Thread: Advice on Blue Crabs

Got a couple of traps and would like to boil some crabs this year. Youtube can answer my questions Im sure, but figured I would get some local advice. So if you boil the crabs live, how should I time the placing of my traps? For example: If I want to boil crabs on a Saturday, should I put the trap out a few days before? If I put the trap in, lets say, 5 or 6 days before, will crabs in the trap be alive and well on a Saturday morning? Thanks in advance.

Put the traps out a few days before you plan to boil and when you are ready to boil, go pull the trap and collect the crabs. They will be fine when you pull the trap

I've never trapped blue crabs before. What kind of traps do you use and what types of locations do you set them? Bait choice?

Originally Posted by prkr99

If I want to boil crabs on a Saturday, should I put the trap out a few days before? If I put the trap in, lets say, 5 or 6 days before, will crabs in the trap be alive and well on a Saturday morning? Thanks in advance.

5 or 6 days is too long.

2 days is good. 3 is ok if you have plenty of bait. If bait runs short the big ones start eating the smaller and it can get ugly.

If you are in good water one day (overnight) is plenty.

If you are trying for crabs on a specific date I would put a few traps out at different locations and check for results before the last push.

Originally Posted by el jefe

I've never trapped blue crabs before. What kind of traps do you use and what types of locations do you set them? Bait choice?

I use the two level traps, but the single level traps will get you a few. Usual traps are made of plastic coated chicken wire and will last years with proper care, the square mesh ones are better but more expensive.

Fish heads and carcasses are good for bait. Plenty of local places have traps, but Brunson's in Foley has the most variety and they are good for advice.

Check the rules for placement and marking of traps.

We caught crabs in the lagoon years ago and wrapped them in a wet towel put them in draw in bottom of frig. after a week still alive.

I think they are only around 10-12 dollars a dozen at Billy's Seafood in Bon Secour.

Thanks. Just what I was wanting to know!

you can catch blues (and an occasional gator), with chicken legs on a string and a long handled dip net. We crab at the weir by the state park.

Originally Posted by bamafig

you can catch blues (and an occasional gator), with chicken legs on a string and a long handled dip net. We crab at the weir by the state park.

That's the most fun way to do it, especially with kids. I spent a lot of happy hours handlining crabs and trying to avoid the claws. A bucket of lively crabs and an inquisitive six year old equals plenty of excitement.