Get nets ready! Peak blue crab season is here

Peak blue crab season runs from July through October. Now is the time to catch a bunch of these tasty crustaceans. If you have young children, catching crabs with drop nets will keep them entertained for hours. It is a great family activity, and you will harvest a delicious dinner! 

When my children were little, drop-net crabbing was one of our favorite activities. Elliott and Maddie are now in their 30s, and drop net crabbing is still one of our regular activities. On hot summer weekends, it is not unusual to find us on the dock. Staying cool in the shade. Listening to music. Playing the Bimini Ring game. Drinking cold beverages. Drop net crabbing. Eating a steamed crab feast. More importantly, spending time together. 

Drop net crabbing is a simple process. The nets are inexpensive and readily available. We have at least two nets per person. I recommend adding a one-ounce weight to the bottom of the net and baiting up with whatever is readily available. Elliott and Maddie prefer fish heads. We usually have a few in our bait freezer. The head of a small mahi is one of our favorites. Tie it to the bottom of the net and you are good to go. If you don’t have ready access to fish heads, Publix sells chicken necks and backs that are cheap and make excellent crab bait. 

Moving water and structure are important elements to a successful crabbing adventure. We prefer to crab during peak tidal flow (rising or falling). Docks and oyster bars are great structures. Drop your net into the water. Wait a few minutes. Pull them in. More than likely, there will be a crab in the net. 

Important to note: a crab must be at least five inches from point to point in order to keep it. If it is, drop the crab into a dry five-gallon bucket and keep the bucket in the shade. 

In short order, you will catch enough crabs for dinner. Give it a try. Family entertainment will be the best catch of all.