Shrimping and Crabbing

Selecting the Right Crabbing Gear for You

Ever considered grabbing up a few crabbing supplies and catching your own crab? Maybe you already do but surprisingly, a lot of boaters haven't bothered. If you haven't yet given crabbing a shot, or just want to take a look at what Go2marine has to offer in the way of crabbing gear, read on.

Crabbing Gear for the Gastronomically Inclined

Ah, the beauty of the lowly, and some would even say, ugly crab. This perpetually angry-looking crustacean is low in calories, fat, and carbs, yet high in protein and omega 3's, and tastes divine--what could be better? In fact, these guys with the crabby attitudes are so low in fat (< 1oz. per 3 oz. of crab, depending on the type), even dieters could probably afford a few delicious dunks in some melted butter.

Perhaps the only thing that could be better than treating yourself to fresh crab at an upscale restaurant or a funky yet fabulous little crab shack, would be to catch it yourself and cook it the same day--the sooner, the better. While it's not unheard of for someone spending a relaxing afternoon fishing off their local dock to haul in a crab instead of a flounder, it's highly unlikely. And if it did happen, chances are good that it would be a female crab (illegal to keep), too small, or the wrong kind of crab.

But you can go crabbing right from your local dock, if local laws allow for it. All you need are crab pots,crab bait, and rope. There is special crab rope that you can buy, but just about any rope that can stand up to salt water for a few hours will work, since you will hopefully not be leaving your gear unattended while waiting waiting for your favorite crustaceans to enter your underwater dining room. Or maybe you will, if you live in the kind of rare town where you can trust folks not to steal your meal.

Another reason the type of rope doesn't much matter is, since the water depth at the end of most docks isn't very deep, it's pretty easy to haul the crab pots up by hand, with no crab hauler needed. This can be an easy, inexpensive, and fun way to spend an afternoon alone or with the kids, especially if you don't have a boat. The bonus is, while your waiting for the crabs to make their way to the chow hall, you can put your trusty fishing pole to use.

This is by far not the best method of crabbing, however. For one thing, it's a sad fact that many bays are polluted either by natural circumstances like algae blooms, or human-caused like failing private septics. Or some cities with old septic facilities that can no longer handle the load, so they occasionally release sewage into the bays in the middle of the night and claim there was a "leak" or a "break"; thus, crabbing further away from shore may be better for your health.

Other reasons dock crabbing may not be so great is, you're just not going to catch as many crab, or as many big ones; nor will you have the fun of a boat ride. This is where things like a crab buoy,crab line, and other crabbing supplies come in. And thanks to the huge commercial crabbing operations, the recreational crabber can reap some benefits from them such as the innovations in gear, clothing, and knowledge.

Crabbing gear, such as crab pots, crab rope, and crab bait cages are not much different between the commercial equipment and those available for the recreational crabber. There is of course, the obvious difference in size. Commercial crab pots usually range from medium to very large and recreational crabbing supplies from lightweight to medium.

This has mainly to with the amount of use the equipment endures and the hauling equipment. Crab pots are set at depths varying anywhere from 20’ to 80’ and even retrieving a lightweight crab pot from those depths by hand is taxing, especially when the trap has successfully snared a good haul. Do this a few times a day by hand (or maybe even once), and you'll appreciate the idea of a pot puller, also called a crab hauler.

A crab hauler such as one of the Ace Line Hauler's, is a wondrous device that hauls the crab pots from the briny deep so you don't have to. A crab hauler such as this, or something simillar like one from Discovery Bay is a piece of equipment that no crabber should go without. The smaller pullers are electrically driven while the larger units typically found for commercial use are usually hydraulically driven.

There are a few exceptions that some commercial fishers use, such as gasoline powered crab haulers. Commercial crab pots are available in different sizes with some being so large that they are moved around on deck by a crane. But for the rest of us who prefer our home waters and decks over the freezing, wild ocean waters of Alaska and the decks of the Deadliest Catch fishing boats, the lighter crabbing gear will suit us just fine, thank you.

Important additional equipment is required for crabbing such as crab buoys, also called crab floats; crab rope, and crab bait, of course. Some of this crab gear is specified by local authorities, such as the color and markings of the crab buoy or crab float, and the type of crab line, so always check the local regulations before buying your crabbing supplies.

Crab is an incredibly delicious and healthy food, and crabbing is fun and rewarding, especially with the right gear and a good setup. Here at Go2Marine, we have the items you need to get out there and catch those delightful crustaceans, at prices that won't make you crabby.