What kind of crabs can you catch in Florida?

Asked by: Claudia Jones

In Florida, blue crab season is all year unless you’re crabbing further out than three miles from shore in the Gulf of Mexico or in federal waters. These short closures are by region—not state wide. Recreational crabbers are allowed to have up to five crab traps each, and you can catch blue crabs of any size.

What kind of crab do they catch in Florida?

Blue crabs are the most common of the three and are found throughout Florida. While they are saltwater creatures, they will tolerate fresh water. They are found along the entire, very long coast of Florida but also in its rivers and back waters.

Do you need a license to crab in Florida?

Recreational Regulations



Anyone harvesting stone crabs recreationally must have a Florida recreational fishing license. Claw size requirements for commercial harvest also apply to recreational harvest. Recreationally harvesting female crabs with eggs is prohibited. There’s a five trap maximum for each harvester.

Do you need a license for stone crab in Florida?

Requirements for Recreational Traps



Recreational fishers age 16 and older (including those normally exempt from needing a license) are required to complete an online, no-cost recreational stone and/or blue crab trap registration before using stone or blue crab traps.

Is it illegal to catch crabs in Florida?

It’s not illegal to catch and keep female crab in general, but it is illegal to catch and harvest female crabs that are egg-bearing. This is another effort to conserve the population of crab in Florida.

What does a Florida stone crab look like?

Florida stone crabs are a brownish red color with grey spots, and have unequally sized claws with black tips. Male Florida stone crabs have a larger pincher claw than females, who usually grow larger than males. They live up to eight years old. Females reach maturity at about two years old.

Is it legal to catch blue crab in Florida?

In Florida, blue crab season is all year unless you’re crabbing further out than three miles from shore in the Gulf of Mexico or in federal waters. These short closures are by region—not state wide. Recreational crabbers are allowed to have up to five crab traps each, and you can catch blue crabs of any size.

What is crab season in Florida?

Florida stone crab season has a seven month window. It runs from Oct. 15 through May 15 every year in the Sunshine State.

How much is a crabbing license in Florida?

The Following Endorsements Require the SPL and RS

What is the best bait for crabbing?

12 Best Crab Bait

1. Crab Attractant. Crab attractants are usually made from natural fish oil and other baits. …
2. Chicken Necks and Other Parts. Chicken necks are the best bait to catch blue crabs. …
3. Razor Clams. …
4. Anchovies/Small Fish. …
5. Mink Carcasses. …
6. Turkey Necks. …
7. Squid. …
8. Salmon Head.

How big do blue crabs have to be to keep in Florida?

LEGAL SIZE OF BLUE CRABS



It is unlawful to take or possess any crab that is less than 5 inches from spike to spike across the back (other than a “peeler” or a mature adult female crab).

Are blue crabs good eating?

The blue crab is a much-prized type of seafood that provides delicious tender meat that is mildly briny, with a subtle sweet undertone. It makes good eating on its own and also pairs well with a wide range of other flavors. This crab is likely to appeal to most people as it has no offensive or overpowering taste.

Where can you find land crabs in Florida?

Land Crab Migration Featured in



Massive crab invasions have been observed recently in Miami Dade County, near Miami, in Martin County, and in Port St. Lucie. Blue land crabs live in tropical zones along the Atlantic coast. Their size is quite impressive: adult species reach 6 in (15 cm) in diameter.

What does a Florida land crab look like?

The giant land crab is the largest of Florida’s semi-terrestrial crabs. This animal can measure up to 6 in (15 cm) across its carapace (Figure 1). In its juvenile form, the crab is a dark brown, purple, or orange in color. As an adult, it is a bluish-gray color.

Can you eat a land crab?

Land crabs are also edible, at least the claw and leg meat. Because they eat cultivated plants, pesticides may accumulate in the internal organs and it is for this reason that only the claw and leg meat should be eaten.

How do you catch crabs in Florida?

And grab some good fresh bait you always hear people talking about stinky bait I like fresh bait and I like bait that the that the crabs would naturally be eating.

What is the best month to catch crabs?

Fall is the best time of year to catch crab. During the months of September to November, crabs begin to “fill out” and will contain more meat.

Where is the best crabbing in Florida?

In Brevard County, the area of the Banana River and Barge Canal near the Port Canaveral Locks had the highest crab yields. “The area of the Banana River by the locks is the hot spot; we see an abundance of very large blue crabs there,” said Richard Paperno, the biologist in charge of the Indian River field lab.

What’s the best time to catch crabs?

The best time to catch crabs is while the water is moving, especially when the tide is coming in. As high tide approaches, crabs are pulled toward shore as they actively feed on tiny aquatic creatures that are stirred up by the moving water; this makes them easier to find and catch.

How deep do you fish for crab?

They are typically caught somewhere between 600 feet deep and the intertidal zone, or the part of the ocean that is underwater during the high tide and exposed during low tide.

How do you crab from shore?

And just chill down there so we're gonna throw the crab line in the channel hold it until you feel a little tug reel in slowly.

Is it better to crab at high tide?

Most crabbing enthusiasts agree that the ideal time to crab is during slack tide, the time just around or after a high or low tide. The reason is that during slack tide, crabbers can reach deeper levels of water from a pier or seashore than at low tide.

How long do you leave a crab trap in the water?

You don’t want to leave your crab traps in the water for more than six to eight hours, since once the bait is gone the crabs will turn on each other, often resulting in one large survivor-crab.

How do you pick up crabs?

Put your thumb and one finger either side of the crab’s shell, just below the base of the pincer legs. When you have a good grip ‘under the armpits’, you can pick the crab up without being pinched. If you’re picking up a large crab, you’ll need a hand each side. Hold a crab under the armpits of its pincer legs.

Is crabbing better at night?

Crabs are nocturnal, making nighttime the best time to go crabbing. It’s a relaxing experience and you usually have the water to yourself. Nighttime crabbers also have a secret weapon: flashlights. Crabs are drawn to the light, which makes for a large catch.

How do you catch crabs on the beach in Florida at night?

Head to the beach as soon as it gets dark. Shine your flashlight and watch them scamper across the sand. When a ghost crab is caught in a flashlight beam, they generally freeze for a few seconds before scampering away. This is a great time to snap a picture or surround the crab if the kids want to try catching one.