Question about crabbing..

My mom told me she used to go crabbing all the time when she was younger in Ocean City. I don%26#39;t know about local laws or permits for visitors, so I wanted to know if it was still legal. If it is, where can I go to do it? We wanted to do it last year, but we didn%26#39;t have a kitchen to boil water.. hahaha. This year, though, we have a full kitchen so I thought I would take advantage of it.

LeeAnn

Question about crabbing..

Yes, it%26#39;s totally legal and you don%26#39;t need any permits for recreational crabbing. Just remember that the crabs must measure 5'; from point to point on the body of the main shell. Also, if you catch a female with eggs you should really think about putting it back in the water. The best bait to use with crabs are chicken necks.

Here are some public piers you can try from http://www.ocean-city.com/fishing/piers.html

9th Street Pier

Free public pier located on 9th Street and the bay. Use shiners or live minnows for flounder - squid strips for seabass and bluefish - worms for Norfolk spot.

Convention Hall

Free public bulkhead and pier behind Convention Hall at 40th Street. Good crabbing and fair fishing on the high tide. Use live minnows for flounder - bloodworms for spot and croaker.

Isle of Wight

Cross Rt. 90 Bridge at 62nd Street going west. At the flashing light in the center of the bridge (across from the Old Medical Center) turn left. Public area - good crabbing and light fishing. Use worms for spot and sand perch.

125th Street Pier

Public fishing and crabbing pier just north of the Recreational Center at 125th Street. Good crabbing and light fishing. Best on high tide. Use bloodworms for spot and sand perch.

Good Luck!

Question about crabbing..

Clarification:

Must measure a minimum of 5'; from point to point. Anything smaller must be put back.

So don%26#39;t forget your ruler %26amp; no ';cheating.';

I was crabbing one day near Rehoboth %26amp; the ';fish cops'; showed up. No warnings...they cited people for 4-7/8';, and the fines are not cheap.

This will be my first time crabbing.. What kind of supplies should I bring with me?

CHICKEN. Get some legs and thighs, some rope, a few weights, and a scoop net. I don%26#39;t use baskets myself. More fun to just chuck the line out, wait for a nibble, and bring them in!

You must bring them up slllooooowwwwwlllllyyyyyyyyyyyy! As soon as they see light or detect to much movement they will let go, so you gotta be quick with the net. Good luck, haven%26#39;t done it in years but have great childhood memories of it.

You can go also go over to Assateague and crab[ can also catch mussels and clams too].