Blue Crabbing on Cape COd

We searched high and low for the best Blue Crabbing on Cape Cod…and we found it!  We asked around at the Bait shop, we tried the Conservation lands just North of the Inn, we tried 3 different bridges, we tried chicken on a string, dip nets, traps, and finally found the best success at the most ridiculous spot given to us by our Pizza guy!  Ridiculous because the crabs float right by for easy scooping.  But, we will get to that in a bit…

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Blue Crabbing | The Gear

Time to gear up for Blue Crabbing on Cape Cod.  It can be as simple as just grabbing a net or as much of a pain as you want it to be.  Personally I am not a fan of messing with rotten chicken but, I will to catch crabs.  So, the choices for crabbing are:

-Dip net (only if you find the right spot)

Note: Get a wide rimmed net with LARGE mesh holes.  The less drag in the water the quicker you can grab the crabs.

-Double ringed dip net (best off bridges)

-Trap (best used to supplement your catch)

-Chicken pieces on a string and a net

There’s no reason not to have several methods going at once, the more crab the better.

Blue Crabbing | Location

There are a couple details you can see in the above picture that makes for a great crabbing spot.  Visibility helps a lot, deeper water that flattens out to shallow water is best.  The heavier crabs will ride the bottom and shoot out to the shallows for food.  Moving water is a must.  I have heard that two hours before high tide and two hours after are the best times but, it seems hit or miss to me.  Our secret spot is where the river flushes the crabs under a bridge, through a 4 foot culvert, and they are ready to be scooped right out!  If you stay at the Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn and book a Crabbing Package we will show you the way.  No permits necessary.

Blue Crabbing | Catch ‘Em

When you are Blue Crabbing on Cape Cod, technique is as important as gear and location.  There’s nothing to working a trap, double ringed dip net, or scooping them out of the water as they swim by.  Crabbing with a chicken on a string is a different deal altogether.  It is not difficult, you just need patience and a quick hand.  We have found success tossing the chicken (which we let rot for a few days) out to deeper water and let it sit.  When a crab gets a hold of it they tend to yank and then pull sideways.  If you reel it in really slow you can snag them before they let go.  The blue crab is an aggressive creature and will hold onto the chicken pretty well if you don’t go too fast.  When scooping, come at them from the side and finish with an upwards stroke.  They swim sideways so you already have a 50% chance, the upwards stroke at the end is the clincher.  If it’s in, it’s not getting out that way.

Blue Crabbing | Crab Fest!

After Blue Crabbing on Cape Cod, there is nothing quite like a Crab Fest!  Cooking is simple: steamer basket in a pot, 2 inches or so of liquid (half beer and half water), pour in some Old Bay Seasoning, and boil.  The liquid should be just under the steamer basket, the crabs don’t actually sit in it.  When it is boiling, place the crabs in layers, bring the beer/water back to a boil, and steam for 10 minutes.  That is it.  Lay out some newspaper, grab some mallets, and enjoy the results of a great day Blue Crabbing on Cape Cod.

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