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For many of us who live on the eastern shoreline of the USA, catching blue crabs for dinner is as much a part of summer as a day at the beach.
We Had a Good Crabbing Day!
If you've never caught and cooked your own crab dinner ... come to Cape Cod and try it, you'll like it!
In Massachusetts, crabbing begins on the 1st of May and continues through December 31st. The season is closed from January to the end of April.
As a practical matter, though, prime time to catch blue crabs here on Cape Cod is during the summer months - June, July, August and September.
That's when the Atlantic blue crabs are most active in our southern Massachusetts waters. It's also when the water temps are warm enough that you won't freeze your knees if you wade in to catch the tasty little critters!
A Beautiful Summer Day at Crab Creek
What makes this such a wonderful outing for the whole family is it's fun, it's free, and no fancy crabbing equipment is required. Just a long-handled dip net, a bucket, and maybe some raw chicken parts and a length of string.
Note: No special permit is necessary in Massachusetts, as long as you're not planning to use a full crab trap and you're only keeping your catch for personal consumption. (Before you go crabbing, please check out the Recreational Crabbing Regulations at the end of this page so you'll know the rules!)
1. "Walk and Stalk" Crabbing
All you need to do is take your dip net in hand, walk slowly along through the water, and when you see a crab - scoop it up.
Stalking Crabs - Cape Cod, MA
2. "Scoop 'Em from the Current" Crabbing
This is my favorite way of catching blue crabs ... although I'll admit, it's not quite as sporting as the walk-and-stalk method.
To catch 'em in the current, head out to a tidal stream or an inlet where the current is moving. Take your dip net or fishing net, wade to the edge of the current flow, and wait for the crabs to come floating to you.
Waiting for the "Blues" to Float Through
3. "Chicken on a String" Crabbing
It's amazing what you can accomplish with a couple pieces of raw chicken and some string ...
This Chicken-on-a-String Thing Really Works!
Just tie a hunk of raw chicken (we use legs, others prefer necks) on the end of a long piece of heavy string or fishing line. Then toss the chicken into the water, holding tight to the other end of the string/line, of course!
Now, let your bait settle to the bottom, and take up the "slack" from your line.
In no time, you'll feel a little tug, tug, tug. That's the crab, grabbing hold and chomping on your offering.
With your net at the ready, very sloooooooowly ease your bait - with the crab still hanging on - up toward the surface. Slide the net under your bounty and scoop it up!
You've caught 'em. Now, how do you keep them alive until cooking time?
Don't leave your blue crabs in a bucket filled with water!!! They'll drown.
I know that seems odd. Water is a crab's natural habitat, after all. The difference is:
To keep your freshly caught crabs alive and lively, put them in an empty bucket and set them in the shade. Kept out of direct sunlight, they'll be fine for several hours.
There's a good number of fairly reliable spots for catching blue crabs in the Upper and Middle Cape regions, from Falmouth to Dennis.
A Favorite Spot for Catching Blue Crabs
As you might suspect, my fellow Cape Cod crabbers would not be too happy with me if I gave up all the hot spots we've worked for years to find.
But, I'm not going to leave you entirely in the dark, either! So here are a few places you might want to try:
Here's a summary of the rules and regs for recreational blue crabbing in Massachusetts:
Click here for detailed Massachusetts shellfishing laws and regulations.
Related Pages:
Cooking Blue Crab the Quick and Easy Way
Digging Your Own Clams on Cape Cod
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