A typical days catch on the crab boat are the seafood you see below. Although I catch other things like Octopus, Softshell crabs, Flounder, etc, this is what a typical catch looks like.
These are Female crab or #3's. Female crabs can be identified by their red tipped claws and shape of their underside apron. Females are prized for the eggs they carry internally certain times of the year. They are typically found closer to the ocean and salty waters.
Male Crabs are also known as "Jimmies" and are graded between #2, #1, and Jumbos. They have deep blue color on their larger claws. Males are found in more brackish water during the hottest months of the summer.
Whelks are caught in abundance during the spring and fall. They seem to be attracted to the crabs as food. They have a unique flavor and texture. I like to cook them into a creamy soup.
Stone Crabs are found in areas where shellfish thrive since clams and oysters are one of their favorite meals. You remove the claw from the live crab and return it to the water. The Claw meat is rich and delicious and must be cooked immediately to there more common red color.
The traps do the work, I just bait em' and shake em !
