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How to Catch Florida Crabs in Holes

Florida is home to many crab species, including stone crabs, fiddler crabs and blue crabs. While all these species live in holes, the stone crab is the only one that can be hunted from inside its hole. The other crabs need to be caught when they emerge from their holes, with a cast net on land or dip net or hand line in water.

Things You'll Need

Heavy gloves
Metal or plastic rod with 90-degree angle
Ruler
Ventilated container
Heavy cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Find shallow rock piles or jetties. Find a hole with sand and broken shells around the opening. This usually means that a crab has hollowed out the hole and lives there.
- 2
  Remove the crab from the hole. Use a short metal or plastic rod with more than a 90-degree angle. Do not use a rod with an angle less than 90 degrees, because that is considered a hook and is illegal. Use the rod to reach behind the crab and pull it out.
- 3
  Move the crab to a clear area.
- 4
  Measure the crab's claw. Carefully use a ruler to measure the crab's claw from the lower tip to the first elbow joint. The claw must be at least 2 ¾ inches to harvest.
- 5
  Pick up the crab. Press the back of the shell down with a stick. Don't push too hard, or you will break the shell. Just press hard enough to keep the crab still. Wearing gloves, place your thumbs where the swimming leg meets the shell and your index fingers where the swimming leg meets the underbelly. Tuck the rest of your fingers in, and the crab won't be able to pinch you.
- 6
  Place the crab in a ventilated container covered with a moist cloth. Do not place the crab on ice or in water; it will freeze to death or suffocate, respectively.

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