Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs
 

I was heading North out of Baltimore yesterday afternoon and diverted over to RT 40 because of a traffic accident on RT 95.

This seems early in the season, but much to my surprise there were several (5-6) crab trucks selling live crabs along a short stretch of RT 40.

How are the crabs running this year? ((b))

Last Saturday, at the barbershop I get my hair cut at on the Eastern Shore, the fella ahead of me worked at a crab house. He said that crabs are running better this year than last. However, most crabs sold in Maryland currently are coming from Louisiana and the Carolinas and this will be the case for much of June.

I heard they were running same as last year....sideways! :-D

back when the season started in april, i remember hearing that the watermen were pulling in bushels right out of the gate. usually it is slim pickings that early. something to do with the mild winter or something. prices don't seem much lower for local picked crab though.

I saw one sign for $15 a dz. That is a little steep.

I like to come down and catch my own, especially if they're running sideways. :-) ((b))

Oh Budman, $15/dozen is a bargain these days. We were at the Delaware shore last weekend. One restaurant we looked in was selling the largest ones for $60 a dozen.

Budman, I've got a message in to one of my brothers who lives on a tributary to the Chesapeake, not far from Chesapeake City if you're familiar with the area. He loves to crab and he knows where to buy them. I'll report back once I hear something.

Too bad there's not a crab emoticon! :-)

I'm looking for a place near Annapolis. A couple of spots that I used to crab from have a fairly high quay wall that I think will be too dangerous for my 4 & 6 year old grandkids to bend over and scoop up the crabs with a net. I'm afraid they might fall in. :-( ((b))

Okay, my sister and her husband live in Bowie and have a place on Solomon's Island which I believe is close to Annapolis--I'll check with them.

Have you tried Sandy Point State Park? The long dock beside the boat launching area is a good spot. It's easiest to catch crabs when the tide is moving.

Hi Budman,

If this helps you at all my sister sent the following last night...

"I spoke with John, he said Annapolis doesn't allow any public fishing or crabbing because of the mess and smell. Our picks would be Sandy Point Park near Annapolis - web would probably tell him if they allow fishing & crabbing... John also said North Beach. It is south of Annapolis route 4 to route 260. They have a pier for fishing and crabbing however there is a fee."

AnnMarie_C, thanks. I appreciate the information. Sandy Point Park might be my best bet. I used to go on the Naval Academy grounds at Hospital Point, but I don't like the drop at the quay wall, especially with little ones. ((b))