Chesapeake Bay

Crabbing requires long and grueling hours, sometimes out in some of the worst elements. Depending on where you live, there are several terms for the occupation of crabbing including watermen, fishermen, or just plain old crabbers. Those who make a living by fishing, crabbing, and oystering, on the Chesapeake Bay in particular, are referred to as watermen. Many come from generations of crabbers, and they continue to keep the art alive. They work long days and are seeing fewer crabs, as there are not the amount of crabs around today as there were in the past. But the watermen persist, often working ten plus hours a day. Some are up as early as 4 A.M. and out on their boats, keeping the age-old traditional alive as they set sail in search of fish, crabs and oysters.

Most watermen understand that it is necessary to have restrictions and regulations in place to protect the resources. With this said, they need to implement these rules in a manner which still allows the watermen to stay in business. Watermen still want to be able to go out and make a living off of the water. It will take environmental groups, government agencies, and watermen working together to find a happy medium. Some towns on the Chesapeake Bay that once flourished as fishing and crabbing communities have no watermen left.

Almost every waterman will tell you that they love their job and being on the water. Most watermen really enjoy what they do for a living. It is their history, their living and the only future they hope to sustain. Most watermen make their livelihood on the water, usually working until they no longer can. Some boat owners are struggling to stay afloat in this ever-changing market. Watermen are the most independent group, so it makes it difficult to form a commercial buyers corporation. If they did create this type of corporation it could help to alleviate the cost that is produced by having a middleman and they could potentially see more profit.

The crabbing industry has changed significantly over the years. Many watermen find that the catch has decreased and the prices have not changed enough to reflect that fact. Watermen are catching less live crab, and spending more money on fuel and bait. Most watermen are in the business for life, or at least want to be. There are many trials and tribulations that watermen have faced throughout the years and they will continue to face as crab populations dwindle and regulations become stricter.

A simple, well-known and loved tradition is the art of crabbing, and one of the best places on earth to experience crabbing is the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

There are several different methods that can be used if you want to go crabbing. For the beginner, the easiest method of crabbing is to use a hand line and crab net. The next best method would be to just take a crab net and wade through the water searching for the little buggers. This technique requires no bait and is an extremely simple, no frills way to catch live crab. Traps and pots can also be used for recreational crabbing. For commercial purposes crab pots, trotlines or a crabbing dredge are traditionally used.

For recreational purposes, or if you are just starting out, you may want to attempt the tried and true method of the string and bait technique. This technique uses chicken neck (available at your local grocer), which crabs love and the cost won’t burn a hole in your wallet. Another item you will need if you are going to try using string and chicken neck to catch crab is a dip net (a.k.a. crab net).  This allows you to scoop the crab out of the water once it starts to nibble on the bait and you have pulled them close enough to the surface to reach them. It is a good idea to have something with you to measure your catch. In most states, the legal size for a crab is 5 inches, from point to point. If it is any smaller you must release it back into the water. In order to store your catch it is good to bring along a galvanized tub, bucket, or basket (such as a wooden bushel basket), whichever you prefer.

First, you start out with some heavy string, a round rock (about two pounds to weigh down your line), some day-old raw chicken still on the bone, your crab net and a good spot to perch, such as a dock, bridge, or even on a boat and something to store what you catch. Once you have found a good spot to hang the line from, half the work is already done. Next, set the chicken on the stone and begin wrapping them together with the string until they are well secured with the stone under the chicken. Leave enough string to tie the line to a pier or boat. When the line is resting on the bottom the string should be slightly loose, not taut. Leave the line alone for a few minutes. Eventually a crab will climb on top of the chicken to feast. Occasionally feel the string in your hands. When you feel the line vibrate, slowly pull it up hand over hand. Once the crab is visible, about 8 inches from the surface, transfer the string to one hand and place the crab net in the other. Swiftly scoop up the crab with the net.

If you want to catch more than one crab at a time, it would be wise to try using a metal crab pot. For the crab pot you will also need to use bait, such as day-old raw chicken and a crab net. Find a good spot to secure the crab pot such as a pier or a buoy and have a container on hand to store the crabs once they have been caught. Turn the crab pot on its top and fill the bottom cavity with raw chicken. Seal it with the lid provided and toss the crab pot into the water, topside up, with the string tied firmly to a pier or buoy. The pot must sit for at least one turn of the tide, or about 6 hours. To bring up the pot, grab hold of the string and pull hand over hand. Open the top and shake the crabs out into the galvanized tub or bushel basket that you have brought along to put them in. Take your catch home to make a delicious meal from your fresh crab meat.