Jonah crabs!?!

[Rmod13]

Can you catch jonah crabs in nj waters? I'm at barnegat bay area and have caught one in my crab pot this season randomly among the blue crabs in the marsh area i prefer to go to ,if so is there specific bait they prefer?or time of year?

[SHELLFISH]

I dont know qbout NJ waters but I use to catch them in my Lobster pots off CT!

[JOHN M.O.T.]

Rmod13,
I haven't been out diving yet this year, but I used to see them around the jetty.
Hope this helps. If you catch some please post.

John

[U / W HUNTER]

I used to see them while diving but never took any, & I have never seen them while crabbing

[ralphrepo]

Just wanted to add an update to the knowledge of Jonah Crabs. It seems that NY State now has new rules on Jonah Crabs; limitations (50 per day) and size minimums (4.75 inch): https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html

IIRC, they seem to come in a big wave in the spring (around May) for about 2 weeks just before blue crabs begin waking up. Good luck!

[Robm1093]

Just wanted to add an update to the knowledge of Jonah Crabs. It seems that NY State now has new rules on Jonah Crabs; limitations (50 per day) and size minimums (4.75 inch): https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html

IIRC, they seem to come in a big wave in the spring (around May) for about 2 weeks just before blue crabs begin waking up. Good luck!

The crabs that we are catching on the South Shore bay  are not Jonah crabs they are Atlantic rock crabs