Gulf Stone Crabbing

[ctown67]

We've been catching a ton of Stone Crabs this season. Here is a couple of pics from this weekend. The 25 is a good platform to stack traps, clean, and rebait with plenty of work space.

 

[Parker1817]

Outside of their claws are their bodies any good to eat?

 

[ctown67]

Actually, that is the real beauty of the Stone Crab. if the claw is taken off properly, the crab can be returned to the sea to regenerate the claw again. It is billed as a renewable resource. There is a lot of debate on the crabs actual chances as well as the survival rate of taking one claw versus both.

We are only recreational crabbers, which means we have 5 traps per fishing license. i have 5 and my wife has 5. That last trip we got 36 keeper claws and put our total over 100 since October. As a recreational crabber, we only keep one claw. That is not a law, just the request of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Check out www.myfwc.com for more stuff.

To directly answer your question, i have never known anyone to eat anything other than the claw.
Hope that helps
Cheers.

 

[Megabyte]

They look tasty!
And kudos to you for protecting the resource. 8)

 

[Brent]

Are you using wood, plastic, or metal traps? Chicken parts for bait and soak times?

thanks

 

[georgevazquez]

I have ten traps in the water at all times 5 mine and five for the wife. I use pigs feet for bait they last a whole seven days and sometimes still have a little meat on them when I check them. All my traps are in the bay area in Islamorada in 7-8 feet of water. Ive tried fish heads before but they only last 2-3 days. The problem with that is if the food runs out they start eating each other. I usually get 4-5 pounds every week. Its one big mess to clean up but well worth the work.

 

[Brent]

Thanks a million

 

[georgevazquez]

The traps are plastic and buy the pigs feet by the 50 to 60 pound box so much cheaper. Dont go to the local public, winn dixie supermarket to get them, those are split feet that are meant for human consumption and cost a whole lot more.

 

[sydngoose]

Nice pics and delicious eats! I had 8 traps in Tampa Bay for about 6 months. I got to where I would check them on the jet ski as I could get there in back in about an hour...on lazy days or when fishing, I'd use the big rig. That was a fun experience, recreational crabbing -same as you

 

[ctown67]

The traps are plastic and buy the pigs feet by the 50 to 60 pound box so much cheaper. Dont go to the local public, winn dixie supermarket to get them, those are split feet that are meant for human consumption and cost a whole lot more.

Exactly. Sometimes I will use whatever I can get my hands on. Crabs are pretty social creatures, I have even caught them with no bait at all. the trap is a safe place for them.

We are in 21' of water now. I try to keep well away from the commercial guys and away from any normal boat routes. We pulled a couple of my friends yesterday and went home with 16 more out of 3 traps. It's on right now.

the next move is to watch for triple tail to start hanging around the pots. They are very delicious and easy to catch. Fun on fly too. they are there own species of fish and taste better than grouper in my opinion.

 

[Brent]

Great information thanks

 

[Parker1817]

That's awesome

 

[StPeteMike]

the next move is to watch for triple tail to start hanging around the pots. They are very delicious and easy to catch. Fun on fly too. they are there own species of fish and taste better than grouper in my opinion.

We have picked up 3 triple tail on our last 5 trips running offshore to bottom fish. One was on a trap buoy. I always have my eyes peeled when we are running and take a peek if anything looks suspect. I agree they are better than grouper. I have tried them side by side with Gag and I'll take the triple tail any day.

Thanks for posting the great photos.

 

[georgevazquez]

IF YOU GET BIT CLEAN IT REAL GOOD SO IT DOESNT GET INFECTED. COURTESY of one pissed off stone crab

 

[Megabyte]

Ouch!

 

[ctown67]

Wow! Holy crap. I have only been nipped twice, never a direct hit like that. I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Stone crabs are very mean indeed, but I guess I would be too if someone was trying to rip my arms off.

 

[TheOtherLine]

What exactly is the proper technique to removing one claw without causing damage to the crab?

 

[ctown67]

The way i was taught was to hold the crab horizontally and snap the claw at a 90 degree angle down. You hold the claw and place your pinky at the joint closest to the body to help a clean break. the "pop" is pretty distinct and if done correctly, there is no meat sticking out of the break.
go get em.

 

[ctown67]

We got 56 Claws yesterday, including this 13oz claw. The traps are full these days and it's a little unnerving reaching into them with big boys like this in there. However my stomach usually wins out and in we go.

 

[Megabyte]

Dang. :shock:
With claws that size, I'd need to think twice before sticking my hand in there!