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.
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.
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