Blue Fin Crabs
Blue fin crabs are a favorite in NJ. They can be captured from bays, creeks and even in the ocean. They are simple to catch and can be a lot of fun to harvest for the whole family. Here, we will go over the simple steps to catching crabs.
Step 1: Location
The best locations to gather bluefin crabs is the Bays and creeks. The Delaware Bay is one of the most fruitful bays in NJ. The small creeks like Alloway Creek also tends to harvest large numbers of crabs. Great Egg Harbor Bay is another bay that can be great at harvesring crabs. Try to keep close to banks and shallow areas of the bays and creeks. Blue fin crabs love moving about in the mud so the more mud the more crabs you'll harvest.
Step 2: Traps
There are 3 types of traps you can use. The first is the hand line. The hand line is just a string with a sinker and a piece of metal to hold the bait on. All you do is lower the line with bait into the water and wait until you start to feel activity. Then VERY slowly pull the crab to the top of the water and using a shrimp net to capture the crab. This method is the most difficult but also one of the more popular methods.
The Cage trap is the easiest method. These are great around piers, bridges or if you have a boat just tie a float to the rope so you can find them. I prefer to use at least 5 or 6 of these traps at once. This is a triangle or a box that has 3 or 4 sides that drops down when laying on the bottom and the sides pulls up when you tug on the string. You place the bait in the center and that is it, enjoy crabbing.
Commercial Pots are a more long term pot that you leave out for hours or days. At the time of this post you are allowed 5 commercial pots per vessel, but double check the shellfish committee to ensure this number is still correct. A violation of commercial pots can be a hefty fine. This pot is simple 1 way doors, usually very large. Just toss the bait in the bait holder and toss it over and check it seceral hours or days later. Do not go over a week in time frame or the crabs will likely die.
Step 3 Bait:
The best bait for crabs hands down are bunker. You can buy bunkers at your local tackle shop or you can catch them with a casting net. Other good bait is chicken, gizzards, bacon. Anything bloody or oily or greasy will often work wonderfully since crabs are scavengers.
Step 4 Size and Limits:
NJ blue fine crabs size limits for hard shell crabs is 4 and 1/2 inches. The max limits is 1 bushel per permit. A permit to harvest crabs is required in NJ. Click the vutton below to purchase the permit online.
Step 1: Location
The best locations to gather bluefin crabs is the Bays and creeks. The Delaware Bay is one of the most fruitful bays in NJ. The small creeks like Alloway Creek also tends to harvest large numbers of crabs. Great Egg Harbor Bay is another bay that can be great at harvesring crabs. Try to keep close to banks and shallow areas of the bays and creeks. Blue fin crabs love moving about in the mud so the more mud the more crabs you'll harvest.
Step 2: Traps
There are 3 types of traps you can use. The first is the hand line. The hand line is just a string with a sinker and a piece of metal to hold the bait on. All you do is lower the line with bait into the water and wait until you start to feel activity. Then VERY slowly pull the crab to the top of the water and using a shrimp net to capture the crab. This method is the most difficult but also one of the more popular methods.
The Cage trap is the easiest method. These are great around piers, bridges or if you have a boat just tie a float to the rope so you can find them. I prefer to use at least 5 or 6 of these traps at once. This is a triangle or a box that has 3 or 4 sides that drops down when laying on the bottom and the sides pulls up when you tug on the string. You place the bait in the center and that is it, enjoy crabbing.
Commercial Pots are a more long term pot that you leave out for hours or days. At the time of this post you are allowed 5 commercial pots per vessel, but double check the shellfish committee to ensure this number is still correct. A violation of commercial pots can be a hefty fine. This pot is simple 1 way doors, usually very large. Just toss the bait in the bait holder and toss it over and check it seceral hours or days later. Do not go over a week in time frame or the crabs will likely die.
Step 3 Bait:
The best bait for crabs hands down are bunker. You can buy bunkers at your local tackle shop or you can catch them with a casting net. Other good bait is chicken, gizzards, bacon. Anything bloody or oily or greasy will often work wonderfully since crabs are scavengers.
Step 4 Size and Limits:
NJ blue fine crabs size limits for hard shell crabs is 4 and 1/2 inches. The max limits is 1 bushel per permit. A permit to harvest crabs is required in NJ. Click the vutton below to purchase the permit online.
We hope this article helps you get started in your crabbing adventures. Bring a friend or the whole family and have a fun and safe day on the waters. We will see you out there, Good Luck and Happy Crabbing!!!
