![]() ![]() ![]() All you need is a ball of string, a net, and crab bait. What local kid hasn’t spent time on a dock, inching kite string towards the surface with a net at the ready? And one of the reasons why hand-lining remains incredibly popular to this day is that it requires no license, virtually no equipment investment, and no special skills. The tradition of hand-lining (sometimes called chicken-necking) runs deep in Maryland communities. Just when can you go out and catch your own bushel basket of prime jimmies? The crabs begin moving around when the water hits the mid-50s, but most folks wait until the very end of May or the beginning of June to go crabbing, when there’s a solid bet for success. The three forms of crabbing available to us – hand-lining, snap-trapping, and trot-lining – require the crabs to move into relatively shallow waters. While it’s true that Maryland’s crabbing season officially began last month, for recreational crabbers it has yet to kick in. (Note: those of you who are shaking your head in disagreement are welcome to move back to Ontario any time you like). However this internal battle plays out in your mind, one thing is for sure: few things in life can compare to the overwhelming joy of unloading a bushel basket of crabs into the steam pot, dumping in spice by the shovel-load, and then deeply inhaling the ecstasy-inducing aroma of steaming crabs. Meghan holds up a prime jimmy caught on the West River. Others will resort to “frabbing,” and mix the two activities together at the same time. Many of us will alternate days, choosing for the adrenaline rush of a tugging fish on the hook one weekend and opting to feed our addiction for a crustacean taste sensation the next. The return of warm weather leads to one of the epic struggles of mankind, among we Chesapeake dwellers: should we go fishing for finfish this weekend, or should we go crabbing? More than one Bay-lover has practically gone mad as one side of his or her brain shouted “fish!” while the other cried out “crabs!” Yes, dear reader, we agree – it truly is a struggle to decide. Be sure you’re ready to load up the bushel basket with one of these three techniques, or by taking a crabbing charter. Seals will not only steal your bait but they’ll also do their best to remove the bait from the trap, too.Recreational crabbing is right around the corner. Plus, fish are quite attractive to other animals, including seals. Not only that, but fish doesn’t last long on the trap. The meat can be delicate and crabs can tear through after some time. You have to be careful about how long you use these baits for, too. Using rotten fish is not for the faint of heart! Just keep in mind that you’ll have to wash your hands thoroughly to get rid of the smell. ![]() When baiting with tuna, some people even punch holes in a tuna can, then just lower the can into the trap before placing the trap in the water. You can even use bits and pieces of squid! You can use fresh or frozen fish, but the benefit of frozen fish is that it will break down more slowly than fresh fish, giving you more time in between checking traps. They’re cheap and readily available, too. Often, bait shops or fish markets will give them away.Īnother advantage of using rotten fish is that they are soft and easy to attach to your equipment or crab trap. Long story short? The stinkier the bait, the better. They will go after anything that comes into their path.įurthermore, crabs will use their claws to dig or scratch up food from the bottom of the seafloor. Therefore, anything that has a strong smell can attract a whole host of these creatures. You see, many types of crabs (like blue crabs) don’t smell through any kind of organ like a nose but instead use microscopic “smelling” organisms. Some people believe that crabs have an excellent sense of smell – this is somewhat true, but not in this sense you might think. You can use the same types of baits offshore as you would in other settings.įinally, consider how crabs find food. inshore crabbing, the quick answer is, “not really.” If you’re wondering if your fishing location matters in terms of offshore vs. In some places, certain types of bait are not allowed. You also need to consider the regulations in your local area. Before you can choose the right crab bait for your needs, you need to consider a few basic qualifications.įirst, what kind of crab are you going after? While most crabs prefer the same types of foods, there can be small nuances between species. ![]()
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