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Catching Blue Crabs on Cape Cod
"Catch & Cook" Blue Claw Crab Fishing

Updated: July 25, 2021

If you've never caught and cooked your own crab dinner ... come to Cape Cod and try it, you'll like it!

Blue Crab Season on Cape Cod

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!

Crabbing Equipment

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!)

How to Catch Blue Claw Crabs

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.

• Tip: To be successful with this method, you need to be very stealthy. That means treading as quietly as you can through the water, and slowly easing your net down into the water so you don't spook the little guy.
  
  Oh, and don't forget - when a crab scoots off, it goes sideways. The real trick is anticipating which way it'll go and having your net in the right spot!
  
  
• What You'll Need: A dip net, a bucket, and a measuring device (to be sure crabs are legal size to keep). And wearing the right crabbing attire is always a good idea, too!
  
  
• Optional: You can also use this method from a kayak, canoe or small inflatible boat. You'll stay dry, and it's easier to sneak up on them when your feet aren't making a ruckus in the water.
  

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.

• Tip: The smaller blue crabs tend to float along on top of the water, while the larger ones usually swim a little deeper. A good pair of polarized sunglasses helps immensely to see the bigger crabs under the surface!
  
  
• What You'll Need: A dip net or medium-sized fishing net, a bucket, and a measuring device
  
  
• Optional and Recommended: A daily tide chart to help you figure out the approximate time of high and low tide in the area you'll be crabbing.
  
  We usually have the best success during the hour or so after the tide has turned, when the current is starting to run pretty swiftly.
  

3. "Chicken on a String" Crabbing

It's amazing what you can accomplish with a couple pieces of raw chicken and some string ...

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!

• Tip: You can do the chicken-on-a-string thing from stream banks, from fishing piers, from rock jetties, from a canoe or kayak, or by wading into the water. It all depends on how wet you want to get!
  
  
• What You'll Need: Chicken parts, heavy string or fishing line, dip net, measuring device, bucket
  
  

Keeping Your Catch Alive ... Temporarily ;-)

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:

• In a creek, a stream, a bay, or any other large body of water, there's plenty of oxygen for the crabbies to breathe.
  
  
• In a small bucket of water, they quickly use up all the available oxygen ... and off they go to crab heaven.
  
  (FYI: Your catch must be alive at cooking time. Dead crabs = bacteria. Not a good thing!)
  

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. 

Where to Go Crabbing on Cape Cod

There's a good number of fairly reliable spots for catching blue crabs in the Upper and Middle Cape regions, from Falmouth to Dennis.

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:

• Waquoit Bay - This beautiful location in East Falmouth is a great spot for crabbing, especially if you bring or rent a kayak or canoe. Overall, Waquoit Bay is relatively shallow and the water's usually pretty calm. And there are lots of pretty little estuaries to paddle, where you'll have a good chance of finding some blue crabs hiding out. While you're out on Waquoit Bay, consider heading over to Washburn Island if the wind and weather permit. Washburn Island is a gorgeous nature reserve that's only reachable by boat. A "don't miss", IMHO!
  
  
• Crab Creek Conservation Area - The area known as "Crab Creek" is at the northern end of the Bass River, on North Dennis Road in Yarmouth.If you're staying in the Mid-Cape area, Crab Creek is an easy spot to get to by car from any of the Cape's three major roads (Rt. 6, Rt. 6A or Rt. 28). There's a fishing/crabbing platform at Crab Creek, along with easy access to the water for those of you who prefer to wade.
  
  
• Craigville Beach Area - Craigville is one of the most well-known Hyannis area beaches, and it's especially popular with the teen and young adult set for sunning, swimming and socializing. When you're going to Craigville Beach for the day, why not bring your crabbing equipment with you? The Centerville River, a tidal river that runs just to the west of Craigville Beach, has given up many yummy crab feasts over the years!
  
  
  

MA Blue Crab Regulations

Here's a summary of the rules and regs for recreational blue crabbing in Massachusetts:

• Minimum size - 5” shell width (spine to spine)
• Egg-bearing females cannot be taken
• 25 crabs per day maximum
• No permit required for dip-netting and hand-lining;
• Closed season is 1/1–4/30, inclusive.
  
  

Click here for the current Massachusetts shellfishing laws and regulations.

Related Pages:

Crabbin' Clothes

Cooking Blue Crab the Quick and Easy Way

Digging Your Own Clams on Cape Cod

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