How to Crab in Beaufort

The Beaufort waterways are heavily populated with the Atlantic Blue Crab. These are some of the tastiest crabs out there, and when cooked fresh, well, your taste buds will be screaming for more. Fortunately, crabs are very easy to catch and require very inexpensive gear. Crabbing is an activity the entire family can participate in, and can be a lot of fun. Unlike fishing, crabs are always "biting", (or shall we say clawing ).

All you need to crab is a piece of string, most people use either nylon or cotton, as the crab really doesn't care much. A weight (an old spark plug could even work), a long handle net, a cheap one will do just fine, your bait, (chicken necks work the best),
and a bucket to put all the crabs you catch. And... most important...
your good luck fishin' hat. That's it.

Take the string and tie the weight to one end. Then take your bait, (again a chicken neck... because they are tough, and the crabs don't eat it quickly), and tie it next to the weight. Nothing fancy, just wrap the string around the bait tightly and tie a knot around it. Tie a stick to the other end and you are ready.

The best places to go are boat landings, little tidal creeks, or really anywhere there is an open space around salt water. Piers and docks are fine too. You don't need a boat, just stand on the bank. The best times are near low tide, or what the crabbers call ebb tide, day or night. The crabs are close to the shoreline and actively feeding.
Just throw out your bait and wait until you feel a little tug or pulling on the string.

Then... slowly pull the bait in, in a steady motion, the crab will hang on until it is almost on shore. When you can begin see it, scoop the crab up into the net. The best way to net a crab is to bring the net in from behind the crab. He can't see it coming that way. It may take a few lost crabs to get the hang of it. The kids make an excellent netter.
Once netted, just dump the crab into the bucket, and get ready for the next one.
Pretty soon... you've got a bucket of crabs.
If you are only going to be out a few hours,
no water is required in the bucket.

beaufort crabbing

To cook, you need a big pot. Fill it about 1/2 to 3/4 full of water. Bring to a full boil.
You can season the water with whatever you like, crab boil season works good, or just some lemon pepper is fine. After the water boils, just place the crabs into the pot, now here's the bad part. They are still alive, but rest assured, they feel no pain. Leave them in the pot until they turn red. That's it. They are now done.
( It does not take long, so don't over cook )

EMS117 : Beaufort Medical Warning

Be very careful handling the crab. The claws are it's main defense and he definitely is an expert at using them. A long pair of pliers or a barbecue or salad tongs work the safest. Also be careful of the spines on the sides of it's shell, they are pin sharp. They can be very painful!

Once the crab turns red, take it out and put it on a large plate. Here's the messy part, getting to the meat. This is definitely an outside or big sink job. Break the shell in half, then separate the top shell. The meat will be white and is found towards the sides,
near the legs. Get the meat out and put in a bowl or plate, being careful not to get any of the black or gray stuff mixed in with the white meat. The black stuff is the lung, and can not be safely eaten. Then break open the claws, and get all the meat within, everything in the claw is good. Once the meat is out, the rest will come natural... Enjoy... it will definitely be worth all that mess!!

When crabbing, most of the crabs you will catch will be Blue crabs.
But now and then, you will catch a different looking crab... a crab that is
redish brown in color with huge mean looking claws... the Stone Crab.

Stone Crab Claw, crabs in Beaufort and Hilton Head Island , SC
Stone Crab Claw next to a U.S. quarter

You can not keep him, but you can take one claw, provided he has two, and it must be the largest one. That is state law. The claw is definitely worth taking, as it is a most special treat. The crab will live just fine with one claw. To remove, gently pin the crab to the ground, your foot works fine, just don't crush him, and grab (careful as they pack a lot of power in their claw), and twist the claw off at the body. Then release the crab back to the water. The crab will regenerated another claw to replace the lost claw.
To cook, do exactly the same as with Blue crabs.

License : For this method of crabbing, none required.

Season : None

Quantity : No limit

Must be at least 5" wide ( measure across the shell, point to opposite point)

Restricted : No female crabs with eggs present may be kept.
( on the bottom of shell, will look like sponge )

Stone crab claws : Must be at least 2 �" at forearm.