas for hauling your catch all around town, Bait and equipment/boat repairs.   add to that the fact that you.re not going to catch 2 Bushels every day, some days you will some you might only end up with 1.....you'll see that your figures of what you think you make are alot more than what you actually will make.....

[op4shadow]

flounder pounder was nice enough to pm me with a lot of the requirements for this "adventure"...and i've decided it's probably best to stick to recreational fishing!  haha.  wasn't aware there was so much to it.  i was obviously aware of the costs of repairs to boat and equipment.  however, i thought you could just get a license...was unaware you needed LLC and such.  i just figured you paid for a commercial license, and were in business.  oh well, on to the next "brilliant" idea!!!

[captaincrab55]

yes, i know that...i was merely pointing out that even only sellting 2 bushel a day would be a great summer job.  commercial liscense is $5,000

  One can now lease a Commercial License.....

[rapp414]

You should do more research,I doubt all of the crabbers out there do it full time.That being said I do see a lot of hidden expenses like any business,plus weekends in the fall could be profitable also.Like with any business,there are ways of cutting expenses like getting a boat thats good on gas,I have a skiff,it's great on gas,I doubt 2 bushhels a day would eat up that much gas.

[flounderpounder]

You should do more research,I doubt all of the crabbers out there do it full time.That being said I do see a lot of hidden expenses like any business,plus weekends in the fall could be profitable also.Like with any business,there are ways of cutting expenses like getting a boat thats good on gas,I have a skiff,it's great on gas,I doubt 2 bushhels a day would eat up that much gas.

....No... but and 1.5 hour ride one way will   lol

[registereduser]

I agree there's more to it, even with a comm license, the numbers are off,,, a market for $100 wholesale crabs everyday for june-aug? better be a catching/culling fool, sell junk and see how long you'll last, good luck
ever thought about collecting your empty beverage containers and taking em michigan for the .10 deposit? quick riches

[rapp414]

I agree there's more to it, even with a comm license, the numbers are off,,, a market for $100 wholesale crabs everyday for june-aug? better be a catching/culling fool, sell junk and see how long you'll last, good luck
ever thought about collecting your empty beverage containers and taking em michigan for the .10 deposit? quick riches

Nothing's easy,he's done the best thing by asking around,gotta give him credit for being ambitious ,many teachers run small businesses in the summer.Crabbing is fun and I'm sure can be profitable,but doing it every day could take the fun out of it and there's a good chance it won't be profitable,why mock him with the Michigan comment ? Many successful people were told they wouldn't make it at things and succeeded

[Dreampixels]

Nothing's easy,he's done the best thing by asking around,gotta give him credit for being ambitious ,many teachers run small businesses in the summer.Crabbing is fun and I'm sure can be profitable,but doing it every day could take the fun out of it and there's a good chance it won't be profitable,why mock him with the Michigan comment ? Many successful people were told they wouldn't make it at things and succeeded

Einstein and P Buckley Moss are the first 2 that come to my mind - and there were many many more. There is nothing wrong with failure - Not to try is a sin - to try and fail it is a learning experience - just get back on that horse cowboy.

Which one of us would now be walking had we not endured failure first?

We in this country have always socially put down failure.

[rapp414]

Einstein and P Buckley Moss are the first 2 that come to my mind - and there were many many more. There is nothing wrong with failure - Not to try is a sin - to try and fail it is a learning experience - just get back on that horse cowboy.

Which one of us would now be walking had we not endured failure first?

We in this country have always socially put down failure.

I agree keary,but he who laughs last,laughs best.If everyone who has has a great idea listened to the naysayers,we wouldn't have many of the things we have today.

[Captain Dave]

A school teacher with a commercial license can make money in the summer,no problem.If your not an experienced crabber though youll have to learn the trade from somebody first.