Winyah Bay South Carolina

[ericl11]

My first go at crabbing in South Carolina with my son.  We left Winyah Bay with 24 keepers.  Caught them with ring nets off my boat and a few with the fishing poles and dip net when the fishing was not working so well (we missed a few big ones this way).  Keepers were between 5" and 6.25" with most being at 5", had to throw back many under 5" but were very close.

I'm not sure if 24 is successful or not, but my son and I had a little feast last night.  I'll be looking for a different way to prepare them as my wife and daughter do not seem to enjoy them "Maryland Style" as much as the boys do.  That means I'm stuck pulling meat for 3 people, doesn't give me much time to enjoy.

[DocSmith]

Any time with your son is worth it whether you catch crabs, etc. or not.  It's a journey, not a destination. To me, the pleasure in eating blue crabs is catching, cooking and picking them yourself.  As in life, if you are offered up the treasure of freshly caught and cooked blue crab meat without working for it, it has no value to you.  Unless the person is too young, or too old, or a first date, you should show them how to pick crabs for themselves - they will enjoy it so much more.  When I first cooked blue crab for Jan, she couldn't understand how I could spend so much time on such a small amount of food.  Now, you should be warned to not get between Jan an any cooked blue crab.  It is a lesson in life.

Happy Crabbin'
Doc

[Crabber Joe]

As usual,..........very well put Doc!