Blue Claws live in the bay where there is lots of warm water and muddy floors. Maryland has become known as a premier place to get Blue Claws because of the Chesapeake Bay. We like to catch them at our secret channel marker on the Barnegat Bay. I can’t tell you exactly where if I wanted to, but I’ll hint that it is near West Point Island. If you don’t want to go crabbing, or they are not biting, then try the fish markets.

Catching crabs is not hard and it is especially fun for kids. What makes it so easy is that crabs have got to be the stupidest creatures on earth. All you need is some string, some bait and a net. Our crab tackle box is actually setup with a spring clamp (you can get at any bait and tackle shop), a string, and a clothes pin. You put the bait in the clamp, lower it to the bay floor, and use the clothes pin as a tie-off so you don’t lose your line. When the line goes taught, slowly pull them up and net ‘em. Tip: have the net in the water before the crab reaches the surface so you don’t have to splash. And don’t worry, because of their stupidity they will hang on for a long time, even right out of the water, before they realize, “hey, this isn’t normal”.

There are traps you can use, too, where you just pull them up, but they aren’t as fun and I don’t find them as effective either. Lastly there is the Maryland crab trap you leave in overnight; good if you own a space for it.

For bait, you can use just about any meat. Raw chicken parts and pieces are cheap and easy to get. You can also use mossbunker (a bait fish), or any other fish. I found squid works especially well.

Keep your crabs in a bucket, and cover them with a wet towel. An ice pack will keep them calm and cool. Their pinch will hurt and can cut you, so keep your fingers away. If one gets loose, step on it from behind (with sneakers please) and pick it up it up holding it from behind one of the rear fins; or use tongs.

Have I wandered too far off the Hop Talk theme? Not at all, because enjoying a cold beer while out in the hot sun with a nice bay breeze is the best. You can crab from a bulk head, by a bridge, or out in a boat. Enjoy a hefe, like Victory’s Sunrise, or Sam’s Summer Ale. (And remember, if you are driving the boat, drink responsibly.)