When is crab season and where can I get the best soft-shelled crabs in Maryland?

Check out this site:

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/commercial/SummaryofProposedCrabActions.html

As far as finding the best soft-shell crabs in Maryland, that is a matter of opinion. There are many places that serve them, when they are available. You shouldn't have to travel too far.

Sorry, I gave you the commercial site instead of recreational. The season started April 1 and goes to December 15:

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/crab/2002crabproposal.htm

Maryland is a big state. Where are you going to be? Depending on that different people might give you different info.

The later in the season it gets, the bigger and cheaper the crabs are.

I always think of soft-shells coming in earlier.

As for the best ones? The eastern part of the state by the bay, Baltimore, Annapolis, Eastern shore, although I'm sure you could find some tasty ones in Washington DC as well.

Unless you're doing the crab tour of Maryland, you should go to baltimore in the summer. Head over to Fells Point and fill up on great crab at Captain James Landing-it looks like a boat. Enjoy.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm going to visiting D.C. then driving through Baltimore, Annapolis and spending a day in Ocean City. Does anybody have any recommendations for specific restaurants?

Good soft-shells are a function of being harvested as soon as they shed their shell, and not being long out of the water.

Among the best I ever had were those I'd occasionally catch off a wharf in Tylerton, and take inside to ahve my grandmother cook. I know that when my mother made the trip back up from Smith Island in the summer, she always brought back soft-shells (still living, of course,) nestled in moist eel-grass.

And by default, they were eaten right away. I've never found them to freeze well.

Jim,

Jimmy Cantler's is an institution in Annapolis. It's off the beaten path, but it gets packed on the weekend. It's a great Maryland crabhouse. Casual to say the least, it's on the water.

I second Cantler's in Annapolis, its a must. They have tanks below the restaurant, where they put the peelers (just b/4 they become soft-shells)...ymmm..

In Baltimore - O'Bryckie's - best crabs and best crab cakes

Annapolis - Jimmy Cantlers for crabs

We are a B&B located in Baltimore and for the folks that are looking for the real Maryland crab house experience, we send them to the locals places - Costas or Bill's Terrace Inn in East Baltimore. O'Brycki's is an institution in Baltimore, but we found it touristy and my husband didn't like the lemon pepper spice as well as the traditional Old Bay.

Have a good trip!

The beast place for soft shells is to wait until you come down to the shore and Ocean City. Once you are there you need to go to Captains galley in West Ocean City by the docks and enjoy either crab cakes or soft shells or wonderful shrimp salad. This place will give you the traditional flavor of the Eastern Shore. Enjoy the trip